Likely Cancelled: Free National Parks Day | MLK Jr. Day 2019

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Free National Parks Days 2026

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 Entrance Days in the National Parks | 2026

The National Park Service is hosting 10 free days in 2026. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission; however, beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

• February 16: Presidents’ Day
• May 25: Memorial Day
• June 14: Flag Day
• July 3-5: Independence Day weekend
• August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
• September 17: Constitution Day
• October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
• November 11: Veterans Day

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. New for 2026, fee-free days are only applicable for US residents. See the latest updates.

Participating California National Parks*

See the full National Parks 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 ($10) or shuttle ($4); 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 due to the Hyde Street Pier closure for renovation work – 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. Please note, you no longer need a reservation to drive into Yosemite. 

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

Monday, January 21, 2019
Free National Parks Days 2026

Please note, this is likely cancelled due to the government shutdown. Some national parks may remain accessible to visitors; however, access may change without notice. Some parks are closed completely. Some visitor services may be available when provided by concessioners or other entities. For most parks, there will be no National Park Service-provided visitor services, such as restrooms, trash collection, facilities, or road maintenance. For more information, see www.doi.gov/shutdown and the park website.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.