This Thursday, June 19, admission to every U.S. national park is completely free. Part of the National Park Service’s 2025 "Fee-Free Days" program, the NPS will honor Juneteenth National Independence Day, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
Juneteenth marks the date in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed 250,000 enslaved people that they were free—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Texas, a Confederate stronghold, was the last state to enforce emancipation. Today, communities around the country honor this pivotal moment in American history with music, food, storytelling and reflection—and many national parks are joining in.
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Popular parks that usually charge admission, like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Acadia and Zion, will all be free to enter on June 19. While entrance fees are waived, visitors still need to pay for amenities like camping, boat launches and certain activities. The National Park Service recommends arriving early to beat the holiday crowds.
Several parks are also hosting special Juneteenth events. The Booker T. Washington National Monument in Virginia hosts the 24th annual Celebration of Freedom featuring gospel performances and educational programming. The Boston African American National Historic Site will offer a day of cultural celebration with a dance workshop, Black-owned vendors, live drumming and Underground Railroad walking tours. Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. will lead a 2.5-mile hike to commemorate the 2.5-year delay between emancipation and enforcement in Texas.
Can’t make it on June 19? Here are the additional NPS fee-free days coming up later this year:
- Wednesday, July 16 (Bureau of Land Management’s birthday)
- Monday, August 4 (Great American Outdoors Act Signing Day)
- Saturday, September 27 (National Public Lands Day)
- Sunday, October 12 (National Wildlife Refuge Week)
- Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day)