Here’s the 400+ National Parks Free On These 5 Days In 2023
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 2023
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 1/6/23
- Cabrillo National Monument – San Diego – (lighthouse and tidepools) – $20 vehicle, $15 motorcycle, $10 foot/bike fees 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, $15 foot/bike fees waived – fee details
- Lava Beds National Monument – Northeast California near Oregon border – $25 vehicle, $20 motorcycle, $10 foot/bike fees waived – fee details
- Muir Woods National Monument – Marin County – While the $15 entrance fee is waived, parking ($9) or shuttle ($3.50); 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 – fee details
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks – East of Fresno/Visalia – $35 vehicle, $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, $25 foot/bike/horse fee waived – fee details. 2023 reservation updates – A reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite for visitors arriving February 10–12, February 17–19, or February 24–26, 2023. A reservation will not be required in summer 2023.
Check out all the fee-free national parks in the nation.
Free Entrance Days in the National Parks | 2023
The National Park Service now offers five free days a year. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.
- 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
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.
