The National Park Service has announced that all US national parks will be fee-free on six days in 2024. These dates include the following, one of which is next week:
- Monday, January 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Saturday, April 20 – First Day of National Park Week
- Wednesday, June 19 – Juneteenth
- Sunday, August 4 – Great American Outdoors Day
- Saturday, September 28 – National Public Lands Day
- Monday, November 11 – Veterans Day
“The entrance fee-free days expand opportunities for people to visit their national parks and experience the beauty and history of our country,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams in a recent press release.
The large majority of public lands managed by the National Park Service are free year-round. This applies to national parks, monuments, historic sites, and so forth.
However, many of the most iconic sites charge entrance fees. This includes “The Mighty Five” national parks in Utah, Yosemite National Park in California, and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Entry fees can range from $10 to $35 per vehicle per day.
Note that fee-free days defer entrance fees, specifically. Any costs related to camping, outdoor activity permits, and reservations at national parks still apply.
See the full list of parks that charge fees to maximize this year’s national park free days. There are destinations in most states and many are located near major cities — perfect for an impromptu trip this coming Monday!
National Parks are Free on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
The National Park Service will waive national park fees on Monday, January 15 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The day celebrates his leadership in the American civil rights movement.
Martin Luther King Jr. accomplished incredible feats through his activism. He spearheaded the Birmingham Campaign, fighting discrimination and segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. He also led the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which spurred Congress to end segregation on public transit.
Additionally, King founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference on the basis of nonviolent protest. Many members were involved in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The event involved over 250,000 people and was the impetus for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“The life and legacy of Dr. King continues to be a timeless source of inspiration, peace of mind, and incredible hope,” said Judy Forte in a press release. She’s the Superintendent of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
Arguably, King’s most famous contribution was his “I Have A Dream” speech, which took place at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. An inscription on the memorial’s steps commemorates its history.
Other national park sites also honor the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr., including:
- The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama, which was the route of the 1965 Voting Rights March.
- The Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument in Alabama, which preserves several key sites. Each was involved in the city’s fight against violence and segregation.
- The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC, which features a granite sculpture of the leader and many of his quotes.
National Park Volunteer Opportunities on MLK Day of Service
“A national park is a meaningful place to remember and honor Dr. King, whether one participates in a day of service or visits a site with a direct connection,” said National Park Service Deputy Director Michael T. Reynolds in a press release.
National parks throughout the country will offer special volunteer opportunities on January 15, 2024. Events happening on MLK Day of Service include the following, organized by region:
Eastern USA
- Maintain Kenilworth Park & Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (Washington, DC) from 9 am – 12 pm; register here.
- Clear marine debris from the Fire Island National Seashore (Fire Island, New York) from 10 am – 2 pm; register here.
- Clean up the shoreline or maintain trails at Gateway National Recreation Area (Highlands, New Jersey) from 10 am – 12 pm; register here for shores or here for trails.
- Help renew the Mount Vernon Trail (Alexandria, Virginia) from 10 am – 12 pm; register here.
- Clear invasive plants and trash from the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve (Alexandria, Virginia) from 1 – 3 pm; register here.
Southern USA
- Support trail maintenance at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park (Beaufort, South Carolina) from 10 am – 4 pm; register here.
- Clean up beaches at Biscayne National Park (Biscayne Bay, Florida) from 8 am – 3 pm; register groups of 4-12 here.
Central USA
- Plant native grasses and shrubs at Big Thicket National Preserve (Kountze, Texas) from 9 am – 12 pm; register here.
- Paint the Ranger Interpretation office at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (Harrison, Nebraska) from 10 am – 2 pm; register here.
- Remove invasive plants from Hot Springs National Park (Hot Springs, Arkansas) from 10 – 11 am; register here.
- Collect litter from beaches and trails at Indiana Dunes National Park (Porter, Indiana) from 10 am – 4 pm; register here.
Western USA
- Maintain the boardwalk at Muir Woods National Monument (Mill Valley, California) from 9 am – 12 pm; register here.
Don’t see an event in your area? Visit the National Park Service website for a full list of volunteer programs and opportunities on MLK Day of Service and throughout 2024!
