National Parks & Public Lands
National Park Service Free Entrance Days
Access: Walk-In
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About these free tickets
On select days each year, every National Park Service site that normally charges an entrance fee is free. Mark the dates and skip the entry fee.
- Location: Nationwide
- How to get in: Walk-In
Good to know
Free admission on designated days in 2026: Feb 16, May 25, Jun 14, Jul 3–5, Aug 25, Sep 17, Oct 27, and Nov 11. In 2026, free entrance applies to U.S. citizens and residents only. Reservation or timed-entry fees may still apply at some parks.
The link opens the official National Park Service Free Entrance Days page so you can confirm current dates, availability, and reservation rules before you go.
How Free Tickets Work
- Reserve ahead or enter a lottery: Many free tickets are limited and released on a schedule — sometimes weeks ahead, sometimes same-day. Lottery entries (SNL, the National Christmas Tree) open in narrow windows, so check the official page early.
- Show up early: Free admission rarely guarantees a seat. Advance movie screening passes do not guarantee entry, and free concerts fill on a first-come basis. Arriving early is usually the price of free.
- Bring ID and proof: TV tapings, the White House, and the Mint check government-issued photo ID, and some require the name on the ticket to match. Military and fourth-grade park passes also require ID or proof at the gate.
- Confirm on the official site: Taping schedules, free days, and tour availability change seasonally. Each card links to the official provider — check there for the current dates and rules before you travel.
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Walk-InView ticket detailsTaping schedules, free days, tour availability, and reservation windows change seasonally. Confirm the current dates and rules on the official provider’s page before you travel.