RALEIGH — A free annual pass to N.C. State Parks can now be given to veterans with disabilities linked to their service, the Division of Parks and Recreation said. People who want to use their free pass must send in a request form and a copy of their Letter of Summary of Benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The General Assembly passed State Law 2024-45 in July. Sections 15.(a) to 15.(d) of that law let veterans who were properly discharged and got benefits or proof of a disability related to their service get any State Parks Annual Pass for free.
“People in North Carolina are proud of our beautiful state parks and our strong support for military families,” said Reid Wilson, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
“This small gift is our way of saying thank you to the veterans who have served our state and country. They are welcome to visit our state parks.”
Under the Annual Pass program, people can rent tools, swim, and do other activities all year long at a discounted package rate. The yearly Pass program in North Carolina is different from yearly passes in other states or across the country because most North Carolina state parks are free to visit all year.
One of the best benefits is that you can visit Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake state recreation areas during the day.
You can also take the ferry to Bear Island in Hammocks Beach State Park, which will reopen in the spring of 2025. At Carolina Beach and Hammocks Beach state parks, you can launch your boat and rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard at some parks.
Head of State Parks Brian Strong said, “We are thrilled to offer these recreation opportunities at no cost to veterans with disabilities.”
“We hope that everyone who is eligible for this program uses it to enjoy the beautiful cultural and natural resources they have helped protect.” Also, we’re still planning to do more to make our parks easier for everyone to use, even people with disabilities.
By default, everyone who asks for something under this rule will get the $90 Annual Pass.
People in New Hanover County who want to use the four-wheel-drive beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area can write that on the form, and for $150, they will get an annual pass that lets them use the beach. Vets who get this pass need to go to the park office at Fort Fisher to learn how to use the four-wheel-drive gate.