Military Discounts For RV’ers

Since Rebecca and I transitioned from our old life to our new one, my military retiree/veteran status has proven extremely beneficial. It wasn’t until we actually hit the road as full-time RVers, however, that I discovered just how beneficial it would be. Since then, I’ve learned of the many benefits, in the form of discounts, made available to those who have served, or are serving, our country. And as it turns out, those benefits are the perfect complement to our new traveling lifestyle.

Military Base Campgrounds

The US military has numerous campgrounds located on bases across the United States. These campgrounds are available to Active Duty Military, Retired Military, DOD Civilians/Retirees, 100% Disabled Veterans, and their family members. It’s where Rebecca and I camp more than anywhere else. We absolutely love them! They’re cheap, typically provide all your conveniences, and offer a sense of security. Many of them are located in popular tourist areas, too. Just to give you an example…

We frequently camp on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL while visiting family. The nightly rate is around $23.00 and this includes water, electricity, sewer and cable. Within just a short walk of the campsites is the beach, golf course, trails, and dog parks. Within a short drive is the commissary, exchange, gym, and much more. It’s also in a great location! Clearwater, St. Pete and everything Tampa has to offer is within close proximity. And after over three years of full-time RVing, we’ve found amenities like these on military bases to be more common than not.

By visiting militarycampgrounds.us you’ll be able to view locations across the United States, as well as read reviews on sites, updates on accommodations, and much more. Once you find a location of interest, I would recommend calling well ahead of time to ensure availability. Many campgrounds located in warmer climates are booked a year in advance for the months of October through May. The daily rate increases a couple of dollars during this time as well. Make sure you carefully read the information provided online for each location, so there are no surprises when you arrive. And for those who travel with pets, bring copies of your pet’s shot records!

Discount Passes

The National Parks Service (NPS) offers free  Annual Passes to all current United States military members and their families. These passes allow holders free access to, and use of, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), NPS, Reclamation, United States Department of Agriculture – Forest Service (USDA-FS), and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) parks that charge entrance or standard amenity fees for day use.

Because I’m retired, I applied for the Access Pass, which is a lifetime pass for citizens or permanent residents of the United States who have a permanent disability, regardless of age.  This pass offers the same benefits as the Annual Pass, but also provides a 50% discount on some expanded amenity fees such as camping (excluding hookups), boat launching, etc. To apply for this pass, I simply completed the application, attached my Department of Veterans Affairs disability letter, and mailed it to the required address. There’s a $10 processing fee and it took approximately five months to process, but I finally received it in the mail.

Additional Discount Passes

Many states provide discounts to Military Veterans with and without disabilities, even if they’re not a resident of the state. The University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Study provides a list of states and their benefits. And while some of the states do require residency, if you review the entire list you’ll surely find one that doesn’t.

Special Access Pass

The state of Oregon offers veterans with disabilities a Special Access Pass that allows the card holder to camp for free in a tent, RV, or standard horse camp site for ten nights in a thirty-day period. I completed the form, attached my Department of Veterans Affairs disability letter, and mailed it to the required address. In less than a month, my Oregon State Park Special Access Pass arrived in the mail. It’s valid for five years.

These Discounts Were Made For You… Use Them!

There are numerous benefits available for all service members and employees of the United States Military. I’m sure there’s even more information on this topic and I hope that readers will share their knowledge. But for those who qualify and haven’t yet taken advantage of the discounts mentioned right here in this post, I hope you will. While it can take some time for your application to be processed, it’s worth it!

To the men and women who serve, or have served, in or with the United States military, I thank you for your service and hope you get out there and enjoy our beautiful country.

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