Several times a year the National Parks offer free days so you, your family and friends can plan that roadtrip that you always wanted to make to one of the many great National Parks and enjoy it for free!
There are about 100 parks that participate in the National Parks free days, so check it out, and there might be one close to you! In addition to offering free entrance to the parks, there are some parks that also have special events those days, sometimes in celebration of a national holiday.
If you or your family member is in the military you can get a free annual national park pass. If you are a volunteer or someone with a permanent disability you can obtain a free annual pass as well.
Fourth graders can also get a free national park pass through the ‘Every Kid in a Park’ program which also lets kids for free at historic sites.
When Are the National Parks Free Days
The National Park Service turns 100 years old in 2016! On 16 days in ’16, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.
Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2016:
- January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- April 16 through 24: National Park Week
- August 25 through 28: National Park Service Birthday
- September 24: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
There are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite of the 127 national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The others are free all of the time.
What Parks Participate In National Parks Free Days
Visit the list of participating parks that are organized by state or by park name.
You’ll just need to show up on the national park fee-free day to get free entrance into the park.
What the National Parks Free Days Will and Won’t Get You
The national parks fee-free days include free entrance into the park, free commercial tours, and free transportation entrance.
Reservation fees, camping tours, concessions, and other fees collection by third parties are not included.
