National Park Service waives fees Memorial Day May 25

The National Park Service will waive entrance fees for U.S. residents on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, at all park sites that normally charge an entrance fee, the agency said this week. Other charges, including timed-entry and reservation fees, may still apply, according to the park service. (home.nps.gov) The agency said the holiday is one of eight patriotic fee-free days on the 2026 calendar. Zion National Park, one of the system’s busiest destinations, separately warned visitors to expect congestion, limited parking and long waits over the holiday weekend. ### Which parks are actually free on Memorial Day? (nps.gov) Monday, May 25, is a fee-free day only at National Park Service sites that normally charge an entrance fee, according to the agency’s Memorial Day announcement. That means visitors will not pay the standard entrance charge at participating sites for that day. The National Park Service said the waiver applies to U.S. residents. The agency also said Memorial Day is part of a broader 2026 schedule of fee-free dates that includes Presidents Day, Flag Day, Independence Day weekend, the National Park Service’s birthday, Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday and Veterans Day. (home.nps.gov) ### What fees could visitors still have to pay? The National Park Service said the Memorial Day waiver does not erase every cost tied to a park visit. Timed-entry fees and reservation fees may still be charged even when the entrance fee itself is waived. (home.nps.gov) National Park Service fee pages for multiple sites repeat that same condition, telling visitors that free-entry days cover admission but not all add-on charges. Travelers who need a vehicle reservation, campground booking or other advance access product should check the specific park page before leaving home. (home.nps.gov) ### Why are parks warning people about crowds? Zion National Park said on May 21 that visitors should expect heavy traffic, limited parking, shuttle bus lines and long waits as the park moves into its busy summer season. The park said advance planning can make the trip safer and more enjoyable. (home.nps.gov) The park’s planning guidance says parking spaces fill quickly and points visitors to shuttle and trip-planning information before arrival. Zion also says no ticket, permit or reservation is needed for most visits to Zion Canyon or to ride the shuttle, but that does not eliminate crowding during peak holiday periods. (nps.gov) ### What should visitors do before they go? Zion National Park told visitors to plan ahead for transportation, parking and long waits over Memorial Day weekend. The park’s official planning pages direct first-time visitors to maps, shuttle information, seasonal guides and current conditions before they travel. (nps.gov) The National Park Service said families, veterans and communities can use the holiday to visit parks and reflect together. For travelers, the practical next step is to check whether the destination normally charges an entrance fee, whether any reservation or timed-entry system remains in place, and what local crowd conditions the park expects. (nps.gov) ### Where can travelers confirm details for their specific park? NPS.gov is the main source for park-by-park fee, reservation and trip-planning details, and the agency’s Memorial Day page links visitors to entrance-fee and pass information. Zion’s park website also posts planning guides, shuttle details, publications and current visitor information. (nps.gov) Monday, May 25, 2026, is the Memorial Day fee-free date, and Zion’s May 21 advisory is already in effect for the holiday weekend. Visitors heading out over the next several days can confirm conditions and any remaining reservation requirements on their park’s official National Park Service page before departure. (home.nps.gov) (nps.gov 1) (nps.gov 2)