Lifetime Liberty Pass — Free State Park Entry for Every New York Veteran
Free vehicle entry to state parks and DEC day-use areas, free golf at 28 state courses, free swimming at 36 pools, and discounted camping — for life. There is no longer a disability requirement: every New York-resident veteran qualifies, as do Gold Star parents, spouses and children of service members who died in armed conflict. Golf courses and marinas run by concessionaires rather than by the parks agency are outside the pass.
Verified August 27, 2026
What this benefit is
Free vehicle entry to state parks and DEC day-use areas, free golf at 28 state courses, free swimming at 36 pools, and discounted camping — for life. There is no longer a disability requirement: every New York-resident veteran qualifies, as do Gold Star parents, spouses and children of service members who died in armed conflict. Golf courses and marinas run by concessionaires rather than by the parks agency are outside the pass.
What it's worth: Park entry, golf and pool access
- The 40% disability requirement no longer applies. All New York-resident veterans qualify, whatever the rating and whether or not there is one.
- Gold Star parents, spouses and children of service members who died in armed conflict qualify in their own right.
- Apply online with the DD-214 or DD-215, or with a casualty report for a Gold Star family member.
- A DMV-issued ID carrying the Veteran designation is accepted in person at staffed locations, which avoids the online application entirely.
- Golf courses and marinas operated by concessionaires rather than by the parks agency are excluded.
Who is entitled to it
- You are in one of the groups the pass covers.
- You served in the U.S. armed forces.
- You are the parent of a servicemember who died in service.
- You are the spouse or child of a servicemember who died in armed conflict.
- You are the spouse or child of a servicemember who has died.
- The servicemember died in armed conflict.
- You are a New York resident.
- Your home is in New York.
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
- 1Apply to NYS Parks with a VA letter and proof of New York residency.
- 2Ask specifically about the golf and pool access — many holders use only the park entry and never learn the rest is included.
- File with
- NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Documents you will need
- va rating letter ny · proof of residence ny
- No renewal needed
- It is a lifetime pass.
Sources
- authority · published policyNYS Parks — Lifetime Liberty Pass
Why only one source type: NYS Parks both sets and operates this pass, so its programme page is authority and operating at once. The record previously paired it with a NYS Department of Veterans’ Services page about disabled veterans; that page no longer describes the programme, which dropped its 40% disability requirement and now reaches every New York resident veteran. One accurate source is better than two where the second is stale.
This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.