Free entry to national parks

The National Park System is home to the most beautiful spots in the United States and covers over 400 locations in the U.S. Many of these locations charge an entrance fee to protect the preservation of these lands and enhance infrastructure for visitors. There are six days in 2024, however, where all sites that normally charge admission fees will have free entry. Of the 400 national park sites, just over 100 charge an entry fee. These fees usually range from $20 to $35 per vehicle.

January 15 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

April 20 – First Day of National Park Week

June 19 – Juneteenth

August 4 – Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act

September 28 – National Public Lands Day

November 11 – Veterans Day

Sites that normally charge a fee

A full list can be found here, but we wanted to highlight some of the most popular to consider adding to your list:

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Haleakala National Park
• Yellowstone National Park
• Glacier National Park
• Zion National Park
• Olympic National Park

Note that the free entry doesn’t just cover national parks. Historical parks, national seashores, memorials, and monuments that normally require an entry fee are also fee-free on the days listed above.

Planning your trip

If you are planning to take advantage of these fee-free days, be prepared that the parks may be more crowded than usual.

It’s also important to note that these fee-free days don’t cover fees separate from the entry. There are certain parks that require special reservations, so make sure you check that park’s requirements prior to your trip.