Which states let veterans camp free in state parks?

Twelve: Alaska, California, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Almost all of them require state residency and a service-connected disability, and each sets its own rating threshold. New Mexico is the outlier: any resident veteran qualifies, rated or not.

Can veterans camp free in national parks?

Not with the veteran pass. The free Military Lifetime Pass covers entrance and day-use fees but not camping. Veterans with a disability rating can get the free Access Pass, which cuts camping fees 50% at Army Corps campgrounds and national forest single sites, and at some national park campgrounds.

Where can anyone camp for free?

Most national forest and Bureau of Land Management land is open to free dispersed camping outside developed campgrounds, unless an area is posted closed. There is no water, toilet, or trash service, so you need to be self-contained. Stays are usually limited to 14 days, after which you move to a new area.

Does a free state park pass work in other states?

No. Most free-camping programs are for that state's residents only. A lifetime pass from your home state does nothing across the state line.

Is camping free on Veterans Day?

Usually not. National parks waive entrance fees on November 11, not camping fees. Tennessee is an exception: resident veterans camp one night free at state parks on Veterans Day.

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Free camping

Free Camping for Veterans: Where It's Real, and Where It's a Myth

Free camping for veterans is real. It just isn't where most people look, and half of what gets shared online is wrong.

VetCamps October 1, 2026

A couple and their dog relax by a fire ring at a free dispersed campsite in a national forest clearing.

No hookups, no fee, no reservation. Most national forest land is open to this.

Programs change and each park and forest sets its own rules. Check the official page and call ahead before you count on a free night.

The short answer

Yes, veterans can camp free, mainly two ways. If you live in one of 12 states, your state parks may let you camp free. Most of them require a service-connected disability rating. New Mexico only asks that you're a veteran.

The other way is open to everyone, veteran or not: most national forest and BLM land lets you camp free, as long as you don't need hookups.

The free veteran pass to national parks is a different story. It gets you through the gate, but you still pay full price for the campsite. If you have a VA rating, the free Access Pass cuts that bill in half. More in Does the veterans park pass cover camping?

The 12 states with free state park camping

Every one of these has fine print: residency, a minimum rating, a reservation fee that still applies, or cabins and group sites left out. Apply for the pass before you book.

Alaska. Disabled veterans get a free annual camping pass for individual sites in developed state park campgrounds. The state publishes no rating threshold and no residency rule. Alaska parks
California. Residents rated 50% or more with wartime service, former POWs, and Medal of Honor recipients camp free with the Distinguished Veteran Pass at participating parks. California parks
Idaho. Residents rated 100% permanent and total camp free. Reservation fees still apply. Idaho parks
Illinois. Residents receiving 100% service-connected compensation, some limb disabilities, and former POWs camp free. Hookup sites still carry the utility fee. Illinois parks
Kentucky. Residents 100% service-connected disabled stay free, up to three stays a year of three nights each. Kentucky parks
Maine. Residents 100% disabled camp free with their spouse and unmarried children, with no reservation fee. Maine parks
Nevada. Residents with a permanent service-connected disability, at any rating, camp free for a year with the Disabled Veteran Permit. Small annual admin fee; hookups extra. Nevada parks
New Mexico. Any resident veteran camps free with the Lifetime Veteran Pass, no rating needed, utility fees included. New Mexico parks
Ohio. Residents rated permanently and totally disabled, and former POWs, camp free. The reservation fee still applies. Ohio parks
Oregon. Veterans with any service-connected disability camp free with the Special Access Pass, four nights at a time and up to four nights a month. Oregon parks
Washington. Residents rated 30% or more camp free, one site per night, with the Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass. Washington parks
Wyoming. Residents rated 50% or more get free camping and day use for life with the Lifetime Veteran's Pass. Wyoming parks

Close, but not free: Tennessee gives resident veterans one free night on Veterans Day, and several states take 50% off for disabled veterans. The full 50-state list, discounts included, is in Veteran camping discounts at state parks.

Free for anyone: national forests and BLM land

This is the biggest free camping in the country, and it has nothing to do with veteran status. The Forest Service says the vast majority of national forests and grasslands are open to dispersed camping, meaning camping outside a developed campground, and it is usually free with no permit. Most Bureau of Land Management land is open the same way unless an area is posted closed.

Bring everything.

No water, no toilets, no trash pickup, often no picnic table. You need to be self-contained and pack out what you bring in.

Mind the clock.

BLM generally allows 14 days within a 28-day period, then you move, often 25 miles or more. National forests commonly allow 14 days in a 30-day period. Each forest and field office sets its own limit.

Know where it's allowed.

Dispersed camping is usually not allowed near developed campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads, and some busy areas require a permit. Call the ranger district or BLM field office before you drive out.

Winter in the desert costs money.

The BLM's Long-Term Visitor Areas near Quartzsite and Yuma charge a seasonal permit, and the America the Beautiful pass discounts do not apply to it. Free short-term camping is still allowed on open desert land outside them, up to 14 days in 28.

Free with the veteran pass: day use, not nights

The free Military Lifetime Pass covers entrance fees at national parks and day-use fees like boat ramps and swim beaches at Army Corps lakes, national forests, and BLM sites. Great for a day on the water. It takes nothing off an overnight stay.

The free camping myths

"Veterans camp free in national parks." The free veteran pass covers the entrance, not the campsite. The National Park Service says so on its own page.
"My free state pass works everywhere." Almost every free program is for that state's residents. Cross the state line and you pay like anyone else.
"Free entry means free camping." Many states let veterans in free, then charge full price for the site. Entry and camping are separate fees.
"Veterans Day is free camping day." National parks waive entrance on November 11. Camping still costs money almost everywhere.

Before your next trip

If you have a VA rating and live in one of the 12 states, apply for that state's pass before you book.
Get the free Access Pass with your VA award letter for half off federal campsites.
For free nights anywhere, find national forest or BLM land, then call the ranger district for open areas and stay limits.
Plan the route in the VetCamps app, with state parks, national forest and BLM campgrounds, Army Corps lakes, and FamCamps on one map.

Free on iPhone and Android

Free nights are out there. Find them.

VetCamps maps about 2,300 national forest campgrounds, 590 BLM campgrounds, 1,300 Army Corps campgrounds, and 230+ FamCamps in one free app.

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Sources used

State park pages linked in each state entry above
U.S. Forest Service: dispersed camping on national forests and grasslands
Bureau of Land Management: camping
BLM: Long-Term Visitor Areas
National Park Service: free passes for military, veterans, and Gold Star families
Tennessee State Parks: discounts

Camping on base with a VA rating: Have a VA rating? You can camp on base. More field notes in Guides.