How to apply for the Federal Lifetime Access Pass — FREE lifetime entry to ALL national parks, monuments, and federal recreation lands for permanently disabled veterans + active-duty military
The Interagency Access Pass (formerly Golden Access Pass) under 16 USC § 6804(b) provides FREE lifetime admission to all 423 National Park units, 555 National Wildlife Refuges, ~155,000 Bureau of Land Management acres, US Army Corps of Engineers recreation sites, and US Forest Service lands. Eligibility for veterans: any U.S. citizen with PERMANENT DISABILITY (medical professional documentation OR Social Security disability OR VA P&T rating OR equivalent). Active-duty military + their dependents qualify for separate Military Pass (annual, free, valid 1 year). The Access Pass is a $80/year value (replacing standard America the Beautiful Pass) and provides up to 50% off federal recreation amenity fees (camping, swimming, boat launching, tours). 5 steps: confirm eligibility, gather documentation, apply (in person, online, or by mail), receive pass, use at any federal recreation site.
What you'll need
- Documentation of permanent disability — VA decision letter showing P&T (Permanent and Total) rating; OR Social Security disability award letter; OR licensed medical professional statement of permanent disability
- Government-issued photo ID
- Application: in person at federal recreation site (FREE) or online at store.usgs.gov/access-pass ($10 processing fee for online/mail)
- For active-duty Military Pass: CAC card (Common Access Card) — apply in person at federal recreation site, free
Step-by-step
Step 1: Confirm permanent disability eligibility
PERMANENT DISABILITY DEFINITIONS accepted by NPS for Access Pass: (a) VA P&T (Permanent and Total) rating — your VA decision letter explicitly states "Permanent and Total" or shows P&T notation; (b) VA 100% scheduler rating that is permanent (rated as such per 38 CFR § 3.327); (c) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) award letter; (d) Statement from licensed medical professional certifying permanent disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities. NOT REQUIRED: military service. Civilians with permanent disability ALSO qualify. RATING < 100% but SC: typically does NOT qualify unless there is permanent disability documentation outside the VA rating (e.g., SSDI, medical certification). RATING 100% TEMPORARY (e.g., 100% during cancer treatment): does NOT qualify until rating becomes permanent. ACTIVE DUTY: separate Military Pass available — annual, free, all active-duty + their dependents (16-year-old must apply individually). Permanent residents (green card holders) eligible for Access Pass. SAME-DAY ISSUANCE: most federal recreation sites issue Access Pass on the spot when you arrive with documentation. Check visitor center.
Step 2: Gather required documentation
REQUIRED: government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, military ID). PROOF OF DISABILITY (one of these): (a) VA decision letter showing P&T rating — typically a multi-page document with your name, rating, and "Permanent and Total" notation; (b) VA Form 21-0958 or equivalent VA letter explicitly stating P&T status; (c) Social Security Administration award letter showing SSDI eligibility; (d) Letter from licensed medical professional on professional letterhead stating: "Patient [Name] has a permanent disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities" + signature + date + medical license number. RECOMMENDED: bring ORIGINAL or CERTIFIED COPY (not photocopy). Most sites accept a clear photocopy but federal staff can refuse if document quality is poor. CITIZENSHIP: U.S. citizen OR permanent resident (green card holder). Bring proof if green card holder. NOT NEEDED: military service records, DD-214, financial disclosure, contractor estimates. The Access Pass process is intentionally simple.
Step 3: Apply in person OR online OR by mail
PATH A — IN PERSON (RECOMMENDED, FREE): Visit any National Park, National Wildlife Refuge, BLM site, USFS site, or USACE recreation area. Go to the visitor center / entrance station. Tell staff: "I would like to apply for an Access Pass. I have documentation of permanent disability." Staff verifies documentation, takes your photo, prints pass on the spot. Total time: 15-30 minutes. NO COST. PATH B — ONLINE: Visit store.usgs.gov/access-pass. Complete application form. Upload documentation. Pay $10 processing fee. Receive pass by mail in 14-30 days. PATH C — MAIL: Download application from nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm. Complete + sign. Mail with photocopy of disability documentation + $10 processing fee (check to USGS) to: USGS, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 159, Washington, DC 20240. Receive pass by mail in 14-30 days. PATH D — Active Duty Military Pass: in person ONLY at federal recreation site. Bring CAC card. Free, valid for 1 year, must be renewed annually. RECOMMENDATION: in-person path is fastest, free, and gives you the pass immediately. National Park visitor centers + BLM offices are most accommodating.
Step 4: Receive your pass + understand what it covers
YOUR ACCESS PASS is a credit-card-sized photo ID card with your name + photo + pass type ("ACCESS PASS - PERMANENT DISABILITY"). It is LIFETIME — never expires, never needs renewal. PASS COVERS: (1) Free entry to ALL 423 National Park Service units (including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, etc. — entrance fees normally $20-$35 per vehicle); (2) Free entry to 555 National Wildlife Refuges; (3) Free entry to BLM recreation sites; (4) Free entry to USFS day-use sites; (5) Free entry to USACE day-use sites; (6) 50% OFF amenity fees: camping, swimming, boat launching, special tours. PASS HOLDER + 3 ADULTS: pass admits the pass holder + up to 3 accompanying adults (children under 16 free regardless). For sites with per-vehicle fees, pass admits driver (pass holder) + all passengers. NOT COVERED: special-use permits, lodging at park hotels, gift shop purchases, food/beverages, third-party concessionaire services. SAVINGS: a typical national park family vacation easily exceeds $200 in entrance + amenity fees. Lifetime savings for a frequent national park visitor can exceed $5,000-$10,000+.
Step 5: Use the pass at any federal recreation site
PRESENT THE PASS at any federal recreation entrance station — show pass + photo ID. Staff verifies, waves you through. Some sites have automated entry — present pass + ID at staffed lane. CAMPING: when reserving campsites at recreation.gov, indicate Access Pass holder for 50% discount. Bring physical pass to check-in. AMENITY FEES (boat ramp, swim beach, tour fees): present pass at amenity service window for 50% discount. SAVINGS COMPOUND: with regular use, even small daily savings add up. A retiree doing weekly bird-watching at a National Wildlife Refuge ($5/day fee, 52 weeks = $260/year) saves $260+ annually. PASS REPLACEMENT if lost: visit any federal recreation site OR contact USGS at 1-888-275-8747. Replacement pass costs $10. PASS UPGRADE: if you become eligible for additional pass type (e.g., turn 62 → Senior Pass also $10 lifetime), you can convert. The Access Pass for permanent disability is among the most generous federal benefits available — claim it the moment you become eligible. SHARE WITH FAMILY: lifetime pass plus 3 accompanying adults makes federal recreation accessible for the whole family across decades.
Critical tips
- ACCESS PASS IS LIFETIME — never expires, never renews. Apply ONCE, use FOREVER.
- IN PERSON IS FASTEST + FREE — visit any National Park visitor center or BLM/USFS office with your VA P&T letter or SSDI letter.
- ONLINE/MAIL costs $10 processing fee. In-person is FREE. Always go in person if you can.
- CHILDREN UNDER 16 ALWAYS FREE at National Park sites regardless of pass — Access Pass benefits the adult passengers.
- PASS HOLDER + 3 ADULTS = pass admits up to 4 adults total per vehicle (or family group at non-vehicle sites).
- 50% OFF AMENITY FEES — camping (saves $20-$50/night), boat launching, special tours. The amenity discount alone can pay for trips.
- VA P&T RATING is the easiest documentation. Your VA decision letter explicitly stating "Permanent and Total" is sufficient — bring multi-page letter, federal staff knows how to read it.
- SSDI AWARD LETTER also works — Social Security disability eligibility is sufficient documentation.
- NON-VETERANS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITY also qualify — civilians, recently disabled, or those without VA rating but with medical certification can apply.
- ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PASS (annual, free, separate from Access Pass) covers active-duty + dependents — apply with CAC card at federal recreation site.
- SENIOR PASS at age 62 ($10 lifetime) is alternative for those becoming eligible later — Access Pass holders don't need to convert unless they want.
- TRAVEL HACK: combine Access Pass with state park benefits. Many states (TX, FL, CA) offer FREE state park access to disabled veterans on top of federal Access Pass.
- CAMP HOST volunteer opportunity: Access Pass holders are favored for unpaid Camp Host positions (free site + utilities in exchange for hosting), great low-cost retirement option.
- GIFT IDEA: encourage other eligible disabled veterans (especially elderly + recently rated P&T) to apply. The pass is lifetime and dramatically expands recreation access.