2018 National Parks Free Admission Days

Tracy Knutsen

Don’t forget to take advantage of the national parks free admission program. Hint…the first one is January 15!  Start making plans to take advantage of this amazing program when Uncle Sam throws open the gates to so many of our nation treasures.

National parks free admission happens on these days in 2018:

  • January 15 –
    Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • April 21
  • First day of National Park Week
  • September 22
  • National Public Lands Day
  • November 11
    Veterans Day
Only 120  of our country’s 409 national parks usually charge an entrance fee. See the list of parks participating in free days here.  Start planning your visits to Carlsbad Caverns, Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Padre Island, Cape Cod, even the Grand Canyon!
Grand Canyon
If you’re taking a trip that includes multiple national parks, you might consider the $80 annual pass that provides entrance to all national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and many other Federal lands-more than 2,000 in all. The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is offered free to all active duty military members and their dependents to lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service. The Program also offers a free lifetime pass for people with disabilities, and a free pass for 4th graders! Information on these and other pass options is available online.
And, in fact, many parks do not charge any entrance fees year-round.  So, there are many ways to plan a fantastic national park excursion without breaking the bank.
*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Where will you go?  Have you been to any of these parks with your family?  Have any great tips or advice for the rest of us?  Be sure to share in the Comments!

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71 thoughts on “2018 National Parks Free Admission Days”

  1. Great reminder to go out and visit our National Parks! I live in DC and it’s wonderful that there’s so much to visit here free!

  5. I’ve been to quite a few of the National Parks, but there are plenty left for me to explore. My favorites so far are Assateague Island National Seashore (you can camp in the Maryland side of the park and you’ll wake up to the wild horses right in your campsite), the Smoky Mountains (begin your visit at Sugarlands Visitor Center and buy a hiking trails map so you don’t get lost- also Cades Cove is amazing but very crowded during the month of October so if you plan to visit- consider a different time of the year), and the Grand Canyon. If you’re pressed for time, it doesn’t matter- stop anyway. My family only had about an hour and a half on our trip last fall to see the Grand Canyon and thought about skipping it. I’m so glad we didn’t. It was amazing and unless you’re planning to watch the movie about the park, participate in an interpretive program or hike, 1 1/2 to 2 hours was plenty. Go right before sunset and during the less busy time of year. It’s stunning.

    1. Hi Tonya! Great advice on the Grand Canyon. It was probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. We’re not too far from the Smoky Mountains in Atlanta, and have driven through several times. We’ll definitely stop the next time.

  6. Thanks for the reminder – I’ve been to many of these, most recently the Redwoods. I might have to take the kids back to Yosemite this year – if we get any water out here in CA, that is!

    1. You’re welcome Victoria! It’s easy to forget how close a national park always seems to be. My husband reminded me that the Statue of Liberty sits on a national park and he enjoyed visiting when he lived in New York.

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