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With over 400 stunning national parks dotted across the country, the United States boasts an array of some of the most striking landscapes to be found around the globe.
Whether you get ecstatic scaling granite domes or crave relaxing vacations amidst breathtaking natural wonders, the United States always has something in store for you, any day of the year.
While some of these parks are free to enter, several of the major players require a reasonable fee. This can be quite prohibitive to some, especially if cash is tight.
Thankfully, the National Park Services recently released the list of entrance-fee-free days for 2022.
Therefore, anyone can now experience the splendor of the great outdoors, regardless of one’s budget and income.
Out of the 400-plus national parks in the U.S., roughly 100 of them charge an entrance fee, ranging from $5 to over $30.
Free Entrance Days at National Parks in 2022
Please save the dates in your calendars!
- January 17: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- April 16: First day of National Park Week
- August 4: One year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- September 24: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
The fee-free days are part of the Administration’s unprecedented commitment to increase access, promote recreational opportunities, improve visitor facilities, and conserve natural and historical treasures in national parks for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people.
NPS.GOV
List of Parks That Participate
The following parks, categorized per state, will waive their entrance fees on the aforementioned free days.
As you can see, the list includes the majority of the United States’ bucket-list destinations, including the perpetual crowd favorites: Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon.
Because of the pandemic, it is highly recommended to visit each park’s website to determine their opening hours.
Source: NPS.gov
Alaska
Denali National Park & Preserve
Arizona
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Grand Canyon National Park
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Petrified Forest National Park
Pipe Spring National Monument
Saguaro National Park
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Tonto National Monument
Tumacácori National Historical Park
Tuzigoot National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Wupatki National Monument
Arkansas
Fort Smith National Historic Site
California
Cabrillo National Monument
Death Valley National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lava Beds National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument
Pinnacles National Park
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Yosemite National Park
Colorado
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Colorado National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Hovenweep National Monument
Mesa Verde National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Florida
Canaveral National Seashore
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Dry Tortugas National Park
Everglades National Park
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Georgia
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Fort Pulaski National Monument
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Hawai’i
Haleakalā National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Idaho
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
Yellowstone National Park
Maine
Acadia National Park
Maryland
Antietam National Battlefield
Assateague Island National Seashore
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Massachusetts
Adams National Historical Park
Cape Cod National Seashore
Michigan
Isle Royale National Park
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Minnesota
Pipestone National Monument
Mississippi
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Vicksburg National Military Park
Missouri
Gateway Arch National Park (formerly Jefferson National Expansion Memorial)
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
Montana
Glacier National Park
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Yellowstone National Park
Nevada
Death Valley National Park
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
New Hampshire
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
New Jersey
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
New Mexico
Bandelier National Monument
Capulin Volcano National Monument
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Valles Caldera National Preserve
White Sands National Park
New York
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
North Carolina
Wright Brothers National Memorial
North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Ohio
James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial
Oklahoma
Fort Smith National Historic Site
Oregon
Crater Lake National Park
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Puerto Rico
San Juan National Historic Site
South Carolina
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
South Dakota
Badlands National Park
Tennessee
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Texas
Big Bend National Park
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Padre Island National Seashore
Utah
Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Golden Spike National Historical Park
Hovenweep National Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument
Zion National Park
Virgin Islands
Christiansted National Historic Site
Virginia
Assateague Island National Seashore
Colonial National Historical Park
George Washington Memorial Parkway’s Great Falls Park
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Prince William Forest Park
Shenandoah National Park
Washington
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Mount Rainier National Park
Olympic National Park
West Virginia
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Wyoming
Devils Tower National Monument
Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Throughout the country, every national park provides a variety of opportunities to get out in nature, connect with our common heritage and experience the vast array of benefits that come from spending time outdoors. Hopefully, the fee-free days will encourage everyone to spend some time in their national parks.
Margaret Everson, Counselor to the Secretary, exercising the delegated authority of the National Park Service Director.
COVID-19 Considerations
Given the challenges involved in international travel as of late, including being required to undergo multiple COVID19 tests, not to mention the increased risk of exposure inherent with air travel, it is such a pleasant surprise to stumble upon these free days at national parks in our own backyard.
Typically, my focus is dead-set on planning to board a flight that involves crossing international waters in order to disappear in some foreign land. But, the unfortunate arrival of COVID-19 has taught me to treasure the simple joys of staycationing in places situated right before my very eyes.
Despite the unpredictability of the virus, it is critical that you keep your plans flexible when visiting national parks. Within a moment’s notice, parks can announce closures or limited opening hours to mitigate the pandemic’s potential spread.
Nonetheless, this is a good time to take advantage of the parks as tourists who typically flock to these sanctuaries have tremendously diminished, thus allowing locals some additional breathing room to relish the spectacular scenery.
Not Everything Is Free
Although it is free to enter and meander through the park on these days, all other services such as campground reservations, special tours, and other amenities are not waived.
Unless you stay longer than a day trip, these additional costs should not be a deal-breaker.
Should you have plans to visit multiple national parks a few times this year, you may want to consider purchasing the Annual Park Pass for $80.
Ordinarily, you can make this purchase pay for itself by connecting nearby parks within a specific geographical area, such as road-tripping around Utah or California, over a few days.
Other discounted/free passes are available for senior citizens, military members, elementary students, and citizens with disabilities. Click the button below for additional information.
Final Thoughts
It is marvelous that our National Parks offer entrance-free days several times a year to ensure that the park’s grandeur can be accessed by anyone regardless of financial ability.
Having trekked along the trails of our national parks countless times in the past, I recall having vivid memories of being enveloped by an immense sense of gratitude for the opportunity to be surrounded by such sublime beauty.
These free entrance days are a gift to anyone wishing to be awe-struck by these iconic parks. I can confidently guarantee that the unforgettable experiences you’ll gain from your National Park adventures will undoubtedly propel you to want to come back for more.
And with these entrance-fee free days, you not only get to save money, but you also have the chance to do it a few times this year too! Indeed, the best things in life are truly free!
Do you plan to take advantage of these entrance-fee-free days too?
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE – Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. The content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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