In a gesture of respect and gratitude, Tennessee State Parks is offering free camping and golfing to veterans on the birthdays of each branch of the United States military. This gesture extends to all veterans and is an acknowledgment of their service and sacrifice for the country. The announcement, which coincides with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation in 2026, includes specific dates dedicated to each military branch and an additional day on Veterans Day, as reported by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation.

Veterans can enjoy a complimentary one-night camping stay at any Tennessee State Park, as well as waived fees for a round of golf. However, premium campsites are excluded from the offer. To reserve, eligible veterans should call the reservation line directly and have their official ID and proof of veteran status ready at check-in. According to the official announcement, reservations can be made at any time for the dates outlined, with the first such day having been on Sunday, Aug. 4, celebrating the birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard.

"The Tennesseans who have bravely served our state and nation deserve our highest honor and respect," stated Gov. Bill Lee. In a similar vein, Commissioner David Salyers of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation expressed that the parks represent a facet of the freedoms protected by veterans, saying, "We welcome our Veterans and pledge to continue to honor their service."

Commissioner Tommy Baker of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services echoed the sentiment, highlighting the veterans' affinity for the outdoors and praising the state's effort to make Tennessee a premier option for veterans. "The expansion of benefits for the Veterans of Tennessee is a fantastic development! Our state parks are unrivaled, and our Veterans truly enjoy being outdoors," Baker told the publication.