Travelers often ask when is the best time to visit a national park. Although any day in a national park is fantastic, we will reveal the five best days to visit in 2023.
The National Park Service (NPS) will offer five entrance fee-free days in 2023 to celebrate national parks and promote outdoor recreation. All national parks will waive admission fees as part of the celebration. Any regular fees for activities, tours, and camping still apply.
When are the free national park days?
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 16, 2023
- First day of National Park Week: April 22, 2023
- Great American Outdoors Day: August 4, 2023
- National Public Lands Day: September 23, 2023
- Veterans Day: November 11, 2023
National Parks With Entrance Fees
The NPS protects more than 400 sites throughout the United States and our territories. If we narrow down the list to only national parks, there are 63, with 41 regularly charging entrance fees and 22 being free.
Entrance fees for the parks that charge vary from $5 to $35. If you aim to get the most value on the free national park days, you are likely asking yourself which parks usually have admission fees.
National parks with admission fees are listed below by state.
Alaska
Arizona
California
- Death Valley National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Sequoia National Park
- Kings Canyon National Park
- Yosemite National Park
Colorado
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
Florida
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- Everglades National Park
Hawaii
- Haleakala National Park
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Idaho
- Yellowstone National Park
Indiana
- Indiana Dunes National Park
Maine
- Acadia National Park
Michigan
- Isle Royale National Park
Missouri
- Gateway Arch National Park
Montana
- Glacier National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
Nevada
- Death Valley National Park
New Mexico
North Dakota
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Oregon
- Crater Lake National Park
South Dakota
- Badlands National Park
Texas
- Big Bend National Park
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Utah
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Zion National Park
Virginia
Washington
- Mount Rainier National Park
- Olympic National Park
Wyoming
- Grand Teton National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
National Park Passes & Discounts
If you cannot visit on one of the free national park days, there are additional ways to save money.
The NPS manages Sequoia and Kings Canyon as one giant park, even though they are separate. As such, paying entrance fees for one automatically grants access to the other.
Some parks are close to others, lending to multiple visits on a road trip. When planning a trip, start with states housing more than one park and map out your adventure.
You can purchase an America the Beautiful annual pass for $80, granting you access to all our national parks throughout the year. The NPS offers passes and discounts to U.S. military families, military veterans, disabled citizens, senior citizens, and fourth graders. Visit the NPS site for details.
Free National Parks
Which national parks do not collect entrance fees? Here is the list by state.
Alaska
- Gates of the Arctic National Park
- Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
- Katmai National Park & Preserve
- Kenai Fjords National Park
- Kobuk Valley National Park
- Lake Clark National Park
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
American Samoa
- National Park of American Samoa
Arkansas
- Hot Springs National Park
California
- Channel Islands National Park
- Redwood National & State Parks
Florida
- Biscayne National Park
Kentucky
- Mammoth Cave National Park
Minnesota
- Voyageurs National Park
Nevada
- Great Basin National Park
North Carolina
Ohio
South Carolina
- Congaree National Park
South Dakota
- Wind Cave National Park
Tennessee
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Virgin Islands
- Virgin Islands National Park
Washington
- North Cascades National Park
West Virginia
- New River Gorge National Park
Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and Wind Cave in South Dakota are free to enter, but you must pay fees for a cave tour, the main attraction for many visitors.
Other Considerations
Beyond entrance fees, consider weather and crowd levels when planning your visit. The NPS maintains a website for each national park where you can find information on hours of operation, weather, current conditions, and things to do.
Each park sets its hours. Many parks offer more summer activities due to weather and staffing. You may discover fewer areas to explore in winter. Visit the specific park website for current information before your trip.
May through September is a great time to visit most parks, so you have improved odds of decent weather and plenty of activities. However, crowd levels tend to be higher during these months.
Wrap-Up: Free National Park Days
Have you dreamed about exploring the Grand Canyon? Now is your chance to visit any of our most treasured lands at a lower cost. Plan a visit in 2023 on one of the free national park days. You will be richer for it.
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About the author
We are Scott and Julie at Miles with McConkey. After nearly 30 years, we took a leap of faith out of the corporate world to enjoy a life of travel and adventure. We hope to inspire you to find ways to travel more and enjoy life now.