Active Military Offered Park Passes

To show its appreciation for those who serve in the U.S. Military, the National Park Service will begin issuing an annual pass Saturday offering free entrance to all 397 national parks for active duty military members and their dependents.  Active duty members of the U.S. Military and their dependents can pick up their pass at any park entrance station.  They must show a current, valid military identification card to obtain their pass.  National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis points out that national parks and the military have strong ties going back to the establishment of Yellowstone as the world’s first national park in 1872 when the US Cavalry watched over the park and served as its first park rangers.