Two NPS Fee-Free Days Left in 2026: Oct 27 and Nov 11

If you have been waiting for a free day at a national park, you have two chances left this year. As of Oct 10, 2026, the National Park Service lists October 27 (Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday) and November 11 (Veterans Day) as the remaining 2026 fee-free days. The page shows “Last updated: October 9, 2026.”

The full 2026 list

Seeing the whole year helps you see the pattern. Here is what the page lists:

• February 16: Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
• May 25: Memorial Day
• June 14: Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday
• July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
• August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
• September 17: Constitution Day
• October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
• November 11: Veterans Day

No 2027 dates are listed yet. Check the page again after the new year.

Who gets in free

This changed in 2026. The page says: “Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only.” Nonresidents pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

What the waiver covers

The page says sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission, but “other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply.” It does not say anything about camping, tours, or concessions on these days. Check the individual park’s page for those before you count on a savings.

The NPS page also says to check whether you need a reservation, and that some parks use timed entry to manage vehicle traffic. Many parks take those reservations through recreation.gov. A free-entrance day can still require a booking, so look that up first.

Planning a cheap trip around the two dates

A free day is a nice bonus. It is not a whole budget. Here is how we would use it:

• Pick one park and one date. Both dates fall on weekdays this year (Oct 27 is a Tuesday, Nov 11 a Wednesday), so a long weekend or a flexible schedule helps.
• Read the park’s own page for current hours, road or facility closures, and any reservation rules. Late-fall conditions vary a lot by park.
• For Nov 11, pair the day with a points hotel stay nearby. Lodging is separate from the entrance fee, so this is where points do the most work. Our points and miles section covers how to find and book those stays, and our guides cover planning a trip on a budget.
• Book early if you can, and read the cancellation terms before you commit.

Dates and rules can change, so confirm everything as of the day you go. The nps.gov fee-free page and the individual park’s page are the places to check.

Sources

• https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm — “Last updated: October 9, 2026” — 2026 fee-free dates, no 2027 dates listed, US citizens/residents-only line, “other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply”, reservation and timed-entry guidance