Veterans Day at the National Parks – Military.com

Veterans Day at the National Parks  Military.com

Entrance fees are waived Nov. 11, and service members, veterans and Gold Star families can get in free every other day with a Military Pass. Entrance fees are waived on Nov. 11, and service members, veterans and Gold Star families can get in free every other day with a Military Pass. The National Park Service waives entrance fees on Veterans Day. In 2026, that is Wednesday, Nov. 11. The Interior Department lists it among the year’s fee-free days. Interior describes the 2026 fee-free days as resident-only, so the waiver applies to U.S. residents. For people who served, free entrance does not depend on the date. The National Park Service offers two free military passes that cover entrance and standard day-use fees at national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests and other federal recreation lands: A pass admits the holder plus one private, noncommercial vehicle, up to two motorcycles, or the holder plus three people ages 16 and older where fees are charged per person.

It does not cover camping, tours, special recreation permits, reservation fees, organized group fees or concession-operated facilities. Anyone who already holds another America the Beautiful pass does not need one. Passes are free when picked up in person at a site that charges an entrance fee. Current service members and dependents need an unexpired Common Access Card,