Free National Parks Day 2021 | National Park Service Birthday

Sometimes you’ve just got to get away from it all and clear your head with the peace and serenity of a national park.

On certain “fee-free” days throughout the year, enjoy free entry to all national parks and monuments including Muir Woods and Yosemite National Park, and free admission aboard all of the historic vessels at the Hyde Street Pier of SF’s Maritime National Historical Park.

Please always check with each National Park before heading out to confirm that the park and its facilities are open and admission is free. 

Free National Parks Days 2025

Parks listed on this page typically waive their entrance fees on nationally designated fee free dates. Please check with each park below for operating hours and event schedules. See the latest updates.

Participating California National Parks – See the full list
*Last Updated 12/12/25

• Cabrillo National Monument – San Diego – (lighthouse and tidepools) – $20 vehicle, $15 motorcycle, $10 foot/bike fees waived – fee details
• Death Valley National Park– Mostly in Inyo County (near the border of CA & NV) – $30 vehicle, $25 motorcycle, $15 per person fee waived – fee details
• Joshua Tree National Park – Riverside/San Bernardo Counties – $30 vehicle, $25 motorcycle, $15 foot/bike fees waived – fee details
  
• Lassen Volcanic National Park – Near Redding – $30 vehicle ($10 in winter), $25 motorcycle ($10 in winter), $15 per person fee ($10 in winter) waived – fee details
  
• Lava Beds National Monument – Northeast California near Oregon border – $25 vehicle, $20 motorcycle, $15 foot/bike fees waived – fee details
  
• Muir Woods National Monument – Marin County – While the $15 entrance fee is waived, parking ($9.50) or shuttle ($3.75); reservations are required, even on “free” days. Get shuttle info – fee details
  
• Pinnacles National Park – 80 miles southeast of San Jose – $30 vehicle, $25 motorcycle, $15 foot/bike fees waived – fee details
  
• San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park – Fisherman’s Wharf/Hyde St. Pier – $15 per person fee waived, includes access to historic ships Since November 4, 2024, the $15 fee has been temporarily suspended – fee details
  
• Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks– East of Fresno/Visalia – $35 vehicle, $30 motorcycle, $20 individual pass waived – fee details
  
• Whiskeytown National Recreation Area – Shasta County – $25 vehicle, $20 motorcycle, $15 foot/bike fees waived – fee details
  
• Yosemite National Park – $35 car, $30 motorcycle, $20 foot/bike/horse fee waived – fee details

2025 Yosemite Reservation Updates

>> Please note, NPS will announce details on plans for managing visitor access in summer 2025 by the end of the year. – Last checked Dec. 13, 2024

Here’s the reservation details from 2024:
A reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite for visitors on select dates in 2024.

A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park on some days in February 2024 and from April 13 through October 27, 2024, for those driving into the park between 5 am and 4 pm as follows:

• • February 2024: A reservation is required February 10-11, February 17-19, February 24-25
  • April 13 through June 30, 2024: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19).
  • July 1 through August 16, 2024: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm every day.
  • August 17 through October 27, 2024: A reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (September 2 and October 14).

Driving through the park will also require a reservation if entering between 5 am and 4 pm. If you are planning to visit after peak hours, please do not arrive before 4 pm; vehicles blocking roads will be cited.

Check out all the fee-free national parks in the nation.

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks | 2025

The National Park Service now offers six free days a year. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.

• January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• April 19: First day of National Park Week
• June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 27: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

National parks are America’s best idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The others are free all the time.

The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

In addition, there are also free or discounted passes available for senior citizens, current members of the military, families of fourth-grade students, and disabled citizens. Learn more about the variety of passes offered by the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass series.