Six National Parks You Can Visit for Free
Although some America the Beautiful lifetime passes grant free admission to US national parks, not everybody qualifies for these passes. Of course you can always purchase a yearly pass that will get you in any national park; however if you only visit a few parks that’s not very cost effective. On the other hand, not all national parks charge an admission fee. With that in mind, here are six national parks you can visit for free.
North Cascades National Park
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Located in Northern Washington, North Cascades National Park not only offers free admission, but it also boasts nearly three miles of wheelchair-accessible trails. Enjoy a short jaunt on the .3-mile Trail of the Cedars, or go for a longer hike on the 1.4-mile accessible section of the River Loop. Or just enjoy the scenic drive on the State Route 20 Corridor.
Redwood National & State Parks
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Nothing beats the majesty of Northern California’s coastal redwoods in this mixture of federal and state lands. There are numerous wheelchair-accessible trails, campsites and attractions in both the original national park, and the three additional state parks. And if you’d like to spend the night, two of the state parks offer wheelchair-accessible camping cabins.
Great Basin National Park
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A bit off-the-beaten-path in Eastern Nevada, Great Basin National Park is one of America’s least visited national parks. And that makes it a great place to get away from the crowds. There are numerous accessible overlooks on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive that offer excellent views of the “great basin”. And if you’d like to stretch your legs, the wheelchair-accessible Island Forest trail makes a .4-mile loop through a pine and fir forest.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Although there’s no entrance fee to this popular national park, there is a parking fee if you stop for longer than 15 minutes. That said, the Roaring Fork Motor Trail begins just outside of Gatlinburg, and winds 5.5 miles through a hardwood forest filled with chestnuts, oaks, maples and magnolias. You can stop along the way and snap a few photos, and still visit without a parking pass. And it’s an absolutely beautiful fall foliage drive.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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This Ohio national park offers a scenic drive along the Cuyahoga River, plus several accessible trails and attractions. Save some time to stop at the Canal Exploration Center and the Breckville Nature Center, and don’t miss the Everett Covered Bridge. And if you’d like a little hike, then take the wheelchair-accessible Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath to the Beaver Boardwalk.
Kenai Fjords
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Wrapping up our list of national parks you can visit for free is Kenai Fjords National Park. Although you can certainly visit this Alaska national park by taking a cruise to see some of the nearly 40 glaciers in the Harding Icefield, you can also get a good view of Exit Glacier from the shore. Located three miles north of Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park boasts a one-mile wheelchair accessible loop trail that leads through a cottonwood forest to an accessible viewing area. And you just can’t beat the sight of Exit Glacier, as it seemingly spills down the mountain.
Free Admission Days
If you don’t live near any of the national parks you can visit for free, you can visit any national park for free if your timing is right. In fact, all US national parks waive admission fees five days a year. Those entrance-free dates are:
- Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. — January
- First day of National Park Week. — April
- Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act. — August
- National Public Lands Day.– September
- Veterans Day — November
So mark your calendar and visit your favorite national park on one of the free admission days.
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Accessible National Parks
Tips for Visiting a National Park in a Wheelchair
