US National Parks – Changes, Free Days & More: 2026
“National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.” So wrote author Wallace Stegner in 1983.
When President Ulysses S Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act in 1872, the United States established the world’s first national park. Not only was this the first time that a large area was set aside by a state for public use alongside with the goals of conservation and preservation, it also inspired the worldwide national park movement.
US National Parks System
U.S. National Parks are protected federal lands managed by the National Park Service (NPS) for preservation and recreation, encompassing 63 sites specifically designated as “National Park,” alongside hundreds of other designations like monuments, historic sites, and seashores, totaling 433 sites across all states and territories. Here’s the full list managed by the NPS
US National Parks System – Entrance Passes
Most of the sites managed by the National Park Service are free to visit, but some require an entrance pass. National parks that charge an entrance fee require visitors to purchase or obtain a standard pass, park-specific annual pass, or America the Beautiful pass. Visitors only need one of these.
When planning a visit to a national park, check if you need a reservation. Some national parks use a timed entry system to manage vehicle traffic. Other parks use tour reservations to manage access to a building or natural feature. Reservations are typically made available through recreation.gov on a rolling basis. If you need a reservation, it is recommend to make it well in advance. Parks with reservations
US National Parks System 2026 Changes
Beginning January 1, 2026, changes to entrance fees and passes include:
Motorcycles
- America the Beautiful passes will cover entrance fees for up to two motorcycles.
Nonresidents of the United States
- A new America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass will be available for $250. All other America the Beautiful passes will be for US citizens and residents only.
- Free entrance days will only apply to US citizens and residents. Nonresidents must pay entrance and any nonresident fees unless they have the Non-Resident Annual Pass.
- At the following national parks, nonresidents age 16 and older must pay a $100 nonresident fee in addition to the regular entrance fee, unless they have the Nonresident Annual Pass: Acadia National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Zion National Park.
- This $100 nonresident fee at these parks also applies to nonresidents in commercial tour, commercial use authorization (CUA), and concessionaire tour groups, unless they use the Non-Resident Annual Pass. Find answers to frequently asked questions about commercial tours and nonresident fees.
US National Parks System – America the Beautiful (Annual) Passes
America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by
- National Park Service
- US Fish & Wildlife Service
- US Forest Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- Bureau of Reclamation
- US Army of Corps of Engineers
Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers One private vehicle fee or Four per person fees.
The Different Types of America the Beautiful Pass Available
|
TYPE |
AVAILABLE TO |
PRICE |
|
Annual Pass |
US citizens and residents only |
$80 |
|
Senior Annual Pass |
US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old |
Free |
|
Senior Lifetime Pass |
US citizens and permanent residents 62+ years old |
Free |
|
Military Annual Pass |
Current US military and dependents |
Free |
|
Military Lifetime Pass |
Gold Star Family members and veterans |
Free |
|
Access Pass |
US citizens and permanent residents with permanent disability |
Free |
|
4th Grade Pass |
US 4th graders |
Free |
|
Volunteer Pass |
Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours |
Free |
A new America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass will be available for $250. All other America the Beautiful passes will be for *US citizens and residents only. For more on these annual passes
How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass
In Person (Recommended)
Physical passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites. Purchase and pickup locations
Order Online, Receive by Mail
To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead.
Get a Digital Annual Pass from Recreation.gov
Skip the wait! You can purchase a digital version of the Annual Pass through recreation.gov. The digital Annual Pass can be saved to a mobile device and used immediately. Note: no other America the Beautiful Passes are available digitally at this time. Get a digital Annual Pass
Visiting soon? America the Beautiful Passes ordered online through the USGS Online Store may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Get your pass at one of over 1,000 purchase and pickup locations to avoid the wait.
Beautiful Tip: Did you know that all US 4th graders and their families get a free annual pass? It’s called the Every Kid Outdoors Pass valid from September through August! Find out more and get your Every Kid Outdoors Pass here!
National Parks 2026 Free Days
Important Note: 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 – for more on this change and the applicable fees, visit the National Park Service page here
All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone effective in 2026 US citizens and residents only (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates
- Monday, February 16: Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday)
- Monday, May 25: Memorial Day
- Sunday, June 14: Flag Day
- Friday-Sunday, July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
- Tuesday, August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- Thursday, September 17: Constitution Day
- Tuesday, October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day
When planning a visit to a national park, check if you need a reservation. Some national parks use a timed entry system to manage vehicle traffic. Other parks use tour reservations to manage access to a building or natural feature. Reservations are typically made available through recreation.gov on a rolling basis. If you need a reservation, it is recommend to make it well in advance. Parks with reservations
The National Parks are one of the things that I have always loved and admired about this country and 2026 brings about some changes that I am not sure reflect us at our best anymore. Not only have free days been eliminated (MLK Day and Juneteenth) and one added to flatter someone’s ego (hence why I am opting to referencing only Flag Day not his birthday) but what used to be free for everyone, will now be restricted to who you are. Right as we are set to showcase our hospitality as World Cup co-host countries in 2026 and later at the Summer Olympics in 2028.
About Author
Rosemary is a travel hacker, points nerd and female solo traveler who’s explored 70+ countries without a trust fund, sugar daddy, or sponsored content. Every mile, upgrade, and trip is completely self-funded using a mix of points, miles, and cash or earned with elite status. And she shows you the receipts along with a mildly concerning amount of spreadsheets. Through firsthand experience and plenty of trial and error, she teaches everyday travelers the art of travel hacking and how they too can travel for cheaper, better, and more often. While Rosemary doesn’t take herself too seriously, she does take award travel (and searching for the best ice cream) seriously – because seeing the world shouldn’t be reserved for the rich, the retired, or content creators with brand deals.
