Military families can visit national parks for free - KWWL.com

As a way to say thank you, the Interior Department will make annual passes to every national park available to active-duty military members and their dependents.

The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass, which ordinarily costs $80, provides access to more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands.

The passes will be available starting Saturday, May 19, which is Armed Forces Day.  Military members must show a current, valid military identification card to obtain their pass and can pick up the pass at any national park or wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee and at some other sites.

The National Park Service estimates the cost of the free admissions will be between $2 million and $6 million.