Over four hundred of America’s national parks are free everyday. But 118 of them aren’t. Luckily, the park system does offer free days, so you can go enjoy our beautiful country while remaining completely and totally frugal.
National Park Free Entrance Days for 2017
This weekend is one of those times. On Saturday and Sunday, you can get into any national park for free. Here are the rest of the free days for 2017:
April 22-23, 2017
All of the free days in April are in celebration of National Parks Week.
August 25, 2017
Parks will be open for free in recognition of the National Park Service’s Birthday.
September 30, 2017
Admission will be free in honor of National Public Lands Day.
November 11-12, 2017
Enjoy some of that free fall foliage on Veterans’ Day Weekend.
Which National Parks require an entrance fee?
I’ve been lucky to travel a good bit in my time. National parks always bring such a sense of awe and wonder. It’s one thing to wander around in the wood in your backyard. It’s a completely different thing to spend time in pristine, protected wilderness.
Some of my favorites national parks that will be waiving their fees on free days are:
- Acadia National Park in Maine
- Yellowstone in Wyoming/Idaho
- The Badlands in South Dakota
- The Wright Brothers Memorial in North Carolina
- Arches National Park in Utah
- Fort McHenry National Memorial/Historic Site in Maryland (This is where the lyrics to our national anthem was written.)
There’s a ton of others, too. I was surprised to find the ones in my own back yard that I never knew existed. To find some near you, you can check out the National Park Service’s website.
Free National Park Admission in Canada
If you happen to be visiting our neighbors to the north, you should know they have some pretty amazing national parks, too. Canada is celebrating it’s 150th birthday this year, and in honor of that fact, they are giving away national park passes for free.
The only catch?
You have to get your pass in advance.
We’d love to hear about your national park experiences! Tell us about them in the comments section.
This is great to know. You’re right, it is amazing how many national parks exist in our back yards. I know there are several places in my own state I’ve never explored.
For the last couple years our provincial government was allowing free entry into the parks. It was awesome. It got a lot more people out and enjoying them. It’s a shame it’s ending.
Thanks for the tips. I will remember this next time I am in the US.
I love yellowstone!
always great to know!! I bet a lot in Oregon have similar cheap days, i should check them out.
@Lindy…I know. I was so surprised when I checked out that list. Love being a tourist in my own town when I start to get a little bit of wanderlust.
@Miss T–That’s so great! Fee-free days that last for years? Canada is awesome. To be honest, I’ve never paid a fee in Acadia before, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t activities that require it. It may also be because we’re always visiting family when we’re up there…maybe they cover stuff that I’m not aware of.
@Elle–Me too! Old Faithful’s sulfur made me sick, but it was totally worth seeing. Went back country backpacking, too.
@Miss Caitlin– They do! Crater Lake National Park and Lewis and Clark National Historical Park are both included. You can see them throughout the whole country if you click on the national park link above.
Thabks for compiling this list of dates! Makes me want to get in the car and go go go!! I was hoping to take advantage of Canadas free entry this year but it doesn’t look like this summer will be a good time. Thank goodness there are other options. 🙂
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