New Act Mandates Six Fee-Free Days Annually at National Parks, Linking Access to Service Holidays

The “Encouraging Public Service in Our National Parks and Public Land Act” is pretty straightforward: it locks in six specific days every year when you can visit any federal recreational land or water—including National Parks—without paying the standard entrance fee.

This isn't just about saving $35 on a park entrance; the bill (Sec. 2) explicitly connects these fee-free days to the idea of community service and national pride. Congress recognized that our public lands are for everyone and that these free access days are a great way to encourage volunteerism. Essentially, they’re making it easier and cheaper to get out and enjoy (or help maintain) our shared natural spaces on days that already honor service and history.

The Six Days You Can Mark on Your Calendar

Currently, the Secretary of the Interior has the discretion to designate fee-free days. This act changes that by making six days mandatory (Sec. 3), amending the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. If you’re a family planning a budget-friendly weekend trip or a busy professional looking for a day hike, here are the dates you can count on being free:

1. The Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Third Monday in January): A day dedicated to service.
2. The first day of National Park Week (April): Kicks off a week celebrating parks.
3. Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19): Recognizing this important national holiday.
4. Great American Outdoors Day (August 4): Celebrating conservation and recreation funding.
5. National Public Lands Day (Fourth Saturday in September): Often a major volunteer day.
6. Veterans Day (November 11): Honoring our service members.

Real-World Access and Impact

For the average person juggling work and family, this is a clear win for access. Think about it: MLK Jr. Day is a federal holiday, meaning many people already have the day off. By making park access free on that day, the bill makes it easier for parents to take their kids to a national forest or park for a service project or just a day of learning about nature, without the added expense. Similarly, Juneteenth and Veterans Day are now guaranteed days of free access.

While the bill locks in these six dates, it’s important to note that the Secretary of the Interior still has the authority to designate additional fee-free days beyond this required list. So, if your favorite park usually has a few extra free days a year, those aren’t going away—this bill just provides a solid, reliable foundation of six dates everyone can plan around. It’s a simple, low-vagueness measure that guarantees increased access to our national treasures, linking that access directly to days of national significance and service.