Happy New Year, Los Angeles! 🎉 The National Park Service has announced its new lineup of free National Park days for 2026, but there’s a huge change compared with past years. While you can still enjoy stunning national parks without an entrance fee, the dates — and who qualifies — have shifted for 2026.
In 2026, the National Park Service is offering 10 fee-free entrance days at more than 400 national parks that normally charge entry fees, but these free days now apply only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
đź“… 2026 Free National Park Days
Here are the 10 fee-free dates (for U.S. residents only) for 2026:
- February 16, 2026 – President’s Day
- May 25, 2026 – Memorial Day
- June 14, 2026 – Flag Day
- July 3–5, 2026 – Independence Day weekend
- August 25, 2026 – 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- September 17, 2026 – Constitution Day
- October 27, 2026 – Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- November 11, 2026 – Veterans Day
(Remember: Free entry means the standard entrance fee is waived, but additional costs like parking, special tours, camping, or timed-entry reservations may still apply.)
🚨 Important 2026 Policy Changes
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the National Park Service is implementing significant changes to how park passes work. Here are a few of the major changes in the new year:
Traditional Free Days Removed
Some days that had been free in previous years, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, are no longer included in the 2026 free-entry calendar.
Resident-Only Free Days
Starting in 2026, free entrance days are officially limited to U.S. citizens and residents. Non-U.S. residents must pay normal entrance fees (and any additional non-resident charges) even on these fee-free days.
Fee Changes
In 2026 there is also a new entry fee structure:
- U.S. residents pay for an $80 annual “America the Beautiful” pass.
- Non-residents must purchase a separate $250 annual pass. Alternatively, non-residents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person surcharge at 11 of the most visited national parks, on top of the standard entrance fee.