Visit 400 National Parks In The U.S. For Free In 2026 —But Only On These 10 Specific Days

New York City residents have a big reason to plan some outdoor adventures in 2026. 🎉 The National Park Service just announced its lineup of free-entry days for the year — but there’s a key update: these fee-free days now apply exclusively to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. That means more chances for locals to explore the country’s stunning national parks without paying the usual entrance fee — from iconic landmarks to hidden gems a few hours outside the city. 📅 2026 Free National Park Days (for U.S. residents) ------------------------------------------------------- Here are the official fee-free dates for 2026: * February 16 – President’s Day * May 25 – Memorial Day * June 14 – Flag Day * July 3–5 – Independence Day weekend * August 25 – 110th Birthday of the National Park Service * September 17 – Constitution Day * October 27 – Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthday * November 11 – Veterans Day (Remember: “free entry” waives the standard park entrance fee, but extra costs — like parking, special tours, camping, or timed-entry reservations — may still apply.) 🚨 What’s changing in 2026 ----------------------------- 2026 brings a few big updates to how National Park passes and fees work: * Traditional free days removed – Some days that were free in past years, like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, are no longer part of the free-entry calendar . * Resident-only free days – Starting January 1, free days are limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents . International visitors will need to pay standard entrance fees (plus any additional non-resident charges). * New annual pass fees available – U.S. residents: $80 per year for the “America the Beautiful” pass if looking to do multiple trips to parks throughout the year. Non-residents: $250 per year, or a $100 per person surcharge at 11 of the most popular parks. These changes come alongside the National Park Service’s fully digital America the Beautiful passes, which can be purchased, stored, and validated instantly through Recreation.gov. 🌲 Top national parks near NYC to explore in 2026 ---------------------------------------------------- Not every park requires a cross-country trip, and there are plenty of incredible national park destinations within a few hours of the city that are perfect for a free-entry day: * Acadia National Park (Maine) — What we consider the most magical 10 hour drive throughout the Northeast, this park in Maine is known for granite peaks like Cadillac Mountain (one of the first places in the U.S. to see sunrise certain times of year), rugged Atlantic shoreline, rocky beaches, and a network of historic carriage roads perfect for walking, biking, and winter cross-country skiing. * Shenandoah National Park (Virginia) — About a 4.5 – 5 hour from NYC, this is generally considered the “closest classic mountain national park to NYC.” It’s famous for its dozens of overlooks, waterfalls, black bear sightings, tons of hiking options, and 105-mile-long Skyline Drive route crest of the Blue Ridge. * Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio) — A lush, unexpectedly wild stretch of river valley tucked between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Centered on the Cuyahoga River and the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, it’s packed with waterfalls like Brandywine Falls, forested ravines, scenic train rides, and bikeable paths. 💡 Tips for planning your visit ---------------------------------- * Arrive early — free days can get busy at popular parks. * Check for timed-entry reservations or parking restrictions ahead of time. * Bring cash or card for optional activities like tours or boat rentals. * Take advantage of digital America the Beautiful passes to skip lines and store your pass on your phone. For the full list of free National Park days, updated 2026 passes, and digital registration, visit Recreation.gov. Source: https://secretnyc.co/free-national-park-days-2026/