In the United States, there are 409 areas, including over 50 national parks, managed by the National Park Service. Many are always free, but in 108 parks, an entrance fee ranging from $7 to $35 is required. However, every year, there are days when entrance fees are waived!
The National Park Service has announced the free entrance days for 2024. There are a total of six dates:
- January 15, 2024: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 20, 2024: Start of the National Park Week
- June 19, 2024: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- August 4, 2024: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- September 28, 2024: National Public Lands Day
- November 11, 2024: Veterans Day
Further information can be found on the National Park Service website. Depending on the park, there may be additional days when entrance fees are waived. Information about this is usually available on the Fees & Passes page of each park, e..g in Sequoia & King Canyon.
In many parks, you can also camp, rent a cabin, and/or participate in tours. Fees for these activities are exempt from the fee-free days and must still be paid. However, these are all optional.
Regular Admission: $7 – $35
The regular entrance fees for U.S. national parks are quite fair. Typically, fees are per vehicle, and you simply pay e.g. US$35 (~€33) for all occupants, allowing you to explore the park for a total of 7 days.
There is also an annual pass (America the Beautiful Annual Pass) for US$80 (~€75). Although the annual pass for 2023 is currently being offered, it has not yet been updated for the upcoming year. With this pass, you can visit all national parks in the United States for a full 12 months, bringing all occupants of a vehicle or yourself + 4 adults into any national park.
Why Visiting on Free Days Might Not Always Be a Good Idea
For bargain hunters, it’s tempting to save the entrance fee. However, especially for annual pass holders, it may make sense to steer clear of the parks on the mentioned days. Particularly near major cities, the national and state parks are often even more crowded than usual. And for someone stuck in a two-hour traffic jam in Yosemite National Park, there’s little to gain:
This is not only true for the free days. Even on national holidays (e.g., the Fourth of July), it can get particularly crowded. We recommend opting for less-visited national parks on such days. Here are the top 10 national parks with the fewest visitors (many of them in Alaska).
Impressions
Here are some impressions from the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park. Simply unforgettable:
Even if you’re not into hiking, the national parks offer a lot. In most parks, you can drive from viewpoint to viewpoint with your own car (it’s the USA, after all) and marvel at nature. However, if you want to go hiking, check online with the respective parks in advance, as some parks require a permit beforehand. Information can usually be found on the Permits & Reservations page.
Cover Picture: ©Yujia - stock.adobe.com
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Thank you very much!