FILE: Celebrating America 250: America’s Amazing Southwest National Parks
As FOX Weather celebrates America’s 250th birthday, FOX Weather Senior Correspondent Robert Ray showcases the amazing national parks he’s covered in the American Southwest, including Utah’s “Mighty 5.” See some of the world’s greatest natural wonders:
All 64 of America’s are free to enter on Tuesday, for the second-to-last time in 2026.
The fee-free day is in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday.
Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States and served from 1901 to 1909 and is widely considered to be the “Conservation President” for his efforts establishing national forests and protecting America’s natural landscapes.
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Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), the 26th President of the United States, (1901-1909).
During his first term as president, Roosevelt passed the Reclamation Act of 1902 and added more than 125 million acres to national forests, the National Park Service said.
To celebrate,U.S. citizens and residents don’t have to pay a fee to enter the national parks.
Other fees, including timed entry or reservation entry at national parks that require them, will still apply.
Other fee-free days
There are eight entrance-fee-free occasions each year.
On Nov. 11, Veterans Day, the parks will be fee-free again for the last time this year.
Other fee-free days fall on Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday, Independence Day, the National Park Service’s birthday and Constitution Day.
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Visitors at entrance to Zion National Park, Utah.
(Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group /
Additionally, fourth graders get access to thousands of recreational locations in the U.S., including national parks, for their entire fourth grade year entirely for free.
The program is called the Digital Every Kid Outdoors 4th Grade Pass, and covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at thousands of recreation locations, managed by six federal agencies.
In order to redeem, a voucher is needed. Learn more at recreation.gov.
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Another program, called the America the Beautiful—The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass, is available free for U.S. citizens or residents with permanent disabilities, according to the NPS website.
Passes can be picked up in person, ordered online or accessed digitally.
Learn more on the NPS website.
Yosemite, CA, – May 16, 2026: People sit at Columbia Rock on the Upper Yosemite Falls trail in Yosemite National Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026 in Yosemite, CA.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times /
Fee-free days provide a great opportunity to explore a national park on your bucket list, or maybe one that’s near you.
Learn more about the U.S. National Parks and find one nearest you at the National Park Service website.
