Dubbed America’s best idea, national parks were first introduced 150 years ago in an effort to preserve some of the most special places in the country and allow people from all over the world to enjoy them. In 2023, the National Park Service will make visiting the parks even more accessible for everyone by granting five fee-free days.

While some parks are always free to visit, many sites, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Zion National Parks typically charge an entrance fee. There are over 400 national parks in the US, so whether you’re looking for a quick day trip to see some of America’s best scenery, planning an epic getaway, or want to backpack through the backcountry, there’s something for everyone.

Fee-Free Dates

The fee-free days will be held to celebrate holidays and milestones in the history of natural preservation. The waived fee on free entrance days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours. These days can get busy, so make sure to plan ahead!

Below are the designated free entrance days for 2023:

• January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 22: First day of National Park Week
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 23: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

Participating Parks

Ready to plan your trip? See below for a roundup of some of the participating parks, and find one to visit near you:

New York:

• Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
• Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
• Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
• Thomas Edison National Historical Park (New Jersey)

Chicago:

• Indiana Dunes National Park
• Gateway Arch National Park (formerly Jefferson National Expansion Memorial)

California:

• Cabrillo National Monument
• Death Valley National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Lava Beds National Monument
• Muir Woods National Monument
• Pinnacles National Park
• San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
• Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
• Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
• Yosemite National Park

Texas:

• Big Bend National Park
• Fort Davis National Historic Site
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park
• Padre Island National Seashore

Want to maximize your savings? These are the participating parks with the highest entrance fees:

• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
• Glacier National Park, Montana
• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
• Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California
• Yellowstone National Park, Montana
• Yosemite National Park, California
• Zion National Park, Utah
  

To see a complete list of participating parks, click here.