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Free State Park Admission — and 15% Off Lodging Under Parks for Patriots

Active-duty members and honourably discharged veterans who live in the state are admitted to state parks free on any day the park is open to the public. Non-resident active and retired personnel are admitted free on state and federal holidays. Under Parks for Patriots the admission waiver is joined by a 15 percent discount on lodging at lodges, cabins and campgrounds across the state parks system.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Active-duty members and honourably discharged veterans who live in the state are admitted to state parks free on any day the park is open to the public. Non-resident active and retired personnel are admitted free on state and federal holidays. Under Parks for Patriots the admission waiver is joined by a 15 percent discount on lodging at lodges, cabins and campgrounds across the state parks system.

What it's worth: Park admission waived, plus 15% off lodges, cabins and campgrounds

  • The department states resident active-duty members and honourably discharged veterans are granted free admission on days the park is open to the general public.
  • Parks for Patriots adds a 15 percent discount on lodging at lodges, cabins and campgrounds in the Alabama State Parks system, for veterans and active-duty personnel.
  • Proof of qualifying service may be an active or retired military identification card, a driver licence carrying the veteran designation, or the DD Form 214.
  • Non-residents who are active or retired military are described as admitted free on state and federal holidays only.
  • Golf and special-event charges are not described as discounted and are not claimed here.

Who is entitled to it

  • The waiver runs to the serving member or the veteran.
  • Your discharge is within the range the waiver is written for.
  • Your home is in Alabama.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Carry one of the three named proofs: an active or retired military ID card, a driver licence with the veteran designation, or the DD Form 214.
  2. 2Get the veteran designation added to your driver licence if you have not already — it is the proof that fits in a wallet.
  3. 3Ask the conservation department which other identification it authorises before relying on something else at the gate.
  4. 4Expect admission only. Camping, cabins, golf and special-event charges were not described as waived and are not claimed here.
  5. 5If you live out of state, the free days are state and federal holidays, and the proof is the military identification card.
Form
Show qualifying identification at the gate
File with
The state park gate
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Worth knowingThe resident and non-resident rules are different benefits wearing one heading: a resident gets in free on any open day, a non-resident only on holidays.
Known gapWhether a spouse or child entering with the veteran is covered was not established this session.

Sources

Why only one source type: The department publishes the waiver and its Code citation. The conservation department’s own fee schedule was not opened this session, so nothing is claimed about camping or activity charges.

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.