Summer is officially upon us, and for some that means hitting the beach or going on a dream vacation to Europe. But if you would rather put on your hiking boots than have your feet in the sand or gaze at the mountainside instead of the streets of Monte Carlo, the great outdoors offers unique benefits.
Getting outside and connecting with nature has demonstrable health benefits beyond just getting away from the office. In fact, a 2015 study found that outdoor recreation can help Veterans with social reconnection, life-improving change, inner peace and psychological healing. Whether you opt for a peaceful tent-stay under the stars or an extended scenic adventure, as a Veteran you and your family have many options to save when planning your next expedition.
National and State Park passes
The U.S. contains some of the most beautiful natural areas in the world. Through the national and state park systems, one can experience the wonders that have inspired authors and artists for over a century.
In 2022, the U.S. National Park Service unveiled a lifetime pass for Veterans and Gold Star Families that provides free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges and forests. The pass also provides discounts on expanded amenities such as camping and guided tours. Learn more and get your lifetime pass here.
State operated parks also offer free passes and discounts for Veterans and their families. Though the military service and state residency requirements vary state to state, the website U.S. Veteran Camper has compiled a detailed listing of programs offered by each state here.
Military campgrounds
The Department of Defense operates campgrounds and recreational vehicle (RV) sites throughout the country on military installations and off-post recreation areas. These sites are open to active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retirees and DoD civilians. The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act also allowed access to DoD campgrounds to Veterans with a service-connected disability. These Veterans may present their Veterans Health Identification Card for entrance to the installation.
While camping fees may apply, campers receive the benefits of access to other installation facilities, such as the commissary, post exchange and movie theater. Use this state-by-state search tool to find a military campground near you and learn more about their fees and entry policies.
Commercial campground and camping accessory discounts
Many military and Veteran discounts are also available for stays at commercial campgrounds and parks. Save up to 20% on stays nationwide at these three resorts:
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park. Jellystone Park offers cabins, tent camping and RV sites at over 75 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Active duty and retired military save 10% year-round and 50% off on Veterans Day stays between Nov. 5-12, 2023.
Encore and Thousand Trails RV Resorts. Over 200 RV resorts and campgrounds in the U.S. and Canada exist within Encore and Thousand Oaks network. Active-duty and retired military save 20% off nightly rates up to 6 nights.
Sun Outdoors. A variety of resort and campground experiences from off-the-grid camping to RV sites and age 55+ communities are offered in the Sun Outdoor network with locations across 28 states. Active-duty military and Veterans save 20% on select RV, tent and vacation rental sites.
For the equipment, you will need to make the most of your camping experience, visit these stores for military and Veteran discounts:
Campmor. 10% off camping clothing and equipment for active-duty, Veterans and government employees with ID.me verification.
E-Z Up. 30% off tents, chairs and lighting accessories for active-duty, Guard, Reserve, Veterans and government employees.
Moosejaw. 20% off a variety of outdoor clothing and camping accessories for active-duty, retirees and Veterans with ID.me verification.
Yeti. 20% online on coolers, drinkware and outdoor living items for active-duty, Guard, Reserve and Veterans with ID.me verification.
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I work for the VA as an RN and my father was in the Navy. Do I qualify to get a discount?
Being a Vet, thank you
would like to learn how to get my pass. thank you
Can you tell me how do I get the U.S. Parks pass. I’m disabled 90%? I’m in Texas.
Wondering why we don’t have discounts for county parks??? Jackson county parks in Oregon was gifted out by State parks, at least they could offer some accommodations for Vets.
Oregon offers special use passes that give disabled vets (regardless of %) free access to day use state parks and up to 10 days free camping in state parks per calendar month regardless of state residency. https://stateparks.oregon.gov/?do=v.page&id=19
So we have to pay a fee to get into the parks why? Wouldn’t it be better if the parks where free to all Veterans?
This is putting out false information. Some of the federal recreation and camping sites near me are no longer honoring any National Pass. The NFS has contracted out to private companies that act as hosts. So my National Pass is no longer good for entry and day use. It’s funny, they will still give you 50% deduction for camping and will give you 50% deduction for day use, but no longer honor the National Passes for entry and day use. Here is the kicker, if you don’t want to pay the day use fee, they are offering to sell you their own version of the National Pass for $60. The are spitting on Vets, Gold Star Families, Seniors & the Disabled who possess a version of the National Parks Pass. I had been able to use my National Pass all over the US since 2010 without any problems. Someone needs to correct this injustice here in CA. I wonder if this problem is popping up all over the US. The name of the contracted hosts at these federal recreation sites is ExplorUS and Rocky Mountain Recreation Company.
I did the Grand Canyon back in 2012 and my national pass got me in with no problem. You sure your issue isn’t just in California? You know, the idiots that run that state do not like nor respect the military.
I have no problem at Grand Canyon or Death Valley. I’m sure the problem only exists at federal sites hosted by ExplorUS/Rocky Mountain. Unknown to me if these guys are in other states besides CA. Why is the NFS still selling lifetime passes if the passes are not being honored by ExplorUS at these federal rec sites in CA?
I live in California and there’s not even a little bit of truth in that statement, ‘don’t like nor respect the military’. I’m a Viet Nam Vet, 100% disabled and I’ve gotten noting but respect and honor for my service. So it’s not California, so it must be you.
This is also true in Florida’s Ocala National Forest. There are several National Recreational area’s that are run by “vendors” and they do not honor the National Parks Pass. They will sometimes offer 50% off or sell you a “Pass” for over $100 per year. The trouble is, there are different vendors for each Spring, or recreational area, and you have to buy a pass for each area. I have spoken to my Congressional Representative and they just kind of blow you off. Michael Waltz, pay attention if you are reading this!!
What about parks with boat ramps that charge for parking your car and trailer. These are often using scanners to charge for parking.
To clarify, none of the military passes offer discounts on extended amenities in National Parks. The only passes that offer those discounts are the Senior Passes. https://store.usgs.gov/assets/MOD/StoreFiles/pass/2021/NPS_4_Panel_brochure_2021.pdf
For further clarification, while Nichole is right in this statement, ANY VA disability rating qualifies someone for the Access Pass Lifetime. This does grant 50% camping and other discounts at National Parks and many National Forrest campgrounds and some others too.
The entire VA Medical system has become a grifting boondoggle for federal and state political leaders. As you can tell from this article, there is no true altruism toward veterans and barely any for active duty. People just don’t respect the military anymore because of what our military has become.
Without risking my retirement or dependent benefits, all I will say is that, what was once called Espirit(Force) de corp, is now replaced with DEI, ESG and the biggest pile of bureaucratic compliance regulations that have ever existed. If you know, you know…if not, you will before you retire.
Expect nothing that a recruiter says to be true and you’ll never be disappointed. Do expect a bunch of ego and empire building as a bunch of Academy and Ivy League graduates collectively try to transform our great military forces into socicialist dynasties that worship at the alters of promotion. Leadership has been infiltrated at every level by people who should never be allowed to carry a gun or be unsupervised around children…
Don’t take my gripe out of context; I don’t think we (veterans) deserve ANYTHING more than what we brought with us and I am grateful for every 5%-25% discount that is offered. My gripe is about how we (veterans) are used as a marketing gimmick for some retailers and agencies to appear patriotic while not jeopardizing their profit margin.
State and Federal Parks are the worst at throwing their irreverence in your face by employing Park Rangers, staff and camper hosts who will actively sabatoge your attempt to obtain “free” or discounted park passes. I had an NPS Park Ranger ask me if I was “a veteran who had been to war or was just one of the freeloaders who have never fought and was taking advantage of the system…”
This attitude is not isolated to specifically the NPS, it is a result of failed civilian and government leadership who refuse to recognize that the only reason that they are employed is because of the veterans who have fought and died for their freedom to complain about veterans getting a few token discounts.
I had a VA Medical Center director tell me that he did not understand why veterans act so entitled to medical care at the VA, “…vets are just people who volunteered to do something that other people didn’t.
I’ve heard Congressional Representatives and Senators telling their VA Liasons that they don’t like dealing with veterans because of their sense of entitlement.
Maybe I’m just “old school” but when I read the words engraved on the pillars and plaques across our great nation that say, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan,” I feel sick to my stomach when I hear people question veterans about their “entitlement.”
My motives for serving long enough to retire and use some if the “entitlements” that I am eligible for, IS nobody’s concern but mine. My blue ID card and DD-214 is all that is required to issue that Park pass, grant me access to whatever facility and is proof of my membership in the greatest fraternity that has ever existed on planet earth.
Karen, Felicia and all the other haters can go sit down and shut their yap.
Is the parking pass to the Great Smokey Mountains national park free for veterans?
Thank You!!
I’m confused, At the beginning of the newsletter about military passes, it said if you wanted to hike or pitch a Pop-up, tent the pass would save you money, but at the end of the offering it said camping not included, did I mis-read the article?
How much per cent of disability do you have to get on base privileges
100% disabled veterans can camp for free at State Parks in Ohio.
Must be Ohio state resident
As a 70% disabled veteran, we have investigated military campgrounds. If they are off of a base, no problem at all. If ON the base, only the veteran is allowed to go in unless the family has been vetted beforehand (like weeks beforehand). You can get a reservation, but you’re turned away at the gate! This has happened to us 3 times.
The Ft Rucker campground used to give a small discount to veterans and disabled veterans. Not any more! They also do not accept any of the passes like Gold Star or America the Beautiful passes. Boo Ft Rucker!
Are there discount condos or cabins for a 100% disabled veteran to stay on the Hawaiian Islands