What Are Fee Free Days in National Parks?
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What Are Fee Free Days in National Parks?
There are a few days each year when visiting your favorite national park comes with an added bonus: free admission! These are known as Fee Free Days, and they’re a great opportunity to explore public lands, try a new park, or finally plan that hike, paddle, or picnic you’ve been meaning to take. And yes, that includes Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA)!
Many people don’t realize that CRNRA is part of the National Park Service — making it one of more than 400 national park sites across the country. Stretching nearly 50 miles along the Chattahoochee River through metro Atlanta, the park protects forests, wildlife habitat, cultural history, and access to outdoor recreation for millions of visitors each year.
Why Do National Parks Charge Entrance Fees?
Entrance fees help support the parks you love. Across the National Park System, fee dollars are used to maintain trails, improve visitor facilities, repair infrastructure, support accessibility projects, protect natural resources, and enhance the overall visitor experience.
At CRNRA, your daily or annual pass directly supports the park. In fact, at least 80% of entrance fees collected stay within the park where they were paid and are used for projects that improve visitor experiences. That means your $5 daily pass or $40 annual pass helps care for trails, river access points, signage, restrooms, maintenance projects, and more right here along the Chattahoochee. The remaining 20% supports parks across the country that do not collect entrance fees or need additional support.
2026 National Park Fee Free Days
On Fee Free Days, all National Park Service sites that normally charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone eligible under the 2026 policy. Other fees, including timed-entry or reservation fees, may still apply at some parks.
Fee Free Days can change from year to year depending on federal administration priorities and National Park Service direction. While some holidays and commemorative dates appear regularly, the official list is announced annually.
Mark your calendars for these 2026 Fee Free Days:
- February 16: Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
- July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
- August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- September 17: Constitution Day
- October 27: Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
- November 11: Veterans Day
Planning Your Visit to CRNRA
Fee Free Days can be some of the busiest days of the year in national parks, especially during holiday weekends and nice weather. If you’re planning to visit CRNRA, consider arriving early, carpooling when possible, and exploring some of the park’s lesser-known trailheads and river access points.
Whether you’re hiking through the forest, paddling the river, fishing, birdwatching, or simply enjoying time outdoors close to home, Fee Free Days are a reminder that national parks belong to all of us — and that every visit helps build appreciation for the places worth protecting!
Support Your Local National Park
If you enjoy CRNRA, consider supporting the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC). Your donation helps maintain and improve our beautiful trails and river, ensuring they remain a top destination and escape for metro Atlanta. Every contribution makes a difference in preserving this natural treasure for future generations.
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Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We are proud to support our Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a unit of the national park system managed by the National Park Service.
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