You can see a lot of the US for free if you know the dates. Here are the free days and free passes I trust, each checked on the official site.
National park fee-free days in 2026
On these days, National Park Service sites that normally charge an entrance fee let you in for free:
| Date | Reason |
|---|---|
| February 16 | Presidents Day |
| May 25 | Memorial Day |
| June 14 | Flag Day / President Trump's birthday |
| July 3 to 5 | Independence Day weekend |
| August 25 | National Park Service birthday |
| September 17 | Constitution Day |
| October 27 | Theodore Roosevelt's birthday |
| November 11 | Veterans Day (the last one this year) |
New in 2026: free days are for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents pay the regular entrance fee plus any nonresident fees. Timed-entry or reservation fees may still apply.
America the Beautiful passes
If you go more than a few times a year, an annual pass can beat paying at the gate. It covers entrance and standard day-use fees at sites run by six federal agencies, including the National Park Service and the Forest Service.
- Resident Annual Pass: $80 for US citizens and residents. It covers one private vehicle, or four per-person fees where a site charges by the person.
- Non-Resident Annual Pass: $250.
- Senior passes: US citizens and residents 62+ can get an annual pass for $20 or a lifetime pass for $80.
Free passes most people miss
- 4th Grade Pass: free for US 4th graders, including home-school equivalent. Get it at everykidoutdoors.gov, then print the paper pass. Not every site takes the paper pass, so call ahead.
- Military Annual Pass: free for current US military and dependents.
- Military Lifetime Pass: free for veterans and Gold Star Family members.
- Access Pass: free for US citizens and residents with a permanent disability.
- Volunteer Pass: free after 250 volunteer hours at federal recreation sites.
You must show photo ID with every pass. Passes can't be refunded or shared. You can get them in person at federal sites, as a mailed pass from the USGS store (it can take up to three weeks), or as a digital pass on recreation.gov.
Bank of America Museums on Us
If you have a Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit card, you get one free general admission at partner museums during the first full weekend of every month. The next one is November 7 and 8.
- Bring your active card and a government photo ID, like a driver's license, state ID or passport.
- It's one admission per cardholder. It doesn't cover the rest of your group.
- Special and ticketed exhibits cost extra. Fundraising events are not included.
- Some museums only honor it on Saturday or only on Sunday. Check the partner on the Museums on Us map before you go.
Smithsonian museums
The Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC have free admission. The one exception is Cooper Hewitt in New York City, which charges admission. Some popular ones ask for a free timed-entry pass, so check si.edu before you go.
My tip: lots of museums near you have their own free days too. I list them by state on the things to do pages, and the dates go on the calendar. If you have a library card, read everything free with a library card for museum passes.