National Park Week moved

National Park Week will happen on Aug. 22-30 in 2026, not in its usual April slot. The National Park Service and the Interior Department announced the shift on March 20. (nps.gov) The federal agencies tied the new dates to two anniversaries that fall this year: the National Park Service turns 110 on Aug. 25, 2026, and the United States marks its 250th anniversary in 2026. The week’s theme is “Celebrate America’s Story.” (doi.gov) That change moves the event away from its long-running Earth Day timing. National Park Week has historically fallen around April 22, and National Junior Ranger Day has usually been listed as an April event on National Park Service annual calendars. (knoxnews.com) (nps.gov) In 2026, the big fee-free day tied to the celebration will land on Tuesday, Aug. 25, when entrance fees will be waived for U.S. citizens and residents at fee-charging parks for the agency’s birthday. The National Park Service says parks across the system will host ranger programs, family activities and other events during the Aug. 22-30 run. (nps.gov 1) (nps.gov 2) National Junior Ranger Day also moves with it this year. The National Park Service lists the 2026 date as Aug. 22, the opening Saturday of National Park Week, though it says some parks may schedule local programs on alternate dates. (nps.gov) The timing also stretches the celebration across two weekends, giving parks and visitors more days at the end of summer to build trips around the event. Partner materials from the Park Service describe the 2026 schedule as “new dates and a new theme,” with many of the same weeklong activities. (nps.gov) (rvtravel.com) The move does not mean every national park becomes free for the full week. The Park Service’s announcement points to one nationwide fee-free day on Aug. 25, while other programming will vary by site and some parks never charge entrance fees at all. (nps.gov 1) (nps.gov 2) For visitors who usually look for National Park Week in April, the 2026 version is now a late-summer event centered on Aug. 25. The Park Service is directing travelers to check individual park calendars as August approaches. (nps.gov)