Free National Parks Day on “National Public Lands Day”
Sometimes you’ve just got to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy the serenity of a national park.
In normal times, 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.
Free National Parks Day
Participating California National Parks – See the list2020 COVID / WILDFIRE UPDATES – Parks listed on this page typically waive their entrance fees on nationally designated fee free dates. But some parks may not yet be open to the public. Please check with each park the link below for operating hours and event schedules. See the latest updates.
- Cabrillo National Monument – Phased approach to increase access to the park. Outdoors areas and restrooms open from 9 am to 5 pm. Indoor facilities such as the Lighthouse and some exhibits remain closed. Tidepools close at 4:30 pm. (updated 9/21/20)
- Death Valley National Park – Park open; facility closures remain. (updated 9/21/20)
- Joshua Tree National Park – Open (updated 9/21/20)
- Lassen Volcanic National Park – Open (updated 9/21/20)
- Lava Beds National Monument – Open (updated 9/21/20)
- Muir Woods National Monument – Muir Woods Reopened with New Operating Hours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily (updated 9/21/20) – Parking ($8.5) / shuttle ($3.25) reservations are required, even on “free” days. Shuttles pick up in Sausalito, Marin City Hub and Pohono Park & Ride. Get shuttle info
- Pinnacles National Park – Cave trails closed plus Temporary Closure of Park Trails and West Unit of Park (updated 9/21/20)
- San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park – Park Facilities are temporarily closed (updated 9/21/20). In normal times Hyde Street Pier historic vessels free of charge on free days.
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks – Full park closures due to wildfire danger (updated 9/19/20) – Best updates on Facebook
- Whiskeytown National Recreation Area – Some areas of the park remain closed due to Carr fire (updated 9/21/20)
- Yosemite National Park – Roads through the park now open, but Yosemite remains closed to recreation: all visitors must remain with their vehicles. All lodging facilities, restaurants, campgrounds, and visitor centers remain closed. (updated 9/20/20)
Check out all the fee-free national parks in the nation.
Free Entrance Days in the National Parks | 2020
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 20: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- April 18: First day of National Park Week
- August 25: National Park Service Birthday
- September 26: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day – Just one free day starting in 2018, down from two in previous years
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.
