National parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Land Management sites waive standard entrance and day-use fees on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, for Veterans Day. It is the National Park Service’s last fee-free day of the year. Veterans and Gold Star families can also get a free lifetime pass for year-round entry.
Key Takeaways
- The National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management all waive standard entrance or day-use fees on November 11.
- Free entrance at National Park Service sites on fee-free days applies to U.S. citizens and residents.
- Timed-entry, reservation, camping, concession, and some permit fees may still apply on the free day.
- Veterans and Gold Star families qualify for the free Military Lifetime Pass, and current military members and their dependents qualify for the free Military Annual Pass.
- Veterans must show one of four accepted forms of ID for the lifetime pass, and Form DD-214 is not accepted.
- A digital version of the Military Lifetime Pass is available on Recreation.gov and can be used immediately once issued.
Four Federal Agencies Waive Fees on Veterans Day
Veterans Day is one of the few dates when the major federal land agencies all open their fee areas at no cost. For travelers planning a holiday outing, the waiver reaches well beyond the national parks.
The National Park Service
Every National Park Service site that normally charges an entrance fee offers free admission on November 11. It is the final fee-free day on the agency’s 2026 calendar. Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days is available to U.S. citizens and residents. Most of the more than 400 park sites managed by the National Park Service are free to visit year-round, so the waiver matters most at fee-charging parks.
The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
The U.S. Forest Service lists Veterans Day among its 2026 fee-free days, waiving standard amenity fees at most day-use sites on national forests and grasslands, such as picnic areas, designated trailheads, and visitor centers. Bureau of Land Management sites also waive standard recreation fees on November 11.
National Wildlife Refuges
All national wildlife refuges and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands that normally charge an entrance fee offer free admission on November 11, 2026. For birders and wildlife watchers, mid-November often coincides with fall migration at many refuges.
What the Free Day Does Not Cover
A fee-free day waives entrance and standard day-use fees, not every charge in a park or forest. At National Park Service sites, other fees, including timed-entry and reservation fees, may still apply. Some high-traffic parks use timed entry to manage vehicle traffic, with reservations usually released on a rolling basis through Recreation.gov.
On national forests, the waiver does not apply to camping, off-highway vehicle areas, or concession-operated sites. On wildlife refuges, it does not cover concessionaire or permit fees for activities such as hunting, fishing, or special tours. Visitors heading to a popular park on November 11 should check whether a reservation is required before leaving home.
Veterans and Gold Star Families Can Get Free Entry All Year
For veterans, November 11 is a useful reminder of a benefit that lasts far longer than one day. The Military Lifetime Pass, part of the America the Beautiful pass series, is free for U.S. military veterans and Gold Star family members. The Military Annual Pass is free for current U.S. military members and their dependents.
These passes cover entrance fees and standard day-use fees on lands managed by six agencies: the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Depending on the site, one pass covers a single private vehicle or four per-person fees. A veteran with a lifetime pass never needs to wait for a fee-free day.
Which IDs Veterans Need for the Military Lifetime Pass
Veterans must present one of four accepted forms of identification. These are a Department of Defense Identification Card (DD Form 2, DD Form 2765, or the Next Generation USID replacement), a Veteran Health Identification Card, a Veteran ID Card, or a veteran designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or ID card. Since September 2022, the Department of Veterans Affairs has issued the Veteran ID Card only in digital form.
Form DD-214, the discharge certificate many veterans keep, is not accepted for the pass. Other unacceptable documents include an expired Common Access Card, business cards, email screenshots, and cards not issued by the U.S. government, such as veterans’ organization membership cards. Gold Star family members self-certify their eligibility, either online or with a printable voucher they can present to park staff or display at unstaffed sites.
How to Get a Pass Before November 11
There are three ways to get an America the Beautiful pass. Physical passes are issued in person at more than 1,000 federal recreation sites. Mail orders through the USGS online store can take up to three weeks, too late for Veterans Day. A digital Military Lifetime Pass is available on Recreation.gov, where applicants can upload a photo or scan of an accepted ID and use the pass immediately once it is issued.
Passes are non-transferable, cannot be replaced if lost or stolen, and require a valid photo ID each time they are used. Families planning to mark the holiday in other ways can find details on the national observance at Arlington and what’s open and closed on November 11.
Entrance Fees Fund the Parks Themselves
When parks resume charging entrance fees on November 12, the money stays close to home. All entrance fee revenue remains with the National Park Service, and at least 80% stays in the park where it was collected, supporting visitor services, maintenance, and conservation projects.
FAQs
Are National Parks Free on Veterans Day 2026?
Yes. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee are free on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, for U.S. citizens and residents. Reservation and timed-entry fees may still apply.
Are National Forests and Wildlife Refuges Also Free on Veterans Day?
Yes. The U.S. Forest Service waives standard day-use fees at most sites, and fee-charging national wildlife refuges offer free admission on November 11. Bureau of Land Management sites also waive standard recreation fees.
How Can Veterans Get a Free National Park Pass?
Veterans can get a free Military Lifetime Pass in person at federal recreation sites, by mail through the USGS store, or digitally through Recreation.gov. They must show one of four accepted forms of identification.
Is a DD-214 Accepted for the Military Lifetime Pass?
No. Form DD-214 is not an accepted form of ID. Veterans need a DoD ID card, a Veteran Health Identification Card, a Veteran ID Card, or a veteran designation on a state-issued license or ID.
