Free Day-Use Admission at State Parks — Out-of-State Veterans Too
Maryland waives the day-use entrance service charge at state park day-use areas for ALL veterans of the United States Armed Forces — resident AND out-of-state. Active duty and Maryland National Guard members are waived on display of a military ID. Other facility service charges are not waived. Proof at the gate is a driving licence veteran designation or military documentation.
Verified August 27, 2026
What this benefit is
Maryland waives the day-use entrance service charge at state park day-use areas for ALL veterans of the United States Armed Forces — resident AND out-of-state. Active duty and Maryland National Guard members are waived on display of a military ID. Other facility service charges are not waived. Proof at the gate is a driving licence veteran designation or military documentation.
What it's worth: Day-use entrance charge waived at state park day-use areas
- It reaches ALL veterans of the United States Armed Forces — RESIDENT AND OUT-OF-STATE. Maryland residency is not required.
- Active duty and Maryland National Guard members are waived on display of a military ID.
- It waives the day-use ENTRANCE service charge only. Other facility service charges are not waived.
- There is no disability requirement.
- Proof at the gate is a driving licence carrying the veteran designation, or military documentation. The licence designation is free to obtain and is the easier proof to carry.
Who is entitled to it
- You served in the U.S. armed forces.
- The park is in Maryland.
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
- 1Show a driving licence with the veteran designation, or military documentation, at the gate.
- 2Get the licence designation first if you do not have it — it is free in Maryland and it is what the park service names as proof.
- 3You do NOT need to be a Maryland resident. This is worth knowing if you are visiting.
- 4Expect the entrance charge waived and other facility charges not.
- Form
- Presented at the park gate
- File with
- Any Maryland state park day-use area
- Documents you will need
- dd214
- No renewal
- Once granted it does not need renewing.
Sources
- authority · published policyMaryland DNR — veterans admission waiver
- operating · published policyMaryland Department of Veterans and Military Families
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