National parks are protected for everyone to enjoy, but visiting them can be expensive. As an example, it costs $35 to bring a full car into Grand Canyon National Park, and $20 per person to hike in, which includes parking, camping, lodging, and other activities. Fees are not included.
However, some national parks charge no entrance fee at all. Here are 16 national parks in the United States that are always free to enter (but keep in mind that there may be other costs, such as boat rentals, camping permits, and parking fees).
Glacier cirque of Cascade Pass. | Photo: Shoshi Park
1. North Cascades National Park, Washington
A state highway runs through North Cascades National Park, and it is free to visit. You don’t have to venture off the main road to get some amazing views, but take your time and enjoy a hike or two. Visit Lake Diablo, with its crystal clear, electric blue water. Look at the glacier. Enjoy the beauty of the rugged Alps.
Related: The Fragile Glacier World of Washington’s North Cascades National Park
2. Redwood National Park, California
Redwood National Park is often grouped with various nearby state parks, but it is the only park in the group that has free admission. Backcountry camping permits to nearly all sites (except Gold Bluffs Beach) are also free. Pack your gear and prepare to spend the night among the silent giants of the forest.
3. Channel Islands National Park, California
Entry to Channel Islands National Park is technically free, but you will need to pay for the ferry to the islands and rent a kayak or other equipment on arrival (or you can rent your own kayak for an additional fee). You can also take it on the ferry)). Santa Cruz is the park’s largest island and offers trails, sea caves, historic sites, and unique views of the California coast.
4. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Great Basin National Park offers ancient pines, glacier-capped mountains, and incredible stargazing, all free of charge. Pre-booking a tour of the spectacular Lehman Cave will cost you a few dollars, but there are plenty of lakes and hikes to check out here, so you don’t have to spend a fortune to have fun.
Mineral springs in Hot Springs National Park. | Photo: Shutterstock
5. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Hot Springs National Park is located in an urban area, so you may have to pay for parking, but admission is free to walk around and explore. The park’s visitor center, housed in the historic Fordyce Bath House, offers a glimpse into what it was like to visit Hot Springs in its heyday. A trip to a privately run bathhouse isn’t too expensive at about $30 per person, but you can sample mineral water for free.
RELATED A city in a park: Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas turns 100 years old
6. Voyagers National Park, Minnesota
Like the Channel Islands, Voyageurs National Park is also free to visit once you arrive. Most are accessible by boat, so bring or rent a kayak or canoe, or charter a ride to the visitor center. There are hiking options, but boating on the waterways and islands is also fun. In winter, you can cross the frozen lake on snowmobiles, snowshoes, or skis to reach the main body of the park.
Related Want a unique winter thrill? Drive on icy roads over frozen lakes in Voyageurs National Park
7. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley, Ohio’s only national park, is a treasure trove of natural beauty and tranquility. The old Ohio and Erie Canal passes through it, and the park’s most famous hiking trails follow the canal’s towpath. There are waterfalls, shady groves, historic farms, and a scenic train ride through the park. The park is bike-friendly, so bring your bike (or rent one nearby).
New River Gorge Bridge. | Photo: Sanna Bowman
8. New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
New River Gorge, the newest national park in the United States, was upgraded from a National River in 2020. Located in West Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains, this park is centered around the dramatic New River Gorge and features countless outdoor recreational opportunities. It doesn’t cost a penny. Hike or bike the park’s beautiful trails, take in the views of the New River Gorge Bridge, go whitewater rafting on the New River, or drive along historic Fayette Station Road.
9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains are consistently the most visited national park in the country. Admission to the park is free, but parking fees may be charged starting in 2023. During your visit, cruise through Cades Cove to see historic sites and stunning views, and tour Elkmont, a mysterious abandoned ghost town.
Related An inside guide to the hidden gems of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
10. Congaree National Park, South Carolina
A visit to South Carolina’s Congaree National Park feels like another world. The boardwalk trail offers views of the unique ecosystem. There are swamps and forests, and you can also go around the park by canoe. Sunrise is the best time to see wildlife.
Related Articles Find solace in the Congaree Wilderness, one of the least-visited national parks in the United States
View from the Biscayne National Park Visitor Center. | Photo: Sanna Bowman
11. Biscayne National Park, Florida
True, 95 percent of Biscayne National Park is underwater, but it’s free to visit. The visitor center has movies, art galleries, museum exhibits, walking trails, boat tours, and a porch with rocking chairs invites you to relax and enjoy views of Biscayne Bay.
12. Gates of Arctic National Park, Alaska
Visiting Alaska’s Arctic Gate National Park is free, but it is only accessible by bushplane and there are no roads or trails. That doesn’t seem all that important when you consider that visiting here is the ultimate goal on your bucket list. Experiencing the arctic tundra will make you feel like you’ve been to the northernmost national park.
13. Kobuck Valley National Park, Alaska
Kobuk Valley’s unique landscape of dunes and tundra, ruins, and amazing wildlife are well worth a visit. If you plan to stay for more than two days, you will need cold weather wilderness survival equipment and skills. In winter, the park is only accessible by plane, snowplow, and dog sled.
14. Clark Lake National Park, Alaska
Lake Clark National Park is a free-admission alternative to the famous Denali National Park. Brown bears, salmon runs, historic sites, lakefront beauty, and smoking volcanoes make a visit here special.
Wrangell Street Pedestrian Bridge Elias National Park. | Photo: Sanna Bowman
15. Wrangell Avenue Elias National Park, Alaska
At 13 million acres, Wrangell-Street-Elias National Park is the largest national park in the United States, in fact as large as Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the countries of Switzerland combined. Technically summer may only last a couple of months here, but the cold won’t be a problem as you explore volcanoes and glaciers, tour ghost towns, and soak in rugged landscapes.
16. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
The Kenai Fjords are just a short distance from Seward, Alaska, and although they are commonly seen on tours and excursions, you can also hike the Harding Icefields Trail or join a ranger-led tour for free. Masu.
