Free Entrance Days at US National Parks
Celebrate the coast-to-coast natural beauty of the USA with a trip to your favorite National Park on special dates when no entrance fee is required!
US National Parks Free Entrance Days
There are currently seven fee-free National Park days each year, plus certain groups of people qualify for a free annual pass! Learn more about these great opportunities to experience places like Georgia’s National Parks or other internationally famous sites like the Everglades, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and many more!
Find a park near you / your vacation site with this National Park Service online tool.
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How to Get Free Entrance to US National Parks
Enjoy the parks of your choice with no entrance fees on select dates!
The Free Entrance Days in 2025 occur on:
- Thursday, January 9: National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter Jr.
- Monday, January 20*: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Saturday, April 19: First day of National Park Week
- Thursday, June 19*: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Monday, August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- Saturday, September 27*: National Public Lands Day
- Tuesday, November 11*: Veterans Day
Dates marked above with an asterisk (*) are days when visitors can also receive free entrance to US National Forest Sites!
Grab your backpack and action camera, and choose a National Park for your next free visit!
Free US National Park Passes
In addition to the Free Entrance Days available to everyone without advance signup, there are also other ways to get free entrance into the US National Parks. Check out these programs to see if you qualify for a free pass!
Free Every Kid in a Park Program
Families with kids are invited to participate in the “Every Kid in a Park” program when they have a child in the 4th grade. Learn more below about this great program for kids and their families.
All 4th graders are invited to get a free annual National Parks Pass from the “Every Kid in a Park” program!
Every Kid in a Park – Free Parks Pass for 4th Graders
Fourth graders can bring family and friends on adventures free for a full year with the Every Kid in a Park pass. Sign up in August to take advantage of a full year of free admission to all of the National Parks (you can sign up any time of the year, but the program only lasts through August)!
Free Pass for Veterans and Gold Star Families
Free National Parks Pass for Military
Beginning on Veterans Day 2020, Gold Star Families and Military Veterans are eligible for free access to National Parks, Department of the Interior agencies, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Current U.S. military members(and their dependents) in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Reserve, and National Guard are eligible for a free annual pass. Obtain this pass with a valid ID at one of the federal recreation sites that issue free passes. Veterans may simply show valid identification to gain free access.
Gold Star Families must download a Free Access Voucher and follow instructions to receive free access to these sites.
Free Access Pass
U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities are eligible for a free pass with documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship. Obtain the free access pass in person, online, or via mail (note that using online or mail requires a $10 processing fee).
Free Volunteer Pass
Volunteers with at least 250 service hours (with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program) are eligible for a free 12-month Volunteer Pass. Visit Volunteer.gov or contact your local federal recreation site for more information about volunteer opportunities.
Discounted US National Park Passes
Free Entrance Days National Parks
For those who do not qualify for the free pass programs above, discounted passes to National Parks are also available to senior citizens!
Discounted Senior National Park Pass
Discounted National Park passes are also available for seniors aged 62+. Applicant must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship. Seniors may choose either a discounted annual pass for $20 or a discounted lifetime pass for $80.
These discounted annual park passes will likely pay for themselves after the first park visit!
Tips for Enjoying US National Park Visits
Be sure to take provisions suitable for your National Park adventure, including water, a backpack with snacks, a compass and map, sunscreen, and a camera to record your memories! The correct gear will make all the difference in your enjoyment of your park visit(s). If you stay within Georgia, you’ll have different needs from someone on a trip to a more extreme environment like Alaska or Hawaii.
Find Great National Parks to Visit
Browse the list of National Parks in Georgia (including the multi-state Appalachian Trail), or learn more about all of the 400+ park sites within the National Park Service.
Appalachian Trail in Georgia – one of the many beautiful US National Parks
I have traveled to all 50 states and have visited over 40 of our US National Parks — I can confirm that these national treasures contain some of the nation’s most beautiful places! I cannot recommend them enough.
My favorite parks include Hawai’i Volcanoes, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, New River Gorge, Badlands, and Zion. The parks that are still on my list of National Parks to visit include Joshua Tree, Saguaro, Crater Lake, and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Follow Smart Safety Guidelines
Make sure your group stays comfortable by following simple and smart safety guidelines.
Stay Hydrated and Nourished
Be sure to drink enough water and fluids and have some high-energy snacks throughout the day. These items should travel well at the park.
Choose Appropriate Footwear
Be sure to take appropriate footwear that has been previously worn/broken in.
Layer Your Clothing
Research the weather and the conditions of the park that you will be visiting. Dress in layers of comfortable, moisture-wicking, or fast-dry clothing to adjust to changing conditions throughout the day.
Be Comfortable
A little planning can help you be more comfortable as you explore the park. Take items like water shoes, extra dry socks, SPF lip balm, and hair ties in your pack to ensure the most comfort in the park.
Stay Protected
Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert to changing conditions. Stay on the marked trails and be prepared for common surprises.
Be Prepared
Keep basic first aid and emergency supply items on you to make sure you can best handle any emergency.
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Free National Park Entrance
For more about great parks in the area, see the GaMountainsGuide.com post about the national, state, and local parks in the Georgia mountains. What are your favorite parks to visit on these free entrance days?
I’d want to offer my sincere gratitude for the insightful and comprehensive material you’ve provided here regarding free admission days in American National Parks. Spending time in green spaces like this one is quite relaxing for me.
Deals like free entrance days are incredibly important to me because they provide me with financial relief. It is very likely that I will go at least once this year. Continue to post updates in the same manner and I will most certainly pass this along.
Hi Pasindu, I’m so happy to hear that this is helpful information for you. I have enjoyed every single visit to the US National Parks and can attest that it’s a great deal to get in for free on these special days!! Enjoy!
Thank you for posting about the free passes on those particular days. The favorite national park I have visited is in the Ouachita Mountains National Park in Arkansas. It has mountains to hike or bike and beautiful scenery. It is unfortunate that so many people no longer visit our National Parks. They are a treasure meant to be enjoyed.
Jerry
Hello Jerry! Our national parks showcase the natural beauty and biodiversity of the USA and are always worth the trip… and especially so on the days when you can get free entrance!
It’s good to know that everyone can access these beautiful National Parks, either on the free days or through a special discounted or free pass. Here in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, we have numerous State Parks (the closest National Park is 2+ hours away) and I get a Parks Pass Plate when registering my car for $80 a year, all of which goes to maintain the parks. For this, I can transport as many people as can fit in my car for free. It would be interesting to know if there are any discounts, so I’m definitely going to look into it. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for sharing Cynthia! The White Mountains in NH are stunning and I love that the state has a special license plate to help promote the parks and keep them maintained!
With all the negativity that the coronavirus has brought I’m sure that this one piece of good news will warm the hearts of a lot of people as visiting parks was one of the frequently participated leisurely acts before the lockdown. The information you’ve given in your article is without a doubt important and invaluable to a lot of people.
Hi Beesean, this is definitely welcome news as most of us can use a financial break and an excuse to get outside for some fresh air!