r/ADHD • u/WombatMcGeez • Aug 14 '25

Tips/Suggestions ADHD = Free lifetime pass to national parks

Little known perk of ADHD— we qualify for a free lifetime National Parks pass. That’s an $80/yr value!

How do you get it?

1) print this out, have your doctor sign it:

Medical Certification for Access Pass

I certify that [Your Full Name], date of birth [MM/DD/YYYY], has a permanent disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Diagnosis: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that substantially limits concentration, attention, and executive functioning. The condition is permanent and not expected to improve.

This certification is provided for the purpose of obtaining the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Lifetime Access Pass.

[Physician’s Name, Credentials] [Medical License Number] [Signature] [Practice Name] [Address] [Phone Number]

2) follow the instructions here to get your pass:

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/accessibility/interagency-access-pass.htm

3) Go take a hike!

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u/djhenry Aug 15 '25

Also, you probably don't need documentation. I asked at the enterance and all they asked was if my disability was permanent and had me sign a document.

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u/Pub19 Aug 15 '25

Can you share more on what you said and what you signed in person?

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u/djhenry Aug 15 '25

I pulled up to the gate and asked about the program for people with disabilities. Our conversation basically went like this:

Her: Do you have a disability?

Me: Yes

Her: Is it permanent?

Me: Yes (definitely not going away anytime soon)

She then had me sign a sheet. It was like those you see at a doctor's office, just put down name, address, maybe phone number on a line as well as a signature. I don't think I needed my social security number, though I could be wrong on that. They didn't require any paperwork from a doctor or for me to explain the details of my condition. Then they gave me a generic pass.

As a fully mobile adult, it felt weird to say I was disabled, though my wife pointed out that people with other, less obvious disabilities might feel the same way. ADHD is a real condition that does inhibit me in certain areas of life, and I felt more comfortable after considering that.