NPS Sets Aug. 25 as Fee-Free Park Day for 110th Birthday

The National Park Service will waive entrance fees at sites that normally charge them on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, as the agency marks its 110th birthday.

The fee-free day falls during National Park Week, which runs August 22–30 and will include ranger programs, family activities, guided tours, educational exhibits and other events nationwide. The waiver covers the entrance charge only; it does not make every part of a national-park trip free.

What changes on August 25

U.S. citizens and permanent residents will not have to pay the standard entrance fee at an NPS site that normally charges admission on August 25. The date is included in the agency’s 2026 free-entrance schedule and is tied to the National Park Service’s 110th birthday.

Most sites managed by the NPS are free to visit, but some require an entrance pass. At those sites, visitors ordinarily need a standard pass, a park-specific annual pass or an America the Beautiful pass. On August 25, the entrance fee is waived for eligible U.S. visitors.

What the waiver does not cover

Visitors may still need reservations or permits and may still face separate charges for parking, camping, shuttles, ferries, tours, special activities, concessions or other services.

The NPS says some high-traffic parks use timed-entry systems to manage vehicle traffic. Other parks use tour reservations to manage access to buildings or natural features. Reservations are typically made through Recreation.gov and may be released on a rolling basis.

In practical terms, a visitor could avoid the entrance fee on August 25 and still need to reserve a time slot, pay for a campsite or obtain a permit before arriving. Local closures, access restrictions and transportation systems can also affect a trip.

Zion shows why park-by-park planning matters

Zion National Park illustrates why visitors should check the individual park’s rules. Zion lists standard entrance-pass prices ranging from $20 to $35, depending on how a visitor enters. Non-U.S. residents age 16 and older must also pay a $100 per-person fee unless they are admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful pass.

Zion’s rules are not a universal template for every NPS site. They are an example of why travelers should review the specific park page before leaving, particularly when visiting a high-traffic destination.

Nonresidents will still pay

Beginning in 2026, NPS free-entrance days apply only to U.S. citizens and residents. Nonresidents must pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fee unless they use the designated nonresident annual pass or another qualifying pass.

The NPS says nonresidents age 16 and older must pay a $100 nonresident fee at 11 listed national parks, including Zion, in addition to the regular entrance fee unless they are admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful pass.

What visitors should do

Before leaving home, check the official page for the park you plan to visit. Confirm whether it charges an entrance fee, requires timed entry or tour reservations, operates a shuttle or ferry, limits access, or charges separately for camping, parking, permits or other amenities.

The August 25 waiver can lower the cost of getting through the gate, but transportation, lodging, food, equipment and activities may remain the larger expenses of a national-park trip.

Sources

• National Park Service: National Park Week
• Associated Press: 2026 national-park free days