You can get into over 100 national parks for free on Saturday: What to know
(NEXSTAR) — Of the more than 400 sites overseen by the National Park Service, slightly more than 100 charge an entrance fee. For one day this weekend, none of those parks will require you to pay to get in.
Every year, the National Park Service waives the entrance fee at the 107 parks that charge one in honor of a significant day.
One such day already occurred this year: January 20, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (a second, unplanned free day was on January 9, the National Day of Mourning for President Jimmy Carter). On Saturday, we'll have another: the first day of National Park Week.
Why do some national parks charge an entrance fee?
While you will be able to get into the parks without paying an entrance fee, NPS notes you may still need to pay a timed entry or reservation fee.
After Sunday, there are four other free entrance days with NPS: June 19, for Juneteenth National Independence Day; August 4, honoring the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act; September 27, for National Public Lands Day; and November 11, for Veterans Day.
In honor of National Park Week, NPS is also encouraging visitors to volunteer at their parks, as many are also celebrating National Volunteer Week.
If you're planning to visit a national park this weekend or this summer, experts are encouraging you to pack your patience and plan ahead. While the Trump administration has called for the national parks to remain open despite staffing struggles this year, park advocates say the situation could be less than ideal.
Planning to visit these national parks? You may need to make a reservation to get in
'It's not going to be great out there this year,' Jonathan Jarvis, the 18th director of the National Park Service, recently told Nexstar. 'It's going to be a disappointment, I think, to the public, and a potential impact to the resources.'
Some parks have had to cancel events, Jarvis noted, while others may experience disruptions to ranger-led events and safety programs. He recommended visitors 'come more prepared to take care of themselves' by bringing the 10 essentials and being prepared to 'self-rescue if necessary.'
Earlier this month, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum directed national parks to 'remain open and accessible' and said officials will ensure proper staffing to do so. The order also calls for a detailed review of each park's operating hours, trail closures and other limits on visitor services.
The national parks saw a record 331.8 million recreational visits in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 330.9 million set in 2016.
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