Here's Every Free National Park Day in 2025

07.12.2024 02:55

Most U.S. national parks are free to enter, but some of the most well known and highly trafficked parks require an entry fee for all those looking to experience the great outdoors. If you want to get in these parks without coughing up any money, there are six days next year you can choose from to visit.

Every year, the National Park Service invites guests on its free entry days to come experience the beauty of these sites without paying a dime. "Whether you are a family looking for a weekend getaway, friends seeking a memorable outing, or even solo adventurers desiring to connect with nature, free entrance days make it easier for everyone to explore the parks," the agency said in a statement announcing the 2025 dates.

If you're looking to go to popular parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, or Zion, plan your family's next getaway around one of the six free entry days.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 20)

January might not be an ideal time to visit some parks, but for the more arid ones that can get scorching in the summer, going in the winter might be the ideal time. In that case, plan a day trip for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20.

First Day of National Park Week (April 19)

National Park Week has been around for more than three decades and serves as a reminder of the breathtaking beauty of our national parks. You can get in to any national park for free on Saturday, April 19 to mark the first day of the celebratory week.

Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 and remains one of the National Park Service's free entry days next year. Next year, June 19 falls on a Thursday.

Great American Outdoors Act Signing Day (Aug. 4)

The Great American Outdoors Act was signed in 2020 and is a critical piece of legislation that fully and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provided nearly $10 billion to address the many maintenance and accessibility issues at U.S. national parks. Celebrate the fifth anniversary of its signing with free entry to national parks on Monday, Aug. 4.

National Public Lands Day (Sept. 27)

National Public Lands Day is the perfect time to explore our national parks, as the heat from summer has begun to dissipate by Sept. 27 and many crowds have begun to taper off for the season. Even better, next year, Sept. 27 falls on a Saturday.

Veterans Day (Nov. 11)

As the last federal holiday before the Thanksgiving and winter holiday season, Veterans Day can sometimes be the last chance to experience some parks before they become desolate or partially inaccessible as they're blanketed by snow. Next year, Nov. 11 falls on a Tuesday.