National Parks: Explore Nature's Best Offers

The treasures of our national parks have a lot to offer, including hiking, biking, boating, canoeing, hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, birding, plus exploring native flora and fauna, and hopefully also finding peace of mind.

So, if you're a fan of wide, open spaces, where you only hear the sounds of nature, then the National Park Service has deals for you. Not only are there specific holidays where everyone gets in for free, but there are also discounts and lifetime free passes, if you qualify, that never expire.

America the Beautiful program / National Park Service

Here's the breakdown:

Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident 62 years or older is eligible for a Senior Pass.

Senior pass for lifetime: $80
Senior pass for one year: $20

America the Beautiful — is an interagency program for access to National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands.

A pass covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by the following:

National Park Service
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers

Anyone can buy an annual pass for $80. Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident 62 years or older is eligible for a Senior Pass; $20 for one year or $80 for a lifetime.

Here's the list of available FREE passes:

Check this website for participating locations; (includes more than 1,000 sites nationwide).

Note: If you order your pass by mail instead of in-person, there may be a $10 shipping and handling fee.

As previously mentioned, all U.S. national parks offer free entry on certain holidays every year – and we've got the schedule for 2025.

2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone, however other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply.

This offer includes entry at Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park, off Key West, as well as the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Palm Beach County, plus others.

August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
September 17: Constitution Day
October 27: Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
November 11: Veterans Day

The National Park Service also reminds us that admission to many of our national parks, including Biscayne National Park in Miami, is always free. Click here for more information.

Snowy Egrets, Florida Everglades National Park, by Ken Lund

Remember: Whichever park you decide to visit, be sure to check and verify regulations and recommendations ahead of time, to avoid any unwanted surprises. Now, there's no excuse not to go enjoy the great outdoors!

Looking for more free and cheap things to do?

Find all the free and cheap events in South Florida this week
Find all the free and cheap events in South Florida this weekend
See our day-by-day calendar of free and cheap events in South Florida

Sign up for South Florida on the Cheap newsletter. Follow on Facebook and Instagram.

South Florida scenic parks and natural areas

More nature centers, parks & attractions to explore:

Free Observe the Moon Night event at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park - Come celebrate International Observe the Moon night at the the Key Biscayne landmark Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park at their free community event on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 7-9… Read more »
Free admission to visit with Mia & friends at Manatee Lagoon - Manatee Lagoon will be temporarily closed Aug. 30 to Sept. 10 and will reopen on Sept. 11, 2026. If you haven't been to Manatee Lagoon in a while, it's time… Read more »
15% off Walkthrough Safari Park through Sept. 12, Boynton Beach - We put this on our "worth mentioning" list: Walkthrough Safari Tours & Animal Park in Boynton Beach is offering a discount off the regular $25 regular admission through Saturday, Sept.… Read more »
Free entry & free rides onto Deerfield Island - Deerfield Island is a natural area on the Intracoastal Waterway in north Broward that's accessible by boat. Free water shuttle excursions to Deerfield Island Natural Area are weather permitting, Fridays,… Read more »
Admission by donation: Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Jupiter - Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter invites the public to participate in special activities. Daily admission is by donation (no set amount) to help sustain the facility and support animal conservation.… Read more »
Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a nature oasis in the city - Have you visited the Miami Beach Botanical Garden lately? This 3-acre tropical oasis sits in the heart of Miami Beach, at 2000 Convention Center Drive, and is brimming with beauty.… Read more »
Free days at national parks, plus free & discount passes for life - The treasures of our national parks have a lot to offer, including hiking, biking, boating, canoeing, hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, birding, plus exploring native flora and fauna, and hopefully also… Read more »
Vista View Park in Davie offers outdoor fitness equipment, playground & other features - While lots of parks in South Florida are fairly flat, Vista View Park in Davie is distinctive for its relatively tall terrain, with parts about 65 feet above sea level.… Read more »
What's happening in and around Boynton Beach - Boynton Beach is a thriving seaside community that is welcoming and active for residents and visitors alike. It offers a variety of cultural and community activities year-round. Many are hosted… Read more »
Admission is always free at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - If you're on a quest to discover a place where you can take the kids and enjoy the day for next to nothing, then the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in… Read more »