Kim McMahill

In 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All Nati onal Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone* (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply) . Five have already passed. The next free day will be on September 17, 2026 in celebration of Constitution Day. The remaining dates are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday November 11:  Veterans Day *Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

In 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone* (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Four have already passed. The next free day will be on August 25, 2026 in celebration of the 110 th Anniversary of the National Park Service. The remaining dates are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm September 17: Constitution Day October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday November 11: Veterans Day *Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees. 

In 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All Nati onal Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply) . Three have already passed. The next free days will be from July 3-5, 2026 in celebration of Independence Day. The remaining dates are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   August 25:  110th Birthday of the National Park Service September 17:  Constitution Day October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday November 11:  Veterans Day *Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

I n 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). The first two have already passed. The next will be on June 14 in celebration of Flag Day. The remaining dates are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   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   *Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

In 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). The first was February 16. The next will be on May 25 for Memorial Day. The remaining dates are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm June 14:  Flag Day 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 Note: Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

“There is nothing so American as our national parks. The scenery and the wildlife are native. The fundamental idea behind the parks is native. It is, in brief, that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us. The parks stand as the outward symbol of the great human principle.” Franklin D. Roosevelt (Photo: Grand Teton National Park)

Here are a few photos from our first summer road trip in the adventure van. We made a large swing from Wyoming to the border between Utah and Arizona and saw some spectacular scenery along the way, which included National Parks, State Parks, Bureau of Land Management units, and lots of stunning National Forests and private attractions. I hope your summer is getting off to a great start. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

In 2023, the National Park Service has five entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. The next fee-free day will be on April 22, the first day of National Parks Week. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

In 2023, the National Park Service has five entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. The first one will be on January 16, 2023, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   Other Entrance Fee Free Days include: April 22: First day of National Park Week August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act September 23: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day

In 2022, the National Park Service has five entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Four have already come and gone, but the last fee-free day will be on November 11 for Veterans Day. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

In 2022, the National Park Service has five entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Three have already come and gone, but the next fee-free day is coming up on September 24 in celebration of National Public Lands Day. The last fee-free day of the year will be on November 11 for Veterans Day. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

In 2022, the National Park Service has five entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. The next fee-free day is April 16, the first day of National Park Week. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

In 2021, the National Park Service has six entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. The last fee-free day in 2021 is November 11, Veterans Day. Get out and enjoy your parks and say a special thank you to all Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

In 2021 the National Park Service has six entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. The next  fee-free day is  August 25, in celebration of the National Park Service’s birthday. Be sure to get out and enjoy your favorite National Park or discover something new for free. The remaining fee-free days in 2021 are September 25 (National Public Lands Day) and November 11 (Veterans Day). For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

In 2021 the National Park Service has six entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. August 4 is one such day in celebration of the one-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act. Be sure to get out and enjoy your favorite National Park for free. The remaining free days are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   August 25: National Park Service Birthday September 25: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day There is nothing so American as our national parks. The scenery and the wildlife are native. The fundamental idea behind the parks is native. It is, in brief, that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us. The parks stand as the outward symbol of the great human principle.”  Franklin D. Roosevelt

This past weekend, even though the weather predictions weren’t great, we ventured into Yellowstone National Park and it was a stellar day with warm temperatures and beautiful blue skies. The wildlife must have also enjoyed the lovely day as we saw a grizzly bear, three black bears (one alone and one with a cub), bison (many new calves), elk (one new calf), deer, pronghorn, and three moose outside the northeast gate. On top of the wonderful wildlife viewing, the temperatures were perfect for some hikes. We always try to get into the park before Memorial Day to avoid the bigger crowds. It is starting to fill up, but at least we could find parking spots and a few moments of solace. If you get an opportunity to visit, I hope you can find you moment of peace and calm as well.

In 2021 the National Park Service has six entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Saturday, April 17 is the second one in 2021, in celebration of the first Day in National Park Week. Be sure to get out and enjoy your favorite National Park for free. The remaining free days are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   August 4: One year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act August 25: National Park Service Birthday September 25: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day

In 2021 the National Park Service has six entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for the following dates. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm January 18: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. April 17: First day of National Park Week August 4: One year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act August 25: National Park Service Birthday September 25: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day

Each year the National Park Service has a number of entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. The last one for 2020 is November 11, Veterans Day. Be sure to check out your nearest National Park Service site on this free day. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous," Aristotle. I can think of no better way to describe Yellowstone in the fall. The park is always amazing, but nothing compares to the opportunity to enjoy its wonders without the hordes of people and to find complete solitude in much of its diverse landscape.