Explore National Parks: Free
Did you know there's at least one national park site in every U.S. state?
Now groups have the chance to visit fee-free! Throughout 2019, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission on five special days.
Learn what days should be on your radar.
National parks truly are among America's dearest treasures—and the fee-free days provide a great opportunity for groups of all kinds to discover a new place or visit an old favorite. Last year, 331 million people visited national parks spending $18.2 billion, which supported 306,000 jobs across the country and had a $35.8 billion impact on the U.S. economy.
The National Park System includes more than 85 million acres and includes national parks, national historical parks, national monuments, national recreation areas, national battlefields and national seashores.
Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates in 2019:
- January 21: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- April 20:First day of National Park Week
- August 25:National Park Service Birthday
- September 28:National Public Lands Day
- November 11:Veterans Day
"The entrance fee-free days hosted by the National Park Service are special opportunities to invite visitors, volunteers and veterans to celebrate some important moments for our parks and opportunities for service in those parks," said National Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith.
Only 115 of the 418 parks managed by the National Park Service charge entrance fees regularly, with fees ranging from $5 to $35; the other 303 national parks do not have entrance fees.
NOTE: The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation or special tours.
Learn more and get out and explore!
Written by Sarah Suydam, Staff Writer for Groups Today.
Photo courtesy of NPS/M. Quinn.
