Eligibility

You must be a resident of South Dakota. Along with this completed application form, you must submit a copy of the “K” award or letter from the Veteran’s Administration indicating you receive a veteran’s allotment for 100% total disability which is deemed a service connected injury or that you were held as a prisoner of war, which will meet eligibility as established in state law SDCL 41-17-13.4.

If you do not have these papers in your possession, you may contact the Veteran’s Administration office in Sioux Falls and have them sent to you or you may request in writing that the Veteran’s Administration mail a copy of these papers to the Department Of Game, Fish and Parks. 

Benefits

Approved applicants will receive a billfold card lifetime park entrance license. The license should be presented at entrance to a state park area to gain access for the entire vehicle. License holder must be present and may be asked to provide proof of identity. Starting in 2022, a hang tag will also be provided to place the ID license in the back for an extra layer of privacy when displaying the ID license.

The license also grants the license holder a 50% discount on any camping fee and associated electrical service fee for their campsite or camping cabin. The discount does not apply to other facilities or fees. Contact the call center the first time you make a camping reservation to assure the system has your lifetime pass information. After that, reservations can be made online, and the discount will automatically apply. If a reservation has already been made and a discount was not given, contact the call center at 1.800.710.2267 (reservations are exempt from the $2 call center fee).  

Application Process

• Print, complete and mail the application.
• Be sure to include copies of all eligibility documents.
• You will be contacted within two weeks with your application status.
• If approved, your approval letter will serve as your license until your personalized billfold card can be made and sent to you.
• Questions on the form, eligibility, or status can be directed to 605.773.3391.

Military Group Special Events

Park entrance licenses are not required for past and present military personnel or their family and guests if participating in an approved military group event held in the state parks. This includes South Dakota military veterans, members of the South Dakota National Guard and military reserve units, patients of veterans’ hospitals in South Dakota and family members and guests attending the event. To host a military event in a state park, complete the Special Event Application.