Veterans Day is one of the best budget-friendly days to visit America’s national parks because entrance fees are waived on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. It’s a perfect excuse for a spontaneous day hike, a scenic drive, or a photo mission at golden hour without the gate cost.
Go explore a new park or revisit a favorite without the gate cost!
Keep in mind the fee waiver covers entrance only. Campground, tour, shuttle, and permit fees still apply, and some parks use timed entry or run seasonal shuttles. Check park alerts, road conditions, and hours before you go, pack for cooler temps and early sunsets, and arrive early to snag parking.
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Table of Contents
National Parks You Can Enter Free on Veterans Day 2025
Below is a quick guide to all 63 U.S. National Parks (alphabetical) so you can pick a destination fast.
Acadia (ME) — granite peaks, rocky coast, sunrise at Cadillac.
American Samoa (AS) — tropical reefs, rainforest, quiet beaches.
Arches (UT) — 2,000+ sandstone arches and fins.
Badlands (SD) — otherworldly buttes and fossil beds.
Big Bend (TX) — Chisos Mountains and Rio Grande canyons.
Biscayne (FL) — coral reefs, clear water, boating/snorkeling.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison (CO) — sheer, shadowy canyon walls.
Bryce Canyon (UT) — amphitheaters of hoodoos.
Canyonlands (UT) — vast canyons; Island in the Sky views.
Capitol Reef (UT) — Waterpocket Fold and orchard country.
Carlsbad Caverns (NM) — enormous cave rooms, evening bat flights.
Channel Islands (CA) — wild islands, kelp forests, seabirds.
Congaree (SC) — towering old-growth bottomland forest.
Crater Lake (OR) — America’s deepest lake, caldera rim drives.
Cuyahoga Valley (OH) — waterfalls, towpath trail, rolling farms.
Death Valley (CA/NV) — salt flats, sand dunes, stark peaks.
Denali (AK) — North America’s highest peak, big wildlife.
Dry Tortugas (FL) — Fort Jefferson, turquoise water, snorkeling.
Everglades (FL) — sawgrass prairies, gators, birdlife.
Gates of the Arctic (AK) — remote Brooks Range wilderness.
Gateway Arch (MO) — iconic 630-ft arch and museum.
Glacier (MT) — jagged peaks, Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Glacier Bay (AK) — tidewater glaciers, whales, fjords.
Grand Canyon (AZ) — world-famous chasm and rim vistas.
Grand Teton (WY) — dramatic skyline, alpine lakes, moose.
Great Basin (NV) — bristlecone pines, Lehman Caves, dark skies.
Great Sand Dunes (CO) — tallest dunes in North America.
Great Smoky Mountains (NC/TN) — waterfalls, foggy ridgelines, biodiversity.
Guadalupe Mountains (TX) — Texas’ highest peak, fossil reef.
Haleakalā (HI, Maui) — volcanic summit sunrise, cinder cones.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes (HI, Hawaiʻi Island) — active volcano landscapes.
Hot Springs (AR) — historic bathhouses and thermal water.
Indiana Dunes (IN) — Lake Michigan beaches and dunes.
Isle Royale (MI) — island wilderness, moose and wolves.
Joshua Tree (CA) — boulder gardens and yucca “trees.”
Katmai (AK) — brown bears fishing at Brooks Falls.
Kenai Fjords (AK) — glaciers, sea otters, puffins.
Kings Canyon (CA) — deep glacial canyon, giant sequoias.
Kobuk Valley (AK) — Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, caribou.
Lake Clark (AK) — salmon runs, bears, tundra lakes.
Lassen Volcanic (CA) — hydrothermal features, volcanic peaks.
Mammoth Cave (KY) — world’s longest cave system.
Mesa Verde (CO) — Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.
Mount Rainier (WA) — glaciated volcano, summer wildflowers.
New River Gorge (WV) — sandstone cliffs, famous steel bridge.
North Cascades (WA) — rugged peaks, turquoise glacial lakes.
Olympic (WA) — mountains, rainforest, wild coast in one.
Petrified Forest (AZ) — fossilized wood, Painted Desert vistas.
Pinnacles (CA) — spires, talus caves, California condors.
Redwood (CA) — world’s tallest trees, fern canyons.
Rocky Mountain (CO) — alpine lakes, Trail Ridge Road.
Saguaro (AZ) — forests of giant cacti.
Sequoia (CA) — General Sherman Tree, giant groves.
Shenandoah (VA) — Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge overlooks.
Theodore Roosevelt (ND) — badlands, bison, prairie solitude.
Virgin Islands (USVI) — reefs and white-sand bays.
Voyageurs (MN) — water-based park; houseboats and loon calls.
White Sands (NM) — wave-like gypsum dunes.
Wind Cave (SD) — intricate boxwork caves, bison above.
Wrangell–St. Elias (AK) — America’s largest park; huge glaciers.
Yellowstone (WY/MT/ID) — geysers, hot springs, abundant wildlife.
Yosemite (CA) — granite domes, giant waterfalls, big walls.
Zion (UT) — red-rock canyon hikes, Angels Landing.
Quick Tips for Veterans Day (Nov 11, 2025)
Arrive early. Tuesday usually means lighter morning crowds so aim for gate open to snag parking and quieter trails.
Entrance is free; everything else isn’t. Camping, tours, shuttles, and permits still carry normal fees.
Check park alerts before you roll. Look for road/maintenance closures, weather advisories, or shuttle requirements.
Mind the daylight. Early sunset = bring a headlamp, extra layers, and plan to finish hikes before dark.
Winter-readiness at elevation. Icy patches and wind are common… traction aids, gloves, and a warm hat help.
Know the rules for pets. Many parks limit dogs on trails so verify dog-friendly areas to avoid turning back.
Parking strategy. Use less popular entrances, park once, then ride shuttles or walk connector paths if available.
Download offline maps. Cell service is spotty; cache Google Maps and your trail map before you lose bars.
Fuel, food, water. Fill up in the gateway town and pack snacks because concessions can be closed or limited.
Leave No Trace. Stay on marked trails, pack out trash, and go easy on fragile soils and cryptobiotic crusts.
Photography plan. Golden hour (right after sunrise/before sunset) is prime so scout a viewpoint in advance.
Have a backup plan. If lots fill or winds shut down a rim road, pivot to a scenic drive, visitor center exhibits, or a lower-elevation hike.
Year-round savings. If you’re a veteran or Gold Star family, check NPS pass options… some programs can save money beyond the free-entry day.
Before You Go: Handy Reads & Resources
If this free-entry day turns into a last-minute park run, these quick guides and easy recipes will keep things simple. From no-fuss meals to must-have lighting and cold-weather sleep tips.
How to Cook While Camping (Beginner’s Guide): camp kitchen setup, safety, and simple workflows.
15 Easy One-Pot Camping Meals: hearty dinners with minimal cleanup.
Make-Ahead Camping Meals: prep at home, eat well at the park.
Breakfast Foil Packet Meals: fast, customizable morning fuel.
Best Camping Water Filters: clean water options for any park plan.
Camping Lights for Night Cooking: headlamps, lanterns, and layout tips.
Best Sleeping Bags for Camping: pick the right temp rating for November nights.
Campfire S’mores Fruit Parfaits: fun, no-bake dessert to cap the day.
Check out my article on the 10 Must-Have Camping Cookware for Outdoor Cooking. It's packed with essential gear recommendations to make your camping meals even more delicious and hassle-free!
