To commemorate Juneteenth on June 19, 2025, the National Park Service will provide free entry to all NPS sites that typically charge an entrance fee. This offers visitors the opportunity to save on parking, admission, and museum costs at parks across the U.S., including some of the most scenic destinations near Los Angeles.
2025 Free National Park Days
Juneteenth marks the third of six free entrance days at national parks this year, selected to celebrate meaningful holidays and historic events. The next opportunity won’t come until August, so be sure to take advantage of the upcoming free entry next Thursday, June 19th.
- Jan. 20: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday
- Apr. 19: First day of National Park Week
- June 19: Juneteenth
- Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- Sept. 27: National Public Lands Day
- Nov. 11: Veterans Day
NPS sites and parks to visit around Southern California
Hundreds of NPS sites around the country will offer free admission on June 19th, but many Angelenos will likely take advantage of this deal to visit some gems around SoCal. Here are a few to consider visiting.
- Joshua Tree National Park – The Mojave and Colorado Deserts merge to create a fascinating ecosystem in Joshua Tree, with an alluring landscape of diverse flora and fauna across 800,000 acres. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach from L.A. by car.
- Death Valley National Park – As the nation’s lowest, driest, and hottest national park, Death Valley offers an interesting glimpse at plant and animal species that exist nowhere else in the world. It takes about 3.5 hours to reach from L.A. by car.
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks – Explore dramatic landscapes including sheer rock faces, watersheds, glaciers, and over 200 miles of caves concealing rare minerals and fossils. It takes about 4.5 hours to reach from L.A. by car.
🌐 Visit the NPS website to learn more about 2025 free entrance days.