National parks are an American treasure, but visiting some of America's most popular natural sites isn't always in the budget.
Luckily, the National Park Service is once again offering a few complimentary visits to all national parks in 2024.
The entrance fee-free days for 2024 start with Monday, January 15 , for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day , followed by Saturday, April 20, for the First Day of National Park Week . Two more free days over the summer include Wednesday, June 19 , for Juneteenth and Sunday, August 4, for Great American Outdoors Day . Saturday, September 28, will be fee-free for National Public Lands Day , and the last fee-free day of the year will be Monday, November 11, for Veterans Day.
“National parks are places that awaken senses, inspire curiosity, encourage reflection, and foster joy,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said. “The entrance fee-free days expand opportunities for people to visit their national parks and experience the beauty and history of our country."
Already, about 75% of America's national parks are free to enter every day. More than 300 of the country’s more than 400 national parks don't require entry fees. The additional 100 parks with entrance fees have costs ranging from $10 to $35 per vehicle. Revenue from these fees typically helps support the costs of maintaining and upgrading the visitor experience, including enhancing accessibility, restoring wildlife habitat, providing ranger programs, and adding or upgrading restrooms, campgrounds, trails, and other facilities.
The fee waiver for the fee-free days applies only to National Park Service entrance fees and does not cover amenity or user fees for camping, boat launches, transportation, special tours, or other activities.