National Parks Free Admission Days

Mark your calendars for Fee Free Days at all National Parks in California and across the nation! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to all U.S. citizens and residents.

New in 2026: The busiest National Parks will charge a $100 fee plus admission (or optionally buy a $250 America the Beautiful Pass) for international visitors over the age of 16 years.  In California, that includes: Yosemite National Park | Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park.

Other National Park charging $100 include: Acadia | Bryce Canyon | Everglades | Glacier | Grand Canyon | Grand Teton | Rocky Mountain | Yellowstone | Zion |

2026 Fee Free Days

The National Park Service Fee Free Days in 2026

 

• February 16, 2026  Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
• May 25, 2026  Memorial Day
• June 14, 2026  Flag Day (President Trump's Birthday)
• July 3–5, 2026  Independence Day weekend
• August 25, 2026  National Park Service 110th Birthday
• September 17, 2026  Constitution Day
• October 27, 2026  Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
• November 11, 2026  Veterans Day

California's National Parks that usually charge fees, but waive them for the FREE DAYS

Cabrillo National Monument
Death Valley National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lava Beds National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument - Parking reservations are  required via GoMuirWoods.com ahead of your visit. 
Pinnacles National Park
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks - Generals Highway. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Yosemite National Park - A reservation may be required to drive into Yosemite, check ahead before going

Fee Free Days are held annually and generally are observed for the same events each year, with some slight modifications. Here is an historical record of the free admission days we've previously promoted:

2022 Free Days

January 16, 2022 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
April 16, 2022 First Day of National Park Week
August 4, 2022 Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
September 24, 2022 National Public Lands Day
November 11, 2022 Veterans Day

2021 Free Days

January 18, 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
April 17, 2021 Start of National Park Week
August 4, 2021 Great American Outdoors Act Signing Day
August 25, 2021 National Park Service Anniversary
September 25, 2021 National Public Lands Day
November 11, 2021 Veterans Day

2020 Free Days

January 20, 2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
April 18, 2020 First day of National Park Week
August 25, 2020 National Park Service Birthday
September 26, 2020 National Public Lands Day
November 11, 2020 Veterans Day

2019 Fee Free Days

January 21, 2019 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 20, 2019 First day of National Park Week
August 25, 2019 National Park Service Birthday
September 28, 2019 National Public Lands Day
November 11, 2019 Veterans Day

2018 Fee Free Days

January 15, 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
April 21, 2018 First Day of National Park Week
September 22, 2018 Public Lands Day
November 11, 2018 Veterans Day Weekend

2017 Fee Free Days

January 16, 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 20, 2017 Presidents Day
April 15-16 & April 22-23, 2017 National Park Week Weekends
August 25, 2017 National Park Service Birthday
September 30, 2017 National Public Lands Day
November 11-12, 2017 Veterans Day Weekend

2016 Free Days

January 18, 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
April 16-24, 2016 National Park Week
August 25-28, 2016 National Park Service Birthday
September 24, 2016 National Public Lands Day
November 11, 2016 Veterans Day

How it works: Many national parks are free every day. However, many are not, and the fee free days invite the public to enter these fee-based parks free during the offers. Be aware that popular parks such as Yosemite National Park place admission limits due to traffic congestion and other concerns. Please check with your destination before going.