Free Entrance Day for National Park Week 2025

National parks come in different shapes, sizes and naming designations. The National Park Service sponsors National Park Week each year to celebrate all of them — and everything about them.

Here are five ways park supporters can join the celebration April 19-27.

1. Get in parks for free April 19.

Yes, you read that correctly! Saturday, April 19, is a free entrance day at parks that normally charge a fee to enter.

What a great way to explore a new park or an old favorite while kicking off the National Park Service’s annual celebration. Just be aware that visitors still need to pay user fees associated with camping, boat launches and other amenities while in the park.

2. Get children involved in National Junior Ranger Day April 19.

On Saturday, April 19, the Park Service also celebrates its junior ranger program, which offers fun activities for the whole family to connect with parks and their stories.

Many parks will have special programming for youngsters as part of National Park Week. Check out the activities and events.

3. Join the fun at ‘Camp NPCA’ on social media all week.

Pack your curiosity and a sense of adventure and get ready to make lasting memories at Camp NPCA, a one-of-a-kind online experience.

Park lovers of all ages can complete “camp activities” in our virtual obstacle course at their own pace. Each virtual obstacle represents an action you can take from the comfort of your own home. Share a social media post for show-n-tell. Take part in our relay race by starting your own park fundraiser. Participate in the scavenger hunt to find treasures of NPCA’s annual silent auction. We’ll be sharing park stories and tips throughout the week in the form of “campfire stories” on social media, so make sure you follow along to complete the talent show obstacle.

While there’s no pressure to complete every obstacle, a FREE NPCA membership awaits the first 50 “campers” who finish the course! Plus – stock up on park gear – all purchases from NPCA’s store are 10% off with promo code PARKWEEK10.

It has been a challenging time for our parks and the people who operate and protect them. Park staff are essential to the preservation of our national heritage, the park experiences we share and the economic well-being of gateway communities across the country. NPCA continues to stand up for the protection of our national parks and those who dedicate their careers to safeguarding them. There is no “camp” without “camp counselors.”

4. Honor Earth Day and national parks at the same time April 22.

Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22, and exploring national parks is a natural way to celebrate.

The first Earth Day was in 1970, created in part because of a pollution-caused fire on the Cuyahoga River the year before. Greater attention to our natural resources since then — thanks to the Clean Water Act, Environmental Protection Agency and ongoing work by environmental organizations, including NPCA — this Ohio river and other waterways in the U.S. are much, much cleaner.

You can see for yourself at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

You can listen to an NPCA podcast to learn more about restoration efforts at Cuyahoga.

5. Volunteer at a national park — or say ‘thank you’ to someone who does.

National Volunteer Week coincides with National Park Week, and there are thousands of volunteer projects and special events April 20-26, whether online, at a visitor center or on a trail.

You can learn more about volunteering with the Park Service or find a volunteer event. If you’re visiting a national park, offer a word of thanks to the volunteers you meet for the work they do to support our parks. If you’re a proud volunteer, the Park Service encourages you to share your experience on social media by tagging the park where you volunteer and adding #NPSVolunteer, #MyParkStory and #NVW.