You Can Visit National Parks for Free on These 6 Days in 2024

If you love the great outdoors but don't like to shell out big bucks to experience nature, here's some good news: The National Park Service has announced six days in 2024 when national park entrance is free. Read on to find out what dates to save -- and how to get free or cheap park admission if these days don't sync with your vacation plans.

Six days when national park entrance is free in 2024

The National Park Service will waive entrance fees on the following days in 2024:

• Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• April 20, the first day of National Park Week
• June 19, Juneteenth
• Aug. 4, Great American Outdoors Day
• Sept. 28, National Public Lands Day
• Nov. 11, Veterans Day

Don't sweat it if you can't make these dates, though. National parks are pretty budget-friendly in general. Admission is free every day at more than 300 out of the 400 national parks in the U.S. In parks that do charge for admission, fees range from $10 to $35. Not too shabby, considering that at least 80% of that money stays in the park you visited.

Also, note that only admission fees are waived for the dates listed above. The waiver doesn't apply to fees for things like camping, use of a boat launch, transportation, and tours.

Other ways to get free or discounted national park admission

If you're a national park enthusiast, buying an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Pass Series may be worth it for you. For $80, you get free admission throughout the year not just to all 400 national parks (including those that typically charge an entry fee), but also to sites managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

That's more than 2,000 recreation sites for $80. For parks that charge per vehicle for admission, everyone in your vehicle is covered. For those that charge per person, you can bring up to three other people ages 16 and older. Children 15 and younger are always free.

You can also qualify for a free or discounted park pass if:

• You're a federal lands volunteer: Volunteers with at least 250 hours of service get a free pass.
• You're 62 or older: A discounted annual pass is available for $20. Or you can purchase a senior lifetime pass for $80.
• You're a veteran or Gold Star military member: You qualify for a free lifetime pass.
• You're currently serving in the military or you're the dependent of a service member: You're eligible for a free annual pass.
• You have a permanent medical disability: You get free access to all parks and recreation sites.
• You have a kid in fourth grade: You and your family get a free pass for the school year, courtesy of the Every Kid Outdoors program.

How to afford your next national park bucket-list vacation

Visiting national parks is often a good option for a day trip or a long weekend, considering that there are parks in all 50 states. But if you're planning to check some national parks off your bucket list, here's how to make sure you can afford it:

• Work saving for a vacation into your monthly budget each month and deposit the money into a separate high-yield savings account.
• Camp instead of staying at a hotel. But if you opt for a hotel, save money by staying offsite. If you have a travel rewards card, you can use your points to defray the costs.
• Visit during shoulder season. If you're able to visit in late spring or early fall, you'll beat the summer crowd, plus campsites may be more widely available. If you prefer a hotel, you may find that rates are lower.

National parks can be a great way to experience Mother Nature without shelling out big bucks and dinging your personal finances. Whether you choose to take advantage of free admission days or visit throughout the year, rest assured that you can find options that fit within your budget.