National Parks Free Days 2023

The National Park Service counted just over 297 million recreation visits in 2021 – over 60 million more than in 2020. The top five most visited parks were Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Gateway National Recreation Area and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

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The National Park Service has announced their Fee Free Days for 2023. There are five of them.



There are more than 400 national parks that are open daily. Many of them are free to enter. Around 100 of them require an entrance fee.

The Five Fee-Free Dates for 2023

  • Jan. 16 — Martin Luther King Day
  • April 22 — First day of National Park Week
  • Aug. 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
  • Sept. 23 — National Public Lands Day
  • Nov. 11 — Veterans Day

The free days only cover the park entrance fees and do not cover the costs of certain activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

In 2021, the National Park Service counted just over 297 million recreation visits. Thats 60 million more than in 2020.



Top Five Most Visited Parks

According to the National Park Service (NPS), The top five most visited parks were Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Gateway National Recreation Area, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.