Lifetime pass for veterans

[Ian]

And gold star family.  More here

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/new-lifetime-pass-available-military-veterans-and-gold-star-families-access-public

[Daryl and Daryl]

Thanks for the info.

[Mike]

I was trying to figure out how this was different from the current pass, but this eliminates the disability requirement. Nice.

[Sam Farrington]

There is also a lifetime pass available for seniors.  Mine has been accepted at both Agriculture and Interior department recreational areas.  No disrespect to veterans intended.  I am a veteran.

[Ian]

Sam,

in the PNW we can also use it in lieu of a Northwest Forest Pass

[BlackHatGuy]

Yeah, I bought the lifetime pass for seniors a couple of years ago. If I’d waited two years I could have saved myself the $85!

[Sam Farrington]

Pesticidefree,

It’s been so long, but now that you mention it, I think there might have been a fee for the senior pass.  Not sure it was $85, don’t remember.  I did obtain a second pass a few years later, just to have one in the car and one in the backpack, and to have a second one if the old one got lost. I’m glad to hear that there is now one for veterans that is free.

[BlackHatGuy]

The lifetime senior pass used to be much less expensive, like $25 or something like that. They went up to $85 a few years ago (don’t remember exactly when, but not that long ago).

[Paul Wagner]

A lifetime senior pass is $80–seniors past 62.  It used to be only $20, back when I bought mine 8 years ago.

Good for free entrance to almost all national parks, monuments,  forests etc. And 50% off most camping fees etc.

 

 

[BlackHatGuy]

“A lifetime senior pass is $80–seniors past 62”

I stand corrected (really, I stand at my computer instead of sitting). My memory ain’t so good, obviously…

[DAN-Y]

I’m a Veteran and grateful for the increase in benefits. I really like the Army Corps of Engineer campgrounds and trails……top notch.

Thank you Moderators 

[Ian]

Picked up what I was told is a lifetime free pass although the other side says it expires in 2024. I think I paid something near $80 for my last one that just expired in November.

A couple notes for vets, especially for vets in Washington.

What’s new is that I didn’t retire from the military and don’t have a service connected disability. I wasn’t eligible for this veterans pass until recently.

In the PNW, you can hang this from your mirror in lieu of a NW Forest Pass.

I attempted to pick this up at a national park in Arizona today but I only had my drivers license and DD214. The ranger said that he was not allowed to look at my DD214 and as a result, did not issue me this pass.

I have no idea if this is actually a NPS policy or just a hill this Ranger decided to die on. Either way, thirty years of combined government service has taught me that it’s easier to look for the path of least resistance than it was to try and debate the merits of my willingness to share my PII with him, so I cut my losses and drove to another federal property nearby that is managed by the USFS. I was in and out of the USFS facility in less than five minutes with my pass in hand.

In many states and definitely in Washington, you can have DMV verify your veteran status and it would be printed on your drivers license. The park ranger who refused to look at my DD214 based on policy (real or imagined) said that he would’ve accepted that or a VA card. I currently don’t have either but plan on sorting that out when I return home from Arizona.

[YoPrawn]

That’s cool they did that.

I would like to see something done for just all-around poor people who can’t afford the prices a lot of our parks require. Even $35 to put a tent in a campground for a night is a huge amount of money to people who can’t afford to take vacations otherwise. It’s turning into something that only middle class people can utilize in many areas where parks are operated. As parks funding gets cut, the entry prices go up, and poor people get blocked from ever visiting a lot of our parks that shouldn’t have such a class-driven hurdle. I can see a bit of resentment from younger people who can’t afford to buy homes or save money, who are being charged full price for living, and then see the older generation that overall had a much better economic life, are all getting the sweet deals and discounts.

Sorry to go so OT, but being only 40 something years old, I remember a day when a wider range of our societal classes could enjoy our mountains here in Washington State. If poor people can’t at least enjoy the outdoors once in a while, then what is the point of living for them/us?

[Ian]

“That’s cool they did that.”

Yes it is.   I’m grateful

[AK Granola]

Wouldn’t it be great if we loved our parks and national lands so much that we funded them adequately and therefore didn’t need to charge user fees?!

I hope they still have the senior pass when I get there. Having been excluded from Social Security and having the retirement age increased right when I get there feels pretty rotten. We are very much a class society – all kinds of different classes and special privileges, that only some receive. It feels great when you are the one to get it, and truly awful when you aren’t.

[BlackHatGuy]

“I have no idea if this is actually a NPS policy or just a hill this Ranger decided to die on.”

FWIW, from the NPS website: “Veterans can present one of the four forms of acceptable ID (Department of Defense ID Card, Veteran Health ID (VHIC), Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on a state-issued US driver’s license or ID card) at participating federal recreation areas that normally charge an entrance fee.”

And it looks like your’s will expire, the one they show on the website says “Lifetime” instead of “Annual”

[Ian]

It also appears the USFS cut me some slack.

“To access the benefit, veterans can present any of several government issued documents verifying veteran status:

Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card)
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Veteran ID Card
Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card
Note: Form DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”) is not accepted.”

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=FSEPRD845075

[Ian]

It appears my best bet is to follow through and get the veteran designation on my license and get a card from the VA.  If they decline entry in 2024, at the very least I can request the lifetime one provided I have at least one of the forms of ID noted above.

 

[Mike J]

It appears my best bet is to follow through and get the veteran designation on my license and get a card from the VA.  If they decline entry in 2024, at the very least I can request the lifetime one provided I have at least one of the forms of ID noted above.

I was able to just go online this morning and order the Lifetime veterans one. They just needed name, Branch and date of discharge to verify.  Cost $10 to processes, excited to get it in the mail :-)

[Ian]

That’s great Mike.  That sounds like an easy option

[Lowell Mills]

Mike/Ian; it is the easy option and well worth $10.  I received mine recently and it’s slightly changed from my previous veteran’s card; a different background picture and, of course, the missing expiration date on the back:

[Nick Gatel]

Yeah, I bought the lifetime pass for seniors a couple of years ago. If I’d waited two years I could have saved myself the $85!

Ah, mine cost $5. I must be a little older than you ;-)

Joyce was upset that when she came of age it was $10.

 

[Nick Gatel]

Used to be the DD214 was the standard that superseded everything else. It would be wonderful if all the different agencies would communicate with each other.

I have a Veterans ID card that really is only designed to be used to get discounts from retailers and such.

[Mike J]

Used to be the DD214 was the standard that superseded everything else. It would be wonderful if all the different agencies would communicate with each other.

for the online order I basically just had to give them my name and date from my DD214. Mine should be here this week :-)

[Lowell Mills]

I believe the easiest option is to get “Veteran” added to your driver’s license.  The DMV requires a DD-214 to get the endorsement, but then you no longer have to carry hardcopy or a scan of this document nor a separate Veteran’s ID card.

[Author]

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