What Are Fee Free Days in National Parks?

There are a few days each year when visiting your favorite national park comes with an added bonus: free admission! These are known as Fee Free Days, and they’re a great opportunity to explore public lands, try a new park, or finally plan that hike, paddle, or picnic you’ve been meaning to take. And yes, that includes Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA)!

Many people don’t realize that CRNRA is part of the National Park Service — making it one of more than 400 national park sites across the country. Stretching nearly 50 miles along the Chattahoochee River through metro Atlanta, the park protects forests, wildlife habitat, cultural history, and access to outdoor recreation for millions of visitors each year.

Why Do National Parks Charge Entrance Fees?

Entrance fees help support the parks you love. Across the National Park System, fee dollars are used to maintain trails, improve visitor facilities, repair infrastructure, support accessibility projects, protect natural resources, and enhance the overall visitor experience.


At CRNRA, your daily or annual pass directly supports the park. In fact, at least 80% of entrance fees collected stay within the park where they were paid and are used for projects that improve visitor experiences. That means your $5 daily pass or $40 annual pass helps care for trails, river access points, signage, restrooms, maintenance projects, and more right here along the Chattahoochee. The remaining 20% supports parks across the country that do not collect entrance fees or need additional support.



2026 National Park Fee Free Days

On Fee Free Days, all National Park Service sites that normally charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone eligible under the 2026 policy. Other fees, including timed-entry or reservation fees, may still apply at some parks.


Fee Free Days can change from year to year depending on federal administration priorities and National Park Service direction. While some holidays and commemorative dates appear regularly, the official list is announced annually.


Mark your calendars for these 2026 Fee Free Days:

  • February 16: Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
  • May 25: Memorial Day
  • June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
  • 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


Planning Your Visit to CRNRA

Fee Free Days can be some of the busiest days of the year in national parks, especially during holiday weekends and nice weather. If you’re planning to visit CRNRA, consider arriving early, carpooling when possible, and exploring some of the park’s lesser-known trailheads and river access points.


Whether you’re hiking through the forest, paddling the river, fishing, birdwatching, or simply enjoying time outdoors close to home, Fee Free Days are a reminder that national parks belong to all of us — and that every visit helps build appreciation for the places worth protecting!

Support Your Local National Park

If you enjoy CRNRA, consider supporting the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC). Your donation helps maintain and improve our beautiful trails and river, ensuring they remain a top destination and escape for metro Atlanta. Every contribution makes a difference in preserving this natural treasure for future generations.

Support CRNRA

Related Posts

Presidents Day: How Presidents Have Shaped Our Public Lands & Waters

February 16, 2026
On Presidents Day, we often think about leadership, legacy, and the long arc of decisions that shape our country. One of the most enduring legacies of U.S. presidents is the protection of public lands! From sweeping conservation movements to the creation of specific parks and trails, presidential leadership has played a pivotal role in making sure that places like Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) remain protected and accessible. The Presidency and the Birth of Public Lands Since the late 1800s, presidents have used their authority to conserve land for the public good. Today, the National Park System includes more than 430 sites that protect landscapes, ecosystems, historic places, and waterways, many of which exist because a president chose long-term stewardship over short-term gain. Beyond preserving scenic areas, these decisions were about clean water, public access, community well-being, and the belief that nature should belong to everyone.

Building Community and Access on the Trail

February 2, 2026
At Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC), our mission is to build community, enrich lives, and catalyze support to ensure a sustainable national park for future generations. A core part of that work is helping increase access to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), so that everyone feels welcome, represented, and connected to this incredible public space! This Black History Month, we’re reflecting on the deep and often overlooked connections between Black history and the outdoors, while also uplifting local organizations that are actively expanding access, building community, and enriching lives through outdoor experiences today. Exploring Access and Visibility: Who Gets to Feel Welcomed in Outdoor Spaces? For generations, the outdoors has been a place of freedom, healing, resistance, and joy for all. Yet systemic barriers like segregation, exclusion from public lands, and ongoing inequities have limited access and visibility in outdoor spaces for people of color. Today, Black-led and BIPOC-centered outdoor organizations are helping change that reality. Through intentional programming, shared experiences, and community-led leadership, these groups are creating entry points into nature that feel welcoming and safe. Their work aligns closely with CNPC’s belief that access to the outdoors strengthens not only individuals, but the community as a whole.

World Wetlands Day: Why Wetlands Matter Along the Chattahoochee

January 28, 2026
Cover image by Sebastian Hagan Each year on World Wetlands Day (February 2), we pause to celebrate some of the hardest-working ecosystems on the planet. Wetlands may not always get the spotlight like mountaintops or waterfalls, but here at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), they quietly (and powerfully!) do it all. From filtering our water to protecting wildlife and people alike, wetlands are essential to the health of the river and the communities that surround it.