National parks go free on these days in 2022
Around one-quarter of the 400 national parks, historical sites, monuments, trails, forests and more 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.
On five days this year, admission will be waived for every park that usually requires payment.
In 2022, the free days are:
• Jan. 17: Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.
• 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. 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 to all sites in the country managed by the National Park Services for $80 a year.
Discounts on the pass also are available for people with disabilities, veterans or active military members and seniors.
National parks became so popular this past year that the most popular, such as Acadia, Yosemite and Glacier National Park, began taking reservations and limiting the numbers of visitors daily.
Arches National Park in Utah became the second national park in the state to begin a new timed entry ticket program in middecember, as it looks to decrease crowds and more evenly distribute park visitors day by day.
For more information about the free National Park days, visit the National Park Service website at nps.gov.