On September 27, all national parks that usually charge entrance fees will be free to the public in celebration of National Public Lands Day.
Since 1994, the annual event has been the largest single-day volunteer event in the U.S., dedicated to preserving and improving the nation’s public lands like parks, historical sites, and wildlife refuges. From cleaning up North Carolina’s Cape Lookout National Seashore to clearing brush at Big Thicket National Reserve in Texas, visitors can volunteer as a public land steward at more than 400 sites managed by the National Park Service (NPS).
“National Public Lands Day is more than a clean-up—it’s a chance to connect with new communities, an event that creates kinship among those working together for a common goal, and an opportunity to use America’s public lands for education, recreation, and overall physical and mental health,” writes NPS on its website.
In partnership with NPS and other federal agencies, the educational organization National Environmental Education Foundation organizes the annual celebration for hundreds of thousands of volunteers.
The 2025 theme for National Public Lands Day is “Together for Tomorrow,” an effort to unite Americans around a common goal to steward “America’s natural resources for future generations to enjoy.”
In addition to parks being free to the public on September 27, volunteers can also receive a complimentary one-day national park pass to any national park site in exchange for their service. Other fees, such as timed entry or reservation fees, may still apply to specific locations, so be sure to check the NPS website ahead of time.
If you miss this weekend, you still have one more chance to visit national parks for free. Fees will also be waived on Veterans’ Day, which falls on November 11.
The post National Parks That Usually Charge Fees Are Free This Weekend appeared first on Outside Online.
