We LOVE visiting National Parks. There are so many amazing places to visit throughout the nation, and Utah is filled with National Parks and Monuments. We think visiting a National Park is the perfect family adventure. Visiting the National Parks for free makes it even better.
We always get excited when we see the list of entrance fee FREE days. Every year the National Parks service offers a bunch of free days throughout the year. This discount day also includes National Monuments and other sites run by the NPS. That means there are a lot of amazing places to visit for FREE!
The National Parks have some great programs for kids, especially their Junior Ranger program. And most National Parks encourage families to explore outside which is a wonderful way to build family relationships and have fun!
You can check the list of parks participating to make sure the park you plan to visit is on the list. And remember: entrance fees are covered, but some special fees like cave tour fees are not included in the free admission category.
National Park Fee Free Days
Here are the National Parks Free Days in 2023.
- January 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 22: Opening Day of National Park Week
- August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- September 23: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veteran’s Day
Free admission days are a great way to visit a National Park near you, or one you’ve been hoping to visit. Sometimes these days can be busy and crowded depending on their popularity and location. If avoiding crowds is your things, then you might consider using one of the following passes instead.
Other Ways to Save at National Parks
- Annual Pass: $80. We have found that if we are going to visit more than one National Park in a year, which we almost always do, this pass is worth it. And you are supporting the National Parks System.
- Military Annual Pass: Free for current US Military members and their dependents.
- Military Lifetime Pass: FREE for US military veterans with a valid, veteran ID and Gold Star Families with a valid Gold Star Family Voucher
- Every Kid Outdoors Pass: Free for every current 4th grader from September – August of their school year.
- Senior Pass: There are actually two different passes for US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 or older.
- $80 Lifetime Senior Pass
- $20 Annual Senior Pass
- Access Pass: Free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship.
- Volunteer Pass: Free for a year for volunteers who have volunteered 250 hours in one of the national sites.
- For a complete list of all of the passes with more details about each one, visit the National Parks website.
Use OUR National Park Resources
We have visited many National Parks and other National Sites throughout the United States, especially the West. We love the scenery, the history, the junior ranger program, and the unique places. Use our National Parks page to see where we have been and to read our guides for each national site we have visited.
