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Free National Park Entrance for All American Veterans and Gold Star Families for Life
How many people believe all American veterans and Gold Star families should have a lifetime of free entrance passes to all of our national parks?
Of course, they should!
Why would this ever be a question?
When you take your oath, if you go into the service, to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, you really are protecting the homeland. I think this is a great recognition of that responsibility you took on to serve your nation. – National Park Service’s new director Chuck Sams
A New Act Signed into Law
In 2020, the Department of Interior temporarily allowed free access to national parks and other public lands to our veterans and Gold Star families, but this act which was just signed into law makes it permanent.
Places, such as the Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and more are now totally free for our veterans and Gold Star families to visit.
How to Gain Free Entrance if You are a Veteran
The free entrance can be gained simply by showing proper forms of identification, which may include:
- DoD ID card
- Veteran Health Identification card
- Veteran ID card
- State-issued card displaying veteran status
How to Gain Free Entrance if You are a Gold Star Family Member
Gold Star Family members must download and print a voucher to present to park staff, exchange for an Interagency Military Pass, or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites.
Make sure you download and print this voucher BEFORE attempting to enter a national park for free because only the printable form of the voucher will be accepted.
View a list of federal locations that issue passes.
This signed voucher is self-certifying proof that you are truly a Gold Star Family member and therefore meet all of the required criteria as identified in sections 3.2 and 3.3 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.
The self-certifying voucher states:
I hereby affirm that I am an eligible next of kin (NOK) of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a qualifying situation, such as war, an international terrorist attack or a military operation outside of the United States while serving in the United States Armed Forces, as identified in sections 3.2 (Qualifying Situation) and 3.3 (Eligible NOK) of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.
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
Every state has a lot of national parks to visit.
GO HERE to find more information about the national parks you can visit.
Let’s Go!
- Grab you ID
- Print out your pass, if you are a Gold Star family member
- 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
This is an amazing way to enjoy some frugal family fun this year, and it’s an excellent way to honor our troops and their families!
Thank you for all you do and have done, Veterans and Gold Star Families!
I hope you enjoy your lifetime free passes!
Free National Park Entrance for 4th Graders and Their Families
Do you have a 4th grader?
They can get into our National Parks, along with their families, for free too!
All current 4th-grade students can receive a free pass to all of America’s national parks.
This includes home-schooled students who are between 9 and 11 years of age.
Each one of the fourth-graders immediate family members will also be admitted for free.
Just make sure you have your 4th-grader in the car with you.
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