It took me a little longer to update this article than it has in past years. I usually try to get it up at the beginning of January to alert people to the National Park free day on MLK Day.

This year, it didn’t feel as urgent.

Because MLK Day wasn’t free. Juneteenth – which was added as a fee-free day in 2024 – was also removed from the list in 2026.

Read the obvious into that if you will. It’s not particularly discreet.

There are other changes to the fee-free days at National Parks this year that make them not as free. But first, we’ll get into the dates.

National Park Free Entrance Days for 2026

Prior to 2018, there were weeks-worth of free National Park Days. But in the years since, the number has been cut down.  Here are the days that are fee-free – for some people – in 2026.

• President’s Day. New addition this year. February 16, 2026. Holiday traditionally celebrates Lincoln and Washington, but the NPS website is only highlighting Washington’s birthday.
• Memorial Day. New addition this year. May 25, 2026.
• Flag Day. New addition this year. June 14, 2026. NPS website is also highlighting this as the current president’s birthday.
• Fourth of July Weekend. New addition this year. July 3—5, 2026.
• NPS’s Birthday. New addition this year. August 25, 2026.
• Day the Constitution was signed. New addition this year. September 17, 2026.
• Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthday. New addition this year. October 27, 2026.
• Veterans Day. Only day that’s consistent from last year. November 11, 2026.

Days that are no longer free

In addition to MLK Day and Juneteenth, this year’s calendar also removed the first day of National Park Week, the Great American Outdoors Act day, and National Public Lands Day from the list of fee-free days.

Who gets to use fee-free days at National Parks?

For the first time in 2026, fee-free days are not free for everyone. You have to be a U.S. citizen or resident to qualify.

In addition to restricting fee-free days, for non-residents and international visitors over the age of 16 there is a new $100 per person fee in addition to normal park-entrance fees. America the Beautiful passes, which get you into National Parks for $80 as a citizen or resident, are a whopping $250 for international visitors.

You will be asked for proof of citizenship when buying your pass. It has to be a passport, state-issued ID, or resident card.

The citizenship documentation also applies to ACCESS card applicants. This is the free-admission pass for disabled people. In this case, a birth certificate can also be used. This has not been a requirement for these life-long passes before – many people get the passes when they show up to the park, and Americans don’t usually carry around their proof of citizenship with them on vacation.

The documentation requirement for disability used to be lower – you could use a state-issued card for Medicaid in many instances. Today, you need a whole doctor’s note or proof of SSI/SSDI certification.

Supposedly these citizenship/residency checks will not be used for immigration enforcement. But early into the year, trust in these types of promises has been eroded. The new requirement is causing some visitors to turn around at the gate – this is not a normal practice people in America are accustomed to.

Free Entry to National Parks Year Round

If you fall into any of the following demographics, you can get a free national park pass. You only need one per vehicle to get into the park, so if anyone in your family falls into one of these categories, you may be able to get the entire clan in for free. With all the rule changes this year, it’s probably best to call ahead and check.

• You are a 4th grader. Eligibility starts on your first day of fourth grade in America and ends on your first day of fifth grade. This is the only pass that doesn’t explicitly list proof of citizenship/residency on the government website at the time of writing, though you may want to do more research yourself.
• You are a member of the military or a military dependent.
• You are a federal lands volunteer with at least 250 hours under your belt.

You can learn more about each of these programs here.

TIP: Some of these passes get you half off camping grounds, too. We’ve talked before about how this can be particularly helpful if you’re planning a National Park RV trip on a budget.

Not-Free Annual Pass

Depending on how often you visit National Parks, it might make sense to invest in an annual pass. There are different prices for different parts of the population.

Annual Pass – $80 – $250

This is the pass for the vast majority of people. You’ll have to pay an annual fee, and you can get it if you are:

• An American citizen between the ages of 16 — 62 for $80.
• An international visitor – for the increased fee of $250 rather than $80.

If you’re just visiting one park that has a per-car fee, this pass might not save you money – unless you’re an international visitor facing that new $100 per person charge without an annual pass.

But U.S. citizens or residents who are doing multiple entries or visiting multiple parks might keep some extra cash in their wallet with the $80 pass.

Senior Annual Pass – $20

If you’re age 62 or over and have proof of citizenship or residency, you can get the annual pass for just $20, which is far more likely to save you money over the $80/year option.

Senior Lifetime Pass – $80

Want the senior pass to last beyond this year? If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident, you can pay $80 once and hold it for the rest of your life. You can only get this pass if you’re age 62 or older.

Getting into Canadian National Parks for Free

The first way to get into Canadian national parks for free is by using the Canada Strong Pass between June 19 and September 7, 2026.

Year-round, free admission is granted via a Canoo mobile app. This method is reserved for those who have become Canadian citizens in the past year, or people who have immigrated to Canada in the past year.

The second way to get into Canadian National Parks for free is to be young. Anyone under 17 years of age can get into national parks for free all the time. Find out more about the youth program here.

Another group of people that get into Canadian national parks for free are support persons for disabled travelers. You don’t have to be a professional — support people can be family members, friends OR professional aides. If the person needs assistance to visit the park, you as the support person get in for free.

The final group of people to get into Canadian national parks for free? Since 2024, that’s been military members and veterans. If you want to claim this discount, be sure to bring your CF One Platinum card or your Veteran’s Service Card.