National parks waive entrance fees on May 25

The National Park Service said entrance fees will be waived on Monday, May 25, 2026, at all park sites that normally charge them, part of the agency’s Memorial Day observance. The fee holiday applies to U.S. residents and covers entrance charges only, according to an NPS announcement issued on May 21. Other costs, including timed-entry and reservation fees, may still apply. Park officials and park websites are also warning that the holiday will bring heavier traffic at some of the system’s busiest destinations. ### Which fees are actually being waived on May 25? The National Park Service said May 25 is a fee-free day for all sites that normally charge an entrance fee. The agency described Memorial Day as one of eight patriotic fee-free days in 2026. Jessica Bowron, comptroller exercising the delegated authority of the NPS director, said in the agency’s release that Memorial Day is a day to remember that “freedom has always carried a cost.” The announcement said the waiver is intended to make it easier for families, veterans and communities to visit parks and reflect together. ### What still costs money even if the gate fee is gone? The May 21 NPS release said “other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may still apply.” That means the fee waiver does not automatically remove separate charges or booking requirements tied to lodging, campgrounds, tours, shuttles or park-specific reservation systems. Yosemite National Park said a reservation is not required to enter the park in 2026, but it still strongly recommends reservations for lodging, camping and backpacking. (nps.gov) Yosemite also said millions of people visit from April through October and told visitors to “pack your patience.” ### Why are Zion and other big parks warning about crowds? Zion National Park said on May 21 that visitors should expect heavy traffic, limited parking, shuttle bus lines and long waits over Memorial Day weekend as the park enters its busy summer season. (nps.gov) The park urged travelers to plan ahead to make trips safer and more manageable. (nps.gov) Zion’s traffic guidance says parking spaces fill quickly and that the Zion Canyon shuttle runs during the busy season because personal vehicles are not allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive north of Canyon Junction during shuttle operations. The park’s current conditions page also says Zion has limited parking and tells visitors to use designated stalls or park in Springdale once park lots are full. (nps.gov) ### Does Yosemite still require timed entry for Memorial Day weekend? Yosemite National Park said in February that it would no longer use a timed reservation system in 2026 after reviewing 2025 traffic patterns, parking availability and visitor use. The park said a season-wide reservation requirement was not the most effective approach this year. (nps.gov) The Yosemite reservations page says no entrance reservation is required in 2026, but visitors still need the appropriate permits or bookings for activities such as overnight wilderness trips, Half Dome hikes, lodging and campgrounds. ### Where should visitors check before they leave? NPS.gov is the main source for park-specific alerts, reservation rules, road conditions and fee details before Memorial Day travel. (nps.gov) The national Memorial Day page links visitors to entrance-fee information, while individual park pages such as Zion’s conditions page and Yosemite’s planning pages list current restrictions and booking requirements. (nps.gov) Monday, May 25, 2026, is the fee-free date, and the National Park Service has already posted the next step for travelers: check individual park pages before arrival because reservation systems, parking limits and separate fees can still shape access at specific sites. (nps.gov 1) (nps.gov 2)