2023 National Park Service Fee FREE Days
Keeping with its longstanding tradition, the National Park Service has announced its’ fee-free days for 2023. On those days, visitors can enter any American national park for free, regardless of its standard admission fee.
“We want everyone to experience national parks,” says National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “The entrance fee-free days encourage people to discover the beauty, history and inspiration awaiting them in more than 400 national parks throughout the country.”
The Park Service will waive the entry fee on five occasions in 2023. These include:
January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
April 22 – First Day of National Park Week
August 4 – Great American Outdoors Day
September 23 – National Public Lands Day
November 11 – Veterans Day
Fee-free days were initially established to increase access to national parks. However, most NPS locations are free to enter on any day of the year—only about 100 of the 400+ national parks require an entry fee, ranging in price from $5 to $35. The money collected is typically used to pay for infrastructure, visitor education programs, habitat restoration projects and other park services.
If you plan to explore more than one park this year like I am, the $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is an incredible deal. In addition, be sure to purchase a Passport Book and collect stamps commemorating your visit.
