News You Can Visit the U.S. National Parks for Free in August — Here's How Mark your calendars! By Meena Thiruvengadam Meena Thiruvengadam Facebook Instagram Twitter Website Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler with nearly two decades of experience in journalism. She has visited more than 50 countries, 47 U.S. states, and six continents. Meena has road-tripped across the U.S., taken trains through Europe, traveled India by train, plane, and automobile, and gone off the grid in Alaska via helicopter. She has lived in New York City, Chicago, London, and Washington, D.C. * Nearly 20 years of experience in journalism with brands including Hearst, Bloomberg, Business Insider, and Yahoo * Received a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University * Bylines in The Wall Street Journal, Departures, TripSavvy, and more * On-air contributor for KENS-5 TV and Wsj.com * Wrote inaugural Skift research report on the future of in-room entertainment Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on August 4, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email There are few times in life where you can actually get something for free. Thankfully, this is one of those times. Two of the six free admission days planned by the National Park Service (NPS) this year are scheduled for August. Admission to any U.S. national park that typically charges a fee is free on Aug. 4 — a commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act — and Aug. 25 — a celebration of the National Park Service's birthday. "I invite all Americans to experience the beauty and bounty of our nation's public lands — not just on Aug. 4 but every day of the year," U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said in an announcement last week. While many national parks are free to visit in the U.S., more than 100 collect an entrance fee to help fund park maintenance. And some of the country's most popular national parks are among those that charge for admission, including the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Zion in Utah, and Yellowstone, which straddles Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Getty Images At national parks that do charge a fee, prices can be as high as $35 per vehicle, so picking the right day to visit can make your trip much cheaper. Can't make it to your dream national park in August? Don't worry. Additional free days are planned for Sept. 25 and Nov. 11. And members of the military, fourth grade students, and U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities are also eligible for free national parks passes. For others with multiple national parks on your wish list, an $80 pass offers access to hundreds of dreamy destinations. Meena Thiruvengadam is a Travel + Leisure contributor who has visited 50 countries on six continents and 47 U.S. states. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit