A 50-State Reference Guide for RV Travelers
Last reviewed: October 2026
State parks offer some of the best camping opportunities in the country. Whether you’re spending a weekend close to home or traveling across several states, they’re often wonderful places to stay.
What many RVers don’t realize is that numerous states offer reduced entrance fees, camping discounts, or special passes for seniors, veterans, active military personnel, and people with disabilities.
Some of these programs can save you a considerable amount of money.
Unfortunately, unlike the federal America the Beautiful program, there isn’t one pass that works in every state park. Each state sets its own rules, and those rules can vary considerably.
We’ve put together this directory to make it easier to find the programs available in each state.
Before You Start
There are a few important things to understand about state park discounts.
Residency matters. Some states offer discounts to anyone who qualifies, while others restrict them to their own residents.
Entrance and camping discounts are different. A pass that provides free park admission doesn’t necessarily reduce your campsite fees.
Age requirements vary. Some senior programs begin at age 60, others at 62 or 65.
Disability qualifications vary. Some programs accept federal disability documentation, while others require a specific disability rating, state-issued permit, or proof of residency.
Not every campground participates. Discounts may exclude premium campsites, cabins, electric hookups, reservation charges, or certain dates.
We recommend checking the state’s official park website before making a reservation.
Some Discounts Worth a Closer Look
A few programs are particularly attractive to RVers because they reduce actual camping costs rather than just park admission fees.
| State | Discount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| California | $2 off eligible family camping; 50% through Disabled Discount Pass | Seniors 62+; qualifying people with permanent disabilities |
| Florida | 50% off eligible nightly campsite rates | Florida residents 65+ or qualifying residents with disabilities |
| Idaho | 50% off camping at select parks Monday–Thursday, excluding holidays | Seniors 62+ |
| Maryland | Half-price eligible camping Sunday–Thursday | Golden Age Pass holders, age 62+ |
| Montana | 50% off base camping fees | Montana residents 62+ or resident veterans |
| North Carolina | $6 off eligible nightly camping | Seniors 62+ and qualifying military or veterans |
| Ohio | Free camping under DAV/POW program | Qualifying Ohio resident disabled veterans or former POWs |
| South Carolina | Half-price campsite fees under state law | Qualifying South Carolina residents over 65 or with disabilities |
| Washington | 50% off eligible camping | Qualifying resident low-income seniors or residents with disabilities |
These programs have restrictions. For example, Montana’s discount doesn’t cover electrical charges, and Idaho’s senior discount is limited to participating parks and qualifying midweek stays.
State-by-State Park Discount Directory
Use the links below to visit each state’s official park agency and check its current programs.
The notes identify selected benefits that we’ve researched. Where a specific discount isn’t listed, that doesn’t mean none exists. It means we recommend checking the state’s current policies before relying on a benefit.
| State | Discount information | Official website |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Senior and military overnight discounts | State Parks |
| Alaska | Qualifying disabled veteran camping passes | State Parks |
| Arizona | Military and veteran admission programs | State Parks |
| Arkansas | Senior camping discounts; disability programs | State Parks |
| California | Senior, disabled and distinguished veteran passes | State Parks |
| Colorado | Aspen Leaf senior pass; veteran benefits | Parks & Wildlife |
| Connecticut | Senior Charter Oak Pass; other eligibility rules | State Parks |
| Delaware | Senior and military pass options | State Parks |
| Florida | Resident senior and disability camping discounts | State Parks |
| Georgia | Senior and disabled veteran benefits | State Parks |
| Hawaii | Check resident, military and camping rates | State Parks |
| Idaho | Senior midweek camping; disabled veteran benefits | State Parks |
| Illinois | Resident senior and disabled veteran camping benefits | Illinois DNR |
| Indiana | Golden Hoosier and Disabled Hoosier Veteran passes | State Parks |
| Iowa | Check current admission and camping policies | Iowa DNR |
| Kansas | Check military, disability and camping programs | Kansas Outdoors |
| Kentucky | Senior and military lodging discounts | State Parks |
| Louisiana | Senior camping discounts | State Parks |
| Maine | Resident senior day-use and veteran programs | State Parks |
| Maryland | Golden Age Pass with weekday camping discounts | State Parks |
| Massachusetts | Check senior, disability and veteran parking programs | Massachusetts DCR |
| Michigan | Check resident senior and veteran benefits | Michigan DNR |
| Minnesota | Disability camping; military and veteran vehicle permits | Minnesota DNR |
| Mississippi | Military and veteran camping discounts | Mississippi Parks |
| Missouri | Senior and military nightly camping discounts | State Parks |
| Montana | Resident senior and veteran camping discounts | State Parks |
| Nebraska | Disabled veteran park-entry permits | Game & Parks |
| Nevada | Resident senior and disabled veteran permits | State Parks |
| New Hampshire | Resident senior and military day-use benefits | State Parks |
| New Jersey | Resident senior camping and entry benefits | State Parks |
| New Mexico | Resident senior camping permits; veteran pass | State Parks |
| New York | Senior weekday entry; Liberty Pass for veterans | State Parks |
| North Carolina | Senior and military camping discounts | State Parks |
| North Dakota | Senior entrance permits; disabled veteran passes | Parks & Recreation |
| Ohio | Senior, military and disabled veteran camping benefits | Ohio DNR |
| Oklahoma | Senior parking and camping discounts; military rates | State Parks |
| Oregon | Special Access Pass for qualifying veterans | State Parks |
| Pennsylvania | Senior campsite discounts | State Parks |
| Rhode Island | Senior parking and admission discounts | Rhode Island Parks |
| South Carolina | Resident senior and disability camping benefits | State Parks |
| South Dakota | Qualifying disabled veteran camping benefits | Game, Fish & Parks |
| Tennessee | Resident veteran camping discounts | State Parks |
| Texas | Senior and veteran entrance passes | State Parks |
| Utah | Senior and veteran day-use passes | State Parks |
| Vermont | Green Mountain Passport for qualifying residents | State Parks |
| Virginia | Senior passes; disabled veteran camping discounts | State Parks |
| Washington | Low-income senior, disability and veteran passes | State Parks |
| West Virginia | Senior and military camping discounts | State Parks |
| Wisconsin | Senior admission stickers; veteran passes | Wisconsin DNR |
| Wyoming | Resident disabled veteran camping benefits | State Parks |
Minnesota RVers: What You Should Know
Since we’re based in Minnesota, it’s worth taking a closer look at our home state’s programs.
Minnesota does not have a general senior citizen discount for state park camping or vehicle permits.
However, qualifying residents with disabilities may receive half-price camping Sunday through Thursday at eligible campsites.
A reduced-price annual vehicle permit is also available to people meeting certain disability requirements, including qualifying federal Access Pass holders.
Veterans with a qualifying service-connected disability and certain other military groups may receive free annual vehicle permits. Those entrance benefits should not be confused with camping discounts.
For more information, visit the Minnesota DNR accessibility and park discount information.
What About Federal Campgrounds?
The discounts on this page apply to state park programs.
Federal recreation areas operate under a different system, and eligible travelers may benefit from the America the Beautiful Senior, Access, Military, or other federal passes.
The Senior and Access Passes can be particularly valuable because they may provide discounts on camping at participating federal campgrounds, including some operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
For information about federal passes, visit the National Park Service.
Help Us Keep This Information Current
State park discount programs change, and eligibility requirements can be complicated.
If you’ve recently used a senior, veteran, or disability discount at a state park and have information that might help other RVers, we’d be interested in hearing about your experience.
We encourage readers to share corrections or updates, preferably with a link to the official state park information.
Our goal is to make this a useful resource for RV travelers planning their next adventure.
A little research before making your reservations can lead to some worthwhile savings.
Information compiled October 2026. This directory provides general guidance and links to state park agencies. Individual benefits, prices, eligibility, and residency requirements must be confirmed with the managing agency. We plan to review this page annually.