Military life often means moving from place to place, but that doesn’t have to keep families from finding adventure and connection in the great outdoors. The Military Families Outdoors (MFO) Program, created by the National Park Service and the Defense Health Agency, helps Service Members, Veterans, and their families discover nearby parks wherever duty calls.
Whether your kids are asking, “Are we there yet?” or shouting, “This is awesome!”, MFO encourages families to explore together—hiking, picnicking, and making memories in some of the country’s most beautiful spaces. With more than 430 national parks to choose from—including many with deep military history—there’s a park experience for every comfort level.
The program is powered by partnerships with Blue Star Families, Wilderness Inquiry, Armed Services YMCA, and The Center for Health & Nature. Together, they bring outdoor wellness opportunities that promote connection, adventure, and resilience for military families.
Free Pass for Military Members and Veterans
Active-duty military and Veterans can also take advantage of the free America the Beautiful annual pass, available at most fee-collecting national parks with a valid military ID.
So lace up your boots, pack a picnic, and let the MFO program guide your family to your next adventure. Wherever military life takes you, there’s always a park nearby waiting to be explored.
- Learn more here: Blue Star Families Military Family Outdoors
- To find parks: Parks near Department of Defense and veterans administration facilities
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