Guide
Fee-free days: when parks are free
A few days each year, the National Park Service and other federal agencies waive entrance fees entirely — no pass needed. If you already hold the America the Beautiful pass, fees are covered anyway, so fee-free days mainly help people without a pass.
The recurring fee-free days
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January)
- First day of National Park Week (April)
- Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)
- Great American Outdoors Act anniversary (August 4)
- National Public Lands Day (September)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
What fee-free days do and don’t waive
Fee-free days waive entrance fees only. Camping, tours, concessions, and reservation fees still apply — and timed-entry reservations, where required, are still needed. Exact dates shift year to year, so confirm on the official NPS fee-free days page before you plan around one.
Frequently asked
How many fee-free days are there each year?
Typically five to six, tied to holidays like MLK Day, the start of National Park Week, Juneteenth, the Great American Outdoors Act anniversary, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day. Exact dates change annually.
Do I still need a reservation on a fee-free day?
Yes, if the park requires a timed-entry or vehicle reservation. Fee-free days waive the entrance fee, not reservation requirements.
Are fee-free days worth planning around?
For a single visit without a pass, yes. But they’re the busiest days of the year at popular parks — and with the America the Beautiful pass your fees are already covered any day.
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