If you're feeling the need to unplug and get outside, there's no better place to go than one of our amazing U.S. National Parks. Want to get some fresh air at one of our country's most treasured sites? You're in luck.
Every year, national parks offer free entry on a handful of days. There will be six fee-free days in 2024, up from five last year, and the first one is coming up fast: Next Monday, Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.
Here are all of dates from 2024 on which you could get free entrance to America's national parks:
- Monday, Jan. 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Saturday, April 20 – The first day of National Park Week
- Wednesday, June 19 – Juneteenth
- Sunday, Aug. 4 – Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- Saturday, Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
- Monday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
The National Park Service hasn't yet released the free days for 2025 just yet … but you can safely assume they'll mirror this year's dates closely.
Read our guide to visiting the U.S. National Parks!
The U.S. is packed with some incredible national parks that showcase the country's diverse beauty – and there's at least one park in every state. There's the Grand Canyon in Arizona, an unbeatable collection of parks like Zion and Canyonlands in Utah, the tranquility of Glacier National Park in Montana, Yosemite in California, and so much more.
In all, the U.S. has 63 national parks you can access for free these days. But free entry on these fee-free days goes beyond those major national parks, as it also extends to all 400-plus sites that the National Park Service manages.
That's a significant savings, as entrance fees at national parks typically range from $20 to $35 per vehicle.
Read more: How to Plan the Perfect Road Trip Through Utah National Parks
Thrifty Tip: Did you know that fourth graders (and their families) can get into all national parks free for an entire year?
These fee-free days are worth capitalizing on if you're nearby or making a road trip to a national park. But if your plans don't line up with these free days and you're planning to hit several national parks this year, consider the year-long “America the Beautiful” national parks pass.
At $80 for the annual pass, you'll start saving money after visiting just three or more national parks.
Bottom Line
Our national parks are special places. There's so much to see in our own backyards. If you are feeling the need to unplug and get some fresh air, take advantage of the opportunity to get into any national park for free next Monday.
I thought there were discounts available for seniors?