New National Park Military Pass

I just read about this on a post by Harry C. in the New Sweden BMW Riders forum:

The President has just signed authorization for a new America the Beautiful Military Pass.
Any veteran qualifies for this pass that will save you a lot of money if you're visiting our National Parks or one of the other federal recreational facilities.
The entrance fees to our National Parks have skyrocketed in the last few years. The Senior Pass used to be $10 and is now $80 (and still a good deal).
There is a $10 fee for this pass and it's a really great deal.
The Forest service and Corp of Engineer campsites are a great deal out West and range from similar to a commercial Campground to way out there.
Check it out: https://store.usgs.gov/faq#Military-Pass

Here's how it will look:



Looking at the rules, it seems that a DD-214 is not usable for certifying military service. However, a veteran's designation on a state driver's license is.

A good deal, indeed.

Wow. I do have my $10 Senior Pass but if I lose it, or it gets mutilated like my prior one did, I now have two choices: $80 for a new Senior Pass or $10 for the Military Pass. Interesting!

FYI, the senior pass is available when you hit 62. And it is a good deal, even at $80.

During the Great Falls rally the wife and I rode out to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center with another couple and I was surprised to learn my pass not only got my wife and I in, but the other couple as well as it is good for 4 people. Very cool.

Rich said:

FYI, the senior pass is available when you hit 62. And it is a good deal, even at $80.

During the Great Falls rally the wife and I rode out to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center with another couple and I was surprised to learn my pass not only got my wife and I in, but the other couple as well as it is good for 4 people. Very cool.

Click to expand...

I didn't know we could get by with one pass. I knew in a car we could both get in with one pass but thought we would each need a pass when on the bikes.

Lee said:

I didn't know we could get by with one pass. I knew in a car we could both get in with one pass but thought we would each need a pass when on the bikes.

Click to expand...

You are correct with what you said when entering by vehicle.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is a venue you walk into after parking the bikes.

From the back of my card:

"Valid at Federal recreation entrance or standard amenity fee sites for pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle OR one motorcycle OR pass holder and three persons (16 and older) where per person fees are charged."

Military Pass is FREE in person at sites that issue passes.

Pass is good for this year. Waiting to get the veterans pass in 2023 it will be a lifetime pass. I'm going to wait, as I have my seniors pass.

If you're worried about losing the pass, take a picture of it and leave it on your phone. I've got a "documents" folder on mine with any and all documents I may need to show like VA card, D/L, park pass, current insurance policy, registration, etc.

Last year when my brother and I entered natl parks, they asked if we were vets and were allowed to get in for free, no verification needed. When leaving Devils Tower [ that's when you pay, not going in ], I told the attendant I had to get off the motor to produce the pass. He asked if we were vets and just waived us through with no delaying the rather long line behind us trying to get out.

brownie0486 said:

When leaving Devils Tower [ that's when you pay, not going in

Click to expand...

Opposite was true for myself and all the cars in front of me last summer. We paid going in.

Not that it matters.

Rich said:

Opposite was true for myself and all the cars in front of me last summer. We paid going in.

Not that it matters.

Click to expand...

That's interesting, no idea why it was reversed the day we were there last summer. Seemed odd.

The USPS brought my new National Park/Recreational Lands Pass today. Also enclosed in the envelope was a "hang-tag." That latter piece is probably of not much use except on an enclosed/lockable vehicle. I paid the $10, but it's clear that it would have been free (no postage and handling) at a National Park or other suitable location. Looks like it took about two weeks for processing and my receipt of it.

Here's a photo: