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Happy new year everyone. We have another full year ahead to enjoy the beauty of the U.S. National Park system. I love the National Parks for so many reasons, the list is endless to mention here.
If you want to get your own slice of adventure in a national park, but want to avoid the entrance fee, you have five chances this year to do so.
Free Entrance Days to National Parks
The free entrance days for 2023 are:
- January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 22 – First Day of National Park Week
- August 4 – Great American Outdoors Day
- September 23 – National Public Lands Day
- November 11 – Veterans Day
The National Park Service will waive the entrance fee. This does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.
However, these days are some of the busiest days at National Parks. It is better to avoid National Parks during these days if you can. If you decide to go, get up early to be one of the first at the entrance gate. Entry lines can get awfully long on free days and weekends.
You can find all the participating parks of the free entrance days on the National Park website.
Plan your Visit
If you visit during peak time which is between Memorial Day and Labor Day of each year, you should plan ahead. Make reservations ahead of time if you plan to camp or use other special activities which might sell out. This is especially important if you visit Alcatraz.
An immense help would be the official National Park App. To my surprise the app is amazing.
National Park Annual Pass
I would encourage everyone to get an annual pass and enjoy the beauty of these parks for a full year of the day of purchase. That way you can explore at your own pace. Annual passes cost $80. If you visit some of the more popular parks, as few as two visits can recoup your investment in this pass. The entrance fees are used to enhance the visitor experience. This includes repair and maintenance of existing facilities as well as constructing additional ones. 80% of the fees you paid stay in the park in which you paid them. For a list of what fees are used for, check out the NPS website.
In some cases, you can get the National Park Annual Pass for free. Check my guide on what it takes to get the pass for free.
Either way, National Parks are a great way to explore the country and they should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
Peter has a passion for Traveling, Photography, and Geocaching. These are the best ingredients for amazing adventures all over the globe. “Traveling is fun, no matter if you stay in a luxury hotel or travel like a backpacker.” Peter shares his experiences on his Blog www.gatetoadventures.com
Some of Peter’s photos are published on corporate websites, in-flight magazines, travel guides, and much more.
