Outdoor enthusiasts, it’s time to start planning your adventures for 2023. This year, the National Park Service is offering five days when you can enter all 423 parks, monuments, and memorials without paying a fee.
While most national parks are free to visit year-round, 107 sites, including popular ones like Acadia, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Glacier, typically charge entry fees ranging from $5 to $35 on most days. However, if you plan ahead, you can explore these iconic parks without worrying about the cost of entry.
The fee-free days for 2023, as announced by the National Park Service, are a great opportunity to visit. “National parks are truly special places, and we want everyone to experience them,” said NPS Director Chuck Sams. “The entrance fee-free days are designed to encourage people to discover the beauty, history, and inspiration within more than 400 national parks across the country.”
Keep in mind that while entrance fees are waived, costs for activities and amenities like camping, boat launches, transportation, and special tours will still apply on these days.
In 2021, U.S. national parks welcomed 297 million visitors—60 million more than in 2020. So, if that’s any indication of this year’s expected turnout, it might be wise to book timed entry tickets in advance for places like Arches National Park (which will require entrance tickets from April 1 to Oct. 31 after a successful pilot program) or Rocky Mountain National Park. There are also popular spots like Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road and Acadia’s Cadillac Mountain to consider. To escape the crowds, think about visiting some of the lesser-known yet equally breathtaking parks, such as Lassen Volcanic National Park.
For a full list of national parks participating in the free entrance days in 2023, you can visit the NPS website.
