Free Disability Access Pass to National Parks

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Free Disability Access Pass to National Parks

The Access Pass is part of the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series, is a free pass being offered for America’s disabled to gain access to use at over 2,000 Federal recreation sites across the nation, including National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and many National Forest lands.

The Access Pass can also be used at other federal recreation areas that are not labeled national parks.

Who Qualifies?

You may claim your free Access Pass if you have a permanent disability, although it doesn’t have to be a 100% disability.

The disability must severely limit one or more major life activities.

You must be a permanent resident or United States citizen.

The Access Pass includes adults and children with permanent disabilities.

Caregivers are able to enter the federal recreation sites for free when accompanying a disabled child. Photo identification will be requested to verify pass ownership.

How to Get Your Free National Parks Disability Access Pass

You can obtain your Access Pass at one of these specific federal recreation sites.

Please be aware that not all sites have these passes available on their site, so be sure and check this list to see which federal recreation sites have them.

 List of all federal recreation sites (PDF)

You can also obtain your free Access Pass online.

Please be aware that although the pass is totally free, there is a $10.00 processing fee to do it online.

Access Passes are available online

If you forget your pass at home, you can either obtain another Access Pass with proper documentation or pay the standard fee.

Required Documentation

• Statement by a licensed physician which must include that the individual has a permanent disability, that it limits one or more aspects of their daily life and the nature of those limitations.

• Documents issued by federal agencies such as the Veteran’s Administration, Social Security Disability Income, or Supplemental Security Income

• Document issued by a state agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency

How to Use the Free Pass

The free Access Pass will admit the pass owner and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas.

Where per-person fees are charged, it admits the Access Pass owner and up to three adults.

Children under 16 are always admitted for free.

If your group is spread across two vehicles, the Access Pass will only count towards one vehicle.

The Access Pass will, typically, give the pass holder many discounts, including:

• Campsites
• Utility hookups
• Boat launches
• Guided tours

***Each site may vary in the discounts it offers***

What to Bring

Here’s a list of some things you should consider bringing along on your trip to the National Parks:

• water
• healthy camp food and snacks
• a first-aid kit
• comfortable shoes
• sunglasses
• a hat
• sunscreen
• gloves
• bug spray
• a map
• emergency numbers
• a whistle in case family members get lost or separated
• charged cellphones
• a change of clothing
• a flashlight
• a camera
• a journal and pen/pencil
• a backpack to carry everything easily

What would you add to these lists?

Leave a comment and let me know.

Find a National Park to Get Free Pass

Here is a PDF list of Federal Recreation Areas where Access Passes are issued on site for free without any processing fees.

Let’s Go!

• Grab your Access Pass
• Plan out a trip to start visiting national parks for free.
• Pack your backpack with all of the essential items you will need while visiting the national parks.
• Breathe in the fresh air
• Take lots of pictures
• Leave the parks in good condition for the next visitors.

Frugal Family Fun

What could be more frugal and more fun than free passes to our national parks and campgrounds!

Let me know in the comments if you get your free passes.