National parks nationwide waive entrance fees for Veterans Day

Now's the time to visit your favorite national park

By Sarah Joseph Published November 9, 2024

West ridge of Amphitheater Mountain at Yellowstone National Park in the winter — Jim Peaco / NPS

This Veterans Day, national parks across the United States invite all visitors to enter free of charge in honor of the service and dedication of America’s veterans, who have played a significant role in protecting and preserving our cherished national park system. From rescuing stranded hikers to neutralizing old explosives, these veterans have gone above and beyond to serve our nation and the land we hold most dear. Today, more than 4,000 veterans are employed in the National Park Service, and they account for about 20% of the park rangers across the nation.

If you’re planning on visiting one of our gorgeous national parks on Monday, November 11, keep in mind that fees for camping and other special activities will still remain in effect. It’s bound to be crowded, so make sure that you make any reservations well in advance.

Recommended Videos

To avoid the crowds, you’ll want to plan your trip. Try to go early in the morning or a couple hours before closing. This will give you the best chance to experience your favorite landmarks without elbowing other visitors. You might also consider exploring lesser-known areas to dodge crowds. Enter the park through a secondary entrance, and do your best to bypass the main traffic hubs.

While the entrance fees are being waived this Veteran’s day, the National Park Service honors veterans no matter the time of year. Veterans, Gold Star families, active service members, and their dependents all qualify for a free America the Beautiful pass, which will get you into any national park.

Topics

Contributor

With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, Sarah is always thrilled to share nature with others through…

Outdoors

The 20 best U.S. national parks to explore now

There are a lot of national parks to see, so here's a list to start with

Glacier National Park

As filmmaker Ken Burs rightly described, the national park system was "America's best idea." Today, these nature oases see over 331 million recreational visits per year, by last year's count. According to the National Park Service, 2024 saw the highest number of U.S. national park visitors of all time, as people from all walks of life sought a bit more of the outdoors. If that's you, it can be overwhelming to try and figure out which park to explore. From sea to shining sea, I've compiled a list of our favorite U.S. national parks that will satisfy your taste for adventure.
National Park Pass programs

Before we get into our list of the best national parks, we need to have a quick chat about the various National Park Pass programs. These passes will give you entry to the 430 parks across the U.S., and it's a good idea to book them in advance even though many also allow you to pay with card only at the entrance gates. Depending on your needs, there are different types of passes to choose from.

Outdoors

Crater Lake’s 2026 closure means now’s the time to visit

This is your last chance to visit Crater Lake National Park for three years

Crater Lake view

Crater Lake, which is the deepest lake in the United States, is closing for three years starting in 2026. Fortunately, Crater Lake National Park, one of the most underrated parks in the U.S., will still be open for visitors, but only park rangers and officials will be allowed to approach the water after this summer. This means that summer of 2025 will be your last year to swim here for a while. All boat tours from The Cleetwood Cove Marina will also be on hold, so this is the year to go!

This closure is just the first step in a huge rehabilitation project that will seek to update the trail and related infrastructure to improve safe access to the lake and visitor services. Cleetwood Cove Trail that leads up to Crater Lake is one of the most-used trails in the park since it's the only permitted access point to the shore, and the entire 1.1 miles of the trail is getting a huge makeover.

Travel

Skip the crowds: These underrated national parks are perfect for budget travelers

Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska tops the list

Kenai Fjords National Park

National parks are more popular than ever, with a record 331 million visitors exploring the great outdoors in 2024. But if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and save money, there’s good news. HomeToGo’s 2025 National Park Report has just revealed the most affordable hidden gem national parks for budget-conscious travelers.

Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska tops the list, offering gorgeous glaciers, fjords, and icefield views at a median accommodation price of just $59 per night. This remote park provides a truly unique national park experience, where visitors can spot marine wildlife, kayak through icy waters, and hike along rugged trails.