Embark on an adventure! National Parks are FREE on these five special days. Don’t forget to note down these entrance fee-free dates in your calendar:

• January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 22: First day of National Park Week
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 23: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

National parks are America’s best idea, and 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, especially one of the national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The others are free all the time. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

The annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. There are also free or discounted passes available for senior citizens, current members of the military, families of fourth-grade students, and disabled citizens. Learn more about the variety of passes offered by the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass series.

Recreate Responsibly

National parks across the country provide endless opportunities for recreational activities for everyone from the casual sightseer to the experienced adventurer. With your help, we can enjoy these special places while preserving them for future generations to enjoy.

Protecting You: More than 300 million people visit national parks each year, as well as the communities living in or around them.

Protecting Us: Tens of thousands of NPS employees, plus volunteers, partners, and others provide services for the safety and enjoyment of parks, including emergency assistance, facilities such as restrooms and visitor centers, transportation, and sales.

Protecting America’s Treasures: National parks are home to some of the nation’s most treasured and irreplaceable resources, including wildlife, scenery, and historic places.

Tips to Recreate Responsibly in National Parks

Whether seeking wide-open spaces or exploring a historic urban neighborhood, remember to #RecreateResponsibly! We encourage you to follow the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and follow Leave No Trace principles when you visit.

• Know before you go. Check the status of the place you want to visit for closures, fire restrictions, and weather.
• Plan and prepare. Reservations and permits may be required. Make sure you have the gear you need and a backup plan.
• Build an inclusive outdoors. Be an active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.
• Respect others. There is space for everyone and countless outdoor activities. Be kind to all who use the outdoors and nature differently.
• Leave no trace. Respect the land, water, wildlife, and Native communities. Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles.
• Make it better. We all have a responsibility to sustain the places we love.

Social Media (#RecreateResponsibly)

Stay connected with parks, programs, and partners on social media for up-to-date safety guidance and tips on how to #RecreateResponsibly. Do your part on social media! Use #RecreateResponsibly in your posts to show us how you enjoy public lands in a safe and responsible way and can inspire others to practice these principles.

For additional information, visit the website @

nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks

Find more