Visit any national park for free on these dates
Around one-quarter of the 400 national parks, historical sites, monuments, trails, forests and more that are managed by the U.S. National Parks Service charge fees for entry, but there are a few days each year when these incredible areas are opened to the public for free.
This year will have four more free days where admission is waived for every park that usually requires payment.
The remaining 2022 free days are as follows:
April 16: First day of National Park Week
Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Sept. 24: National Public Lands Day
Nov. 11: Veterans Day Jan. 17, the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. was also free. Last year, there were six free days. The extra free day was in honor of the National Park Service’s 105th anniversary.
Individuals and families looking to explore more national parks in the new year can also purchase an America the Beautiful annual pass, which grants free access for all NPS-managed sites in the country for $80 a year. There are also discounts on the pass for people with disabilities, veterans or active military members and seniors.
National parks became so popular this past year that some parks began taking reservations and limiting the numbers of visitors. Arches National Park in Utah became the second national park in the state to begin a new timed entry ticket program in mid-December, as they look to decrease crowds and more evenly distribute park visitors day by day.
For more info about the free National Park days, visit the National Park Service website at nps.gov.