Making plans for next year's national park adventures? The National Park Service just announced its free-entrance days for 2023. The five dates will allow visitors to satisfy their wanderlust for no admission fee. People can jump on the opportunity to enjoy the parks on these days:
- Jan. 16: Celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.
- April 22: First day of National Park Week
- Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- Sept. 23: National Public Lands Day
- Nov. 11: Veterans Day
"National parks are America's best idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day," the NPS writes. "The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the national parks that normally charge an entrance fee."
Of course, some parks are free all of the time, so choose your free-day park with that in mind.
The NPS also states, "The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours."
The annual free-entrance days have become a popular way for visitors to enjoy the national parks, although it usually means more traffic on those days. While there may be plenty of options for national parks, 20 states do not have a national park. Luckily for them, there are parks in neighboring states.
If you want to enjoy the national parks year-round, the $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows visitors unlimited access to over 2,000 federal recreation areas, including entrance fee-charging national parks. The parks also have discounts or free passes for seniors, families of fourth grade students, and disabled citizens—ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to connect with nature.
READ MORE: Veterans and Gold Star Families Get Free Admission to National Parks For Life Starting Veteran's Day
