Overview
- The 2026 fee-free dates are February 16, May 25, June 14, July 3–5, August 25, September 17, October 27, and November 11.
- Free-entry days now apply only to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, with staff verifying status via photo ID at entry or pass use.
- Non-U.S. visitors aged 16+ face a $100 per-person surcharge at designated parks or can purchase a $250 nonresident annual pass, while the resident annual pass remains $80.
- The surcharge applies at Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion.
- The calendar drops Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth and adds Flag Day; waived fees cover only standard entrance costs and some parks may still require timed-entry reservations, with digital passes available on Recreation.gov.