Are you ready to explore the beauty of nature and make memories with your family? Pack up for an adventure to one (or many) of America’s 420+ national parks, but you won’t need more than just a wallet full of smiles.
The National Park Service will waive entrance fees on five (5) free national park days in 2024! There are also other ways to get discounted and free national park passes that give you a full year of free park admission. So what are you waiting for? Get ready for an adventure with your family!
This article contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases.
Free National Park Days 2024
With a little planning, you can unlock some of America’s most spectacular national parks for free. The NPS free days listed below coincide with national holidays.
It’s true that many of the national parks are free year-round, but there are 107 NPS sites across the country that charge admission fees. These include Acadia, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Yellowstone which charge anywhere from $5 to $35 most days of the year. But if you plan your national park trips around the 5 national free days, you can save money and enjoy more of America’s natural wonders without paying a penny.
Mark your calendars now!
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 15, 2024
- First Day of National Park Week – April 20, 2024
- Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors – August 4, 2024
- National Public Lands Day – September 24, 2023
- Veterans Day – November 11, 2024
What You Should Know About National Park Fee-Free Days
Admission and/or transportation entrance fees are waived on the national park free days, but other fees such as those for camping, boat launches, tours and facilities, may still apply.
Related: Here are my best tips for camping inside the national parks.
Not all parks participate in national park fee-free days. For example, the national parks in Hawaii and other organic parks like national monuments, national seashores, national battlefields, or national historical sites may not participate. To find out whether your favorite park is participating in national free day events, check out the National Park Service website for more information.
Some parks require a reservation or timed entry ticket to enter, so it’s wise to plan in advance. A few include:
- Acadia’s Summit Road up to Cadillac Mountain will require vehicle registration from June through October.
- Arches National Park will require entrance tickets April 1 to Oct. 31
- Glacier National Park has four areas that will each require vehicle registration.
- Rocky Mountain National Park will require timed entry tickets May 26 to October 22
Be aware that parks may become crowded during national park fee-free days. Arrive early to secure a parking spot.
Related: Visiting Canada and want to explore a Parks Canada location? Children ages 17 and younger visit any of these National Parks free.
Can’t decide which park to visit first? See these guides for more on the best things to do in each:
- 25 Entertaining Family Activities in Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Mammoth Cave National Park – 5 Best Cave Tours for Families
- Visitors’ Guide to Joshua Tree National Park
- Our Guide to Help Plan Your Trip to Mesa Verde National Park
- The 5 Best Moab RV Parks For Your Type of Vacation Experience
Other Ways to Visit the National Parks for FREE
There are a number of ways to get a free annual park pass too.
4th Grade National Park Pass
The NPS offers a free Annual 4th Grade Pass which is valid for the duration of a student’s fourth-grade school year through the following summer. It grants free access/admission to national parks and other federal recreation sites managed by the NPS, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation. This pass is good for the student and anyone in the vehicle with them.
America the Beautiful Access Pass
U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a disability can get an access pass that grants unlimited access/admission to national parks and other federal recreation sites. Apply in person at a federal site or mail in the application.
Military Annual Access Pass
Active duty military members and their dependents also receive free annual national park passes.
Military Lifetime Access Pass
Gold star families and veterans are eligible for a free national park pass that never expires.
See the National Park Service website for more information on each of these access passes.
Can’t read now? Pin for later!
Discounted National Park Admission Pass
Outside of the free national park days, individual US National Park fees for admission range from $3 to $35. If you plan to visit multiple parks or return several times, it saves you money to buy an annual America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for $80.
America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
This access pass includes entrance fees to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all US national parks that charge an entrance fee outside the free National Park days. The annual pass also covers amenity and day-use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas. For sites that charge per person, the pass includes up to four adults. Children age 15 or under are admitted for free.
I buy this pass at REI for the sale $80 in the park, plus REI Coop donates 10% of each pass sale to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities. You can also buy it online, at national park visitor centers, or through authorized national park pass resellers.
America the Beautiful Senior Pass
U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are 62 and older can enjoy national parks for a discounted rate of $20 with the America the Beautiful Senior Pass. The pass grants unlimited access/admission to national parks and other federal recreation sites managed by the NPS, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation.
Visiting your favorite park on one of these free national park days is a great way to get outdoors and save some money. If you qualify for one of the free park passes, you can get out even more.
Before you start planning your next visit to one of the National Parks, read up on these other national parks article:
- 411 Before Visiting National Parks
- Tips for getting the most out of your National Park
- What You’ll Need for a Fun Family Road Trip + Weekend Packing List
Hiking Gear for National Parks
Outdoor Gear for Exploring National Parks
Take advantage of National Park Free days and be prepared for anything in the great outdoors. These are a few of my favorite essentials for exploring. Make sure you check the weather forecast before you head out as weather can change suddenly in many locations.
This waterproof Coleman tent is a breeze to set up and perfect for larger families or if you just need place to stash your gear. Camping under the stars in a national park is a memory you'll keep forever.
Keep these compact binoculars in your car or backpack. They have a comfortable large eyepiece and are easy to hang on to - even for younger kids.
Three season camping has never been more comfortable. These down bags will keep you cozy without getting overheated.
Sunscreen is not just for summer. Some of my worst sunburns have happened under cold, crisp winter skies. I love these sticks to keep in every bag so I am never without protection.
This is one of those products you hope you'll never need, but you'll be glad you have it if you need it. This pack has everything you'll need for basic first aid out on the trails.
When you're taking shorter hikes, a day pack is essential. Osprey bags have just enough room for your water bottle, jacket, and snacks. The straps are so comfortable, too.
Trekking poles give a little extra stability on uneven ground and loose rock. Leki poles are sturdy and light.
You never know when you might need clean water to drink. Lifestraws are easy to pack and have with you in case of emergencies.
Protect your eyes with a good pair of polarized sunglasses. The sun is bright up in the mountains and in the desert. all year round. Sunglasses are essential
I love stainless steel water bottles for keeping my water cold on the trail. Yeti bottles are high quality. Get one for everybody in the family.
Be prepared for any kind of weather when hiking through the national parks with Patagonia rain jackets. They are waterproof, breathable, and will last for years to come.
These will help you have a family adventure outdoors that will be spectacular!! Which national park will you visit first?
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
- Facebook Page
- Family Adventures Facebook Group
- Easy Camp Cooking Facebook Group
Don’t forget to invite your friends to our Facebook groups! We would also love to see your vacation pictures!
Ready to Start Planning Your Trip? Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!
- AIRFARE
- Find low fares with airfarewatchdog, Skyscanner, and WayAway.com.
- Get airfare deal alerts up to 90% off from Dollar Flight Club (free & paid membership options)
- Book your plane ticket with Expedia or Kayak
- Book your Airport Parking Reservations and save money.
- ROAD TRIP/CAR RENTAL
- Take the scenic route and rent an RV from RVShare
- Get packed for an epic road trip and don’t forget the Road Trip Games to Play in the Car Need more space? Get a rental car thru Discovercars.com.
- LODGING
- From hotels to private homes, find the perfect accommodation with Hotels.com or booking.com.
- For camping and RV campgrounds, find the ideal location with Campspot.
- PACKING
- Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Away and Eagle Creek.
- For packing cubes, we love these from Eagle Creek and these reusable silicon bags for a 3-1-1 bag from Stasher.
- TRAVEL PLANNING
- Looking to start travel hacking and want a place to keep track of it all? There’s the free TravelFreely site.
- For budgeting help, get our road trip budgeting tips here.
- ATTRACTIONS/ACTIVITIES
- Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with
- Tiqets for cultural events, museums, Broadway shows, etc.
- CityPASS for multi-day attraction passes at up to 55% off in select cities
- Get Your Guide and Viator for guided tours/excursions, day trips, and activitties
- Groupon for discounted local attractions and event tickets
- Undercover Tourister for discounted theme park tickets
- Find guided outdoor activities led by local guides at 57Hours.
- Find information on local trails with the AllTrails App.
- Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with
- LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
- We use and recommend Rosetta Stone to learn a new language. We bought the $179 lifetime option with unlimited access to ALL 25 of their languages.
- Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners.
For more family travel inspiration, check out our latest posts here:
- The Ultimate Guide to the Best Time to Cruise Alaska with Your Family
- OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark: The Ultimate Family Getaway in Oklahoma City
- Splash Around for 3 Days of Family Adventure along Tennessee’s Ocoee River
- Winter Wellness for the Whole Family: Snowshoeing, Saunas, and Outdoor Culture in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
- The Ultimate Teen-Friendly Paradise: Why Velas Vallarta Leads Puerto Vallarta’s All-Inclusive Scene
- Finding the Sweet Spot: A Family Stay at Buenaventura Grand Hotel Puerto Vallarta
Wow, free national park days in 2024! I’m excited about visiting Acadia or Yellowstone on these days. Planning a trip around them will be a great way to save. Any tips on which park to hit first? 😜