Here are the Days You Can Get Free in National Parks in 2026
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Living on the Cheap.
America’s best sights – our national parks – are even better when admission is free. Mark your calendar now for free entry dates next year.
These days, free entry is available at 108 national parks that normally charge a fee.
On free days, the parks waive entrance fees, commercial tour fees and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservations, camping, tours, permits and fees collected by third parties may be charged.
Free days in 2026
These are the free days in US National Parks for 2026:
- February 16: President’s Day (Washington’s Birthday)
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday
- July 3 to 5: Independence Day weekend
- August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- September 17: Constitution Day
- October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- November 11: Veterans Day
Here’s just a sample of what you can do during free entry days in national parks. Be sure to go online or call before you go to confirm times and other details, such as possible visitor restrictions.
Famous national parks
Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument in California is located at the tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, west of the city of San Diego. The Visitor Center has the “Exploring Years” exhibit, films, and guided tours with fascinating details on Cabrillo’s history.
Park features include views of San Diego’s harbor and city, whale watching in January and February, and birding is popular year-round.
Dinosaur National Monument
The Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado and Utah has famous fossil finds, amazing 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 nation’s first National Park. Popular activities include picnicking, fishing and hiking. The park has the largest active geyser field in the world, including Old Faithful, and amazing wildlife.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon in the northwest corner of Arizona and near the borders of Utah and Nevada, offers many opportunities to learn about nature, science and history. Take a walk with a park ranger. Visit one of the many Information Centers. Watch a park guide film (starts every half hour from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm daily).
Use your cell phone for a fun way to learn about the park and listen as park rangers give two-minute audio tours of your favorite South Rim spots. (During the winter, the South Rim roads are open, but they are packed with snow and ice in places. Call 928-638-7496 for a recording of updated road conditions.)
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore southeast of the city of Corpus Christi, Texas, is the longest undeveloped island in the world. This park protects 70 kilometers of coastline, dunes, plains, and airy flats teeming with life.
It is a safe nesting site for the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle and home to 380 species of birds. It also has a rich history, including a Spanish shipwreck in 1554.
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park in Florida is the third largest National Park in America at 1.5 million acres. The park provides important habitat for many rare and endangered species such as the manatee, the American alligator and the elusive Florida panther.
Popular activities include birding, hiking and wildlife watching, and guided tours.
Especially children
At participating national parks, children can participate in the Junior Ranger program. Participating parks provide a free brochure detailing all kinds of age-appropriate activities at the park. Once they complete the tasks, they are given the official Junior Ranger badge.
Entrance fees to the most popular parks are between $20 and $30 for private vehicles, and the cost may depend on the number of people 16 and older in the vehicle (children 15 and under are always free).
Many smaller parks, historic sites and recreation areas have low fees, and 265 sites remain 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 fee that gives people access to all national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and many other federal lands — more than 2,000 in all.
And remember that seniors 62 or older are eligible for a senior pass, which includes entry to the same parks as an annual pass but for less — $20 for one year or $80 for a lifetime pass. In addition, free lifetime passes to national parks and other state recreation areas are available to eligible US military veterans and Gold Star families.
Find a park by going to the National Park Service website and using the search tool or interactive map. You can search for parks in your region or parks that offer activities you like, such as camping, fishing or hiking, as well as educational programs and historical sites.
