Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Travel Pulse
On Veterans Day, November 11, visitors across the U.S. will be able to enjoy free admission to all national parks, marking the last opportunity this year to experience some of the country's most beautiful natural landscapes without any cost. This special offer is part of a tradition where the National Park Service (NPS) waives entrance fees for the public on select days throughout the year, with Veterans Day being the final one for 2024.
While this is the last general admission-free day of the year, veterans, active military members, their dependents, and Gold Star families have the privilege of receiving free annual and lifetime Military Passes. These passes allow access to national parks at no charge any time. Additionally, fourth-grade students, U.S. residents with permanent disabilities, and citizens with certain conditions are eligible for free year-round admission as well.
Chuck Sams, the National Park Service Director and a Navy veteran, expressed his excitement about the occasion, highlighting how the free access offers a great opportunity for the public, especially military families, veterans, and active-duty members, to explore and appreciate America’s heritage. "As a veteran, it is fantastic to see other veterans and their loved ones explore parks, learn about our nation’s history, and find peace in the outdoors,” he said in a statement.
The NPS oversees 431 sites in the National Park System (NPS), with 63 of these designated as national parks. While places like Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon fall under this category, there are also various other types of sites, including battlefields, historical monuments, and parkways. These sites offer a broad range of outdoor activities across the entire country. Many parks, however, charge admission most days of the year, and fees are typically used to fund park maintenance and ensure that services for visitors remain top quality.
On special days, such as Veterans Day, the entrance fees are waived, allowing more people to visit and enjoy the parks. Some parks charge an entrance fee that can cover multiple days, and fees for vehicles often allow more than one person to enter, making it affordable for families or groups to visit together. The NPS also offers an online “Find a Park” feature, which helps visitors locate nearby parks or specific types of sites in any of the 50 states.
The revenues collected from entrance fees are critical for maintaining the parks. The NPS reports that over 80% of the money stays within the park where it was collected. The rest is used to help support other parks that either do not have an entrance fee or generate limited revenue. This funding is often directed toward park infrastructure, such as accessibility projects or the repair of historic sites like the Many Glacier Hotel at Glacier National Park. Visitors can track how their entrance fees are being used by exploring the NPS’s dedicated webpage, which includes an interactive map showing park improvements and funding projects.
Veterans Day provides a wonderful chance for people to explore the nation’s parks, learn about its history, and enjoy its natural beauty without the usual costs. Whether you're a veteran or just a nature enthusiast, it’s an opportunity not to be missed.
