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Love the outdoors? A trip to a national park could be a great bet. And on some days, you won’t even pay. Find out what you need to know.
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Many people bank their credit card points in order to pull off a fabulous vacation. And while you could save up for a stay at a luxury resort in the Caribbean or visit one of the country’s many theme parks, if you’re the outdoorsy type who loves hiking, nature, and great scenery, then a trip to a national park could be a great bet.
The U.S. national parks system consists of more than 400 locations. Of those, 109 parks charge an admission fee. But there are certain times of the year when you can visit a national park without having to spend any money at all.
When you can get into a national park for free
In 2024, national parks are free on these dates:
Jan. 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. DayApril 20: The first day of National Park WeekJune 19: Juneteenth National Independence DayAug. 4: The anniversary of the Great American Outdoors ActSept. 28: National Public Lands DayNov. 11: Veterans Day
To give you an idea of what savings you might reap by visiting on one of these dates, Acadia National Park in Maine currently charges a $35 per-vehicle admission fee. If you ride in by motorcycle, you’ll pay $30. And if you enter the park on foot (not an easy thing to do, since it’s in a remote area and you need to get there somehow), it’s $20. So visiting on June 19, for example, could mean not having to spend whichever fee would apply to you.
There may be a better time to visit a national park
Visiting a national park on one of the above dates might mean having your admission fee waived, but it also might mean having to battle larger crowds. As it is, parking is an issue at some of the more popular parks, with many lots being filled to capacity during peak season and forcing visitors to turn around. So if you want a less packed experience, you may want to visit at a more off-peak time.
In fact, some people will tell you to avoid certain national parks during the summer months because that’s when the crowds tend to intensify. Visiting outside of that window might be more pleasant, though in some parts of the country, the period of fall foliage (which can run from late September to early November) can be just as busy.
Of course, you will need to be mindful of weather-related constraints when planning a trip to a national park. Some parks, like those in the northern part of the country, might technically stay open during the cold weather months, but roads may be impassible at that time.
It could pay to buy a national parks pass
Seeking out free admission to a national park may not be as easy as you’d think. So one idea to consider is buying an annual pass for $80 (or only $20 for seniors!), which will give you access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks that usually charge an entrance fee.
Although the cost of admission to a national park varies by location, for the most part, you’re looking at a per-vehicle fee of at least $20. So if you visit five parks in a year, the pass pays for itself. For parks that charge $35 to get in, your pass pays for itself in just three visits.
If you’re going to aim to visit multiple national parks this year, plan ahead. In some cases, it can be difficult to secure lodging near a park due to there being a limited amount of it. Booking in advance could help ensure that you don’t get closed out-of-area hotels and campgrounds.
One final way to save
Visiting a national park on a free admission day or buying an annual pass could save you a nice sum of money. But you should also know that if you have a fourth grade student in your family, you can apply for an annual pass that gives you free access to the national parks system from September through August of your child’s fourth grade academic year. And if you have multiple children, you have multiple opportunities to gain free admission to the national park system for a year.
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