America’s best idea – our national parks – is even better when admission is free. Mark your calendar now for the free entrance dates for the coming year.
Free entry is available on these dates to 108 national parks across the country, for which a fee is normally charged.
During the free days, the parks will waive entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservations, camping, tours, concessions, and fees collected by third parties may still be charged.
Free days in 2026
These are the free days in US national parks for 2026:
- February 16: Presidents Day (Washington’s birthday)
- May 25: Remembrance Day
- June 14: President Trump’s Flag Day/Birthday
- July 3 to 5: Independence Day weekend
- August 25: 110th Anniversary of the National Park Service
- September 17: Constitution Day
- October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- November 11: Veterans Day
Here’s just an example of what you can do during free entry days in the national parks. Be sure to go online or call before you go to verify times and other details, such as possible visitor restrictions.
Popular national parks
Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument in California is located at the tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, just west of the city of San Diego. The Visitor Center features the Age of Exploration exhibit, films and ranger-led programs with interesting insights into Cabrillo’s history.
Features of the park include views of the harbor and city of San Diego, whale watching in January and February, and bird watching is popular year-round.
National Dinosaur Monument
National Dinosaur Monument Colorado and Utah are home to famous fossil discoveries, dramatic river canyons, mysterious petroglyphs and endless opportunities for adventure. Kids can earn a special Junior Ranger Paleontology badge by completing age-appropriate activities.
Yellowstone
Yellowstone in Montana is our country’s first national park. Popular activities include picnicking, fishing and hiking. The park features the largest active geyser field in the world, including Old Faithful, along with amazing wildlife.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon in the northwest corner of Arizona and close to the borders of Utah and Nevada, offers many opportunities to learn about nature, science and history. Take a tour with a park ranger. Visit one of the many Information Centers. Watch a park orientation film (this starts every half hour from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm).
Use your cell phone to learn about the park in a fun way and listen as park rangers provide two-minute audio tours of points of interest on the South Rim. (In winter, the South Rim roads are open, but in places it is covered in snow and ice. Call 928-638-7496 for updated records of road conditions.)
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore southeast of the city of Corpus Christi, Texas, lies the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. The park protects 112 kilometers of coastline, dunes, prairies and tidal flats teeming with life.
It is a safe breeding ground for the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle and a refuge for 380 bird species. It also has a rich history, including the Spanish shipwrecks of 1554.
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park Florida is home to the third largest national park in America with 1.5 million hectares. The park provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species, including the manatee, American crocodile and the elusive Florida panther.
Popular activities include bird photography, hiking and wildlife watching, and ranger-led tours.
Especially for children
In participating national parks, children can participate in the Junior Ranger program. Participating parks offer a free booklet describing a variety of age-appropriate activities in the park. When they complete the tasks, they receive an official Junior Ranger badge.
Entrance fees to extremely popular parks range from $20 to $30 for private cars, and costs may depend on the number of people 16 and older in the car (children 15 and under are always free).
Many of the smaller parks, historic sites and recreation areas have lower rates and 265 locations are always free.
Other ways to save
Another way to save if you’re planning a trip that includes multiple national parks is to consider the $80 annual pass which provides access to all national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests and many other federal lands – more than 2,000 in total.
Also keep in mind that adults age 62 or older are eligible for one senior passincludes admission to the same parks as the annual pass, but for less: $20 for a year or $80 for a lifetime pass. In addition, a free lifetime pass to national parks and other federal recreation areas is available to eligible U.S. military veterans and Gold Star families.
Find a park by going to the National Park Service website and using the search function or interactive map. You can search for parks in your state or for parks with activities you enjoy, such as camping, fishing or hiking, as well as educational programs and historical sites.
#days #free #access #national #parks