From newly added holidays to the culling of a historic date, we share the days in 2026 when US national parks are free
If you look up the top 10 most followed accounts on Instagram, it probably wouldn’t surprise you that eight of them are American (the other two being Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi). After all, America has been at the forefront of popular culture for as long as most of us can remember.
America has given us some of history’s most influential movies (Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, ET), biggest-selling artists (Michael Jackson, Elvis, Taylor Swift) and best inventions (the lightbulb, the airplane, GPS).
Its most significant export, however, is bigger than all of this.
America has traded most heavily on freedom. Economic freedom, sexual freedom, individual freedom. The American Dream, Hollywood, The Open Road. America sells us not just the bright lights of LA and New York but also the dizzying chasm of the Grand Canyon, the giant domes of Yosemite, the otherworldly colours of Yellowstone.
Its cities may be iconic but nowhere is the US more American than in its national parks. This year, all 63 national parks are once again opening for free on designated dates – albeit with some key changes.
2026 days when US national parks are free
- Presidents Day and George Washington’s birthday (16th February)
- Memorial Day (25th May)
- Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday (14th June)
- Fourth of July celebrations (3rd, 4th, 5th July)
- 110th birthday of the National Park Service (25th August)
- Constitution Day (17th September)
- Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (27th October)
- Veterans Day (11th November)
Free for US citizens and residents only
Previously, the designated days when US national parks are free applied to everyone. Domestic and international tourists alike were welcomed at no cost.
In 2026, however, fee-free entry will be offered to US citizens and permanent residents only.
Note that only the entrance fee is waived. Extra charges (e.g. parking, specific reservations, tours) will still apply.
The dates that are no longer free
In 2025, the days when US national parks are free included the below. Under the Trump administration, however, they are no longer in the calendar.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (the third Monday in January: this year, 19th January)
- First day of National Park Week (in April; this year, 18th April)
- Juneteenth (19th June)
- Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (4th August)
- National Public Lands Day (the fourth Saturday in September: this year, 26th September)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day has offered fee-free access to US national parks for 15 years and this change has understandably dismayed civil rights leaders across the US.
Parks that are always free
If the prospect of queues and crowds is too daunting, you may wish to visit one of the many US national parks you can visit for free year round. Again, extra charges (parking, reservations, tours) may still apply.
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