State park free days and passes

Alabama

Entry

Per-person admission set park by park, e.g. Oak Mountain: $5 adult (12+), $2 child 4-11 and seniors 62+, free 3 and under; military and veterans free

Pass

Annual passes are sold per park and valid only at that park (Oak Mountain: $180 individual, $230 family, $80 senior)

Source: Entrance Fees and Annual Passes | Alapark · Alabama State Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Alaska

Entry

Daily parking fee at most parks, $5 to $10 per vehicle

Pass

2026 annual day-use parking pass $60 (calendar year); boat launch pass $150; free camping pass for disabled veterans

Source: Alaska State Parks Passes · Alaska State Parks (DNR Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Arizona

Entry

Day-use entrance fee charged at parks; prices vary by park (fee schedule linked from the passes page)

Pass

Annual Day Use Pass $200, up to four people, all parks including weekends and holidays; valid one year

Source: AZ State Parks passes and gift cards. | Arizona State Parks · Arizona State Parks & Trails · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Arkansas

Entry

No entrance fee; free entry to state parks

Source: Arkansas State Parks Offer One-of-a-Kind, Affordable Experiences | Arkansas.com · Arkansas State Parks (Arkansas Dept. of Parks, Heritage and Tourism) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

California

Entry

Day-use vehicle fees charged at many parks; amounts vary by park

Pass

Explorer annual $195; Golden Poppy annual $125; free 4th Grade Pass (54 parks); free Distinguished Veteran Pass; library loaner pass

Source: California State Park Passes | California State Parks · California State Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Colorado

Entry

Entry pass required at state parks; residents can add the $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass to vehicle registration

Pass

Keep Colorado Wild Pass $29 with DMV vehicle registration (residents); traditional annual pass $80

Free 2026

• Aug 3 Colorado Day (state's 150th birthday): free entry to all state parks · passed

Source: Keep Colorado Wild Pass | Colorado Parks and Wildlife · Colorado Parks and Wildlife · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Connecticut

Entry

No parking fee for Connecticut-registered vehicles (Passport to the Parks); out-of-state vehicles pay $7 to $22

Pass

Passport to the Parks: $8/year added to CT vehicle registration; seniors and disabled veterans can get free state museum passes

Source: Passport to the Parks · Connecticut DEEP State Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Delaware

Entry

Daily vehicle entry fee Mar 1 to Nov 30: DE cars $5 inland / $10 ocean parks; out-of-state $10 / $20

Pass

Annual pass $50 DE / $100 out-of-state; senior $25; $10 assistance-program pass; free library-card day pass

Source: Passes, Permits and Fees - Delaware State Parks · Delaware State Parks (DNREC) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

District of Columbia

Entry

DC has no state park system, so there are no state park entrance fees. DPR runs city parks and recreation centers. Its homepage does not mention park entry fees.

Source: Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) · DC Department of Parks and Recreation · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Florida

Entry

Daily entrance fee at parks; annual pass waives it

Pass

Individual annual $60; Family annual $120 (up to 8); 25% off for veterans; free family pass for foster families

Free 2026

• Feb 13–16 George Washington's Birthday / America 250: free day-use admission (Skyway Pier and Olustee excluded) · passed
• May 23–25 Memorial Day weekend: free day-use admission (some parks excluded) · passed
• Jul 3–5 Independence Day / America 250: free day-use admission (Homosassa Springs, Skyway Pier, Weeki Wachee excluded) · passed

Source: Florida State Parks Annual Pass | Florida State Parks · Florida State Parks (Florida DEP) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Georgia

Entry

Parking (ParkPass) $10 per vehicle per day at state parks

Pass

Annual ParkPass $70, valid 12 months; 50% off seniors 62+, 25% off military and veterans (in person); not valid at historic sites

Source: ParkPass - Georgia State Parks | Department Of Natural Resources Division · Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites (DNR) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Hawaii

Entry

Free entry and parking for Hawaii residents with ID; non-residents pay at fee parks (e.g. Akaka Falls $5/person, $10/vehicle)

Pass

Residents free with Hawaii driver's license or ID

Source: ʻAkaka Falls State Park – Division of State Parks · Hawaii Division of State Parks (DLNR) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Idaho

Entry

Motor vehicle entry fee $7 per day ($14 at premium parks) unless you have a Passport or annual sticker

Pass

Idaho State Parks Passport $10/year per vehicle with Idaho registration; non-residents: $80 annual entry sticker

Free 2026

• Jul 4 America 250: day-use fees waived for Idaho residents at all state parks · passed

Source: The Idaho State Parks Passport | Department of Parks and Recreation · Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Illinois

Entry

No entrance fee at state parks (except Wildlife Prairie Park; beaches charge $1 per person)

Source: FAQ Parks and Recreation - Camping · Illinois Department of Natural Resources · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Indiana

Entry

Daily gate fee per vehicle: $7 Indiana plates, $15 out-of-state (higher at Indiana Dunes and Prophetstown)

Pass

Annual pass $50 (Jan-Dec); non-resident $120; Golden Hoosier Passport $25 (65+); free for Gold Star and foster families

Free 2026

• May 3 Welcome Weekend: free admission to all Indiana State Parks properties · passed

Source: State Parks: Entrance Fees · Indiana DNR Division of State Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Iowa

Not confirmed: we couldn't find the entry rules on the agency's own site as of Oct 15, 2026. No statewide entry-fee statement found on the DNR site; DNR alert says the Lake Manawa non-resident entry fee ended Jan 1, 2026

Source: All Active Park Alerts · Iowa DNR State Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Kansas

Entry

Vehicle permit required at all state parks: daily $5 now, $7 from Nov 1, 2026

Pass

Annual vehicle permit $25 ($39 from 11/1/2026); State Park Passport with vehicle registration $15.50 ($30.50 from 11/1/2026)

Source: Kansas State Park Entrance and Camping Fees | Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks · Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Kentucky

Entry

No general admission fee

Source: FAQs - Kentucky State Parks · Kentucky State Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Louisiana

Entry

Day-use fee $3 per person at state parks; seniors 62+ and children 3 and under free

Pass

$100 annual park pass covers a vehicle's occupants; free for disabled veterans with permit; active military 50% off

Source: Fees And Facilities | Louisiana State Parks - Culture, Recreation, and Tourism · Louisiana State Parks (Office of State Parks, CRT) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Maine

Entry

Day-use fee at parks; Maine residents 65+ get in free with proof of age

Pass

Vehicle season pass $105 (up to 17 people); senior vehicle pass $45; next year's pass goes on sale Aug 15

Source: Annual Passes: Park Passes, Fees & Rules: Bureau of Parks and Lands: Maine DACF · Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (DACF) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Maryland

Entry

Day-use service charge at many parks; amounts vary by park

Pass

Annual Passport $75 MD / $100 out-of-state, up to 10 per vehicle; Golden Age Pass (62+) free entry, $10 fee; honors 4th-grade pass

Source: Annual Pass · Maryland Park Service (DNR) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Massachusetts

Entry

Parks free to enter; parking fee at many DCR sites, mostly in season (e.g. $5-$12 MA cars, $20-$40 out-of-state)

Pass

Annual parking pass $60, MA residents only; seniors 62+ lifetime pass $10; libraries lend passes free

Free 2026

• Jul 3–5 America 250 / July 4th weekend: free parking at all DCR properties · passed

Source: Purchase an Annual Parking Pass for Massachusetts State Parks | Mass.gov · Massachusetts DCR (Department of Conservation and Recreation) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Michigan

Entry

Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry; non-Michigan vehicles $12/day or $42/year

Pass

Resident Recreation Passport $15/year ($29 for two years) with plate renewal; no daily option for Michigan vehicles

Free 2026

• Feb 14–15 Winter Free Fishing Weekend: Recreation Passport not required · passed
• Jun 13–14 Summer Free Fishing / 'Three Free' Weekend: Recreation Passport not required · passed

Source: Recreation Passport · Michigan DNR Parks & Recreation · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Minnesota

Entry

Vehicle permit required at state parks and recreation areas

Free 2026

• Jan 19 Free Park Day (MLK Day) · passed
• Apr 25 Free Park Day (Saturday after Earth Day) · passed
• Jun 13 Free Park Day (National Get Outdoors Day) · passed
• Nov 27 Free Park Day (Friday after Thanksgiving)

Source: Free entrance days to all Minnesota state parks | Minnesota DNR · Minnesota DNR Parks and Trails · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Mississippi

Entry

Day-use entrance fee $0 to $4 per person depending on park; 5 and under free

Pass

Annual Entrance Pass $50 per person (in or out of state)

Source: State Park Fees | Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks · Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Missouri

Entry

No entrance fee; all state parks and historic sites free (some museum or tour fees)

Source: Missouri State Parks honors military service | Missouri Department of Natural Resources · Missouri State Parks (Missouri DNR) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Montana

Entry

Residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their vehicle registration pay no day-use entrance fee. Nonresidents: $8 per vehicle, $4 walk-in/bike/bus passenger.

Pass

Nonresident Entrance Pass: 12-month $50/vehicle or 7-day $35. Resident seniors 62+ and veterans get 50% off camping.

Source: STATE PARKS :: Fees & General Information | Montana FWP · Montana State Parks (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Nebraska

Entry

Every vehicle needs a park entry permit. Nebraska plates: $7 daily, $35 annual. Out-of-state plates: $14 daily, $70 annual.

Pass

Annual park entry permit $35 (NE vehicle), duplicate $17.50. Free lifetime permit for qualifying NE disabled veterans; $5 for active-duty military stationed in NE.

Free 2026

• May 16 Free Fishing and Park Entry Day (Saturday before Memorial Day weekend) · passed

Source: Park Pricing | Nebraska Game & Parks Commission · Nebraska Game and Parks Commission · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Nevada

Entry

Day-use entrance fee per vehicle varies by park, e.g. $5 NV vehicles / $10 non-NV at Beaver Dam; $2 per walk-in or bike-in.

Pass

Annual Day Use Permit $100; All Access $250; NV seniors 65+ $30; library card holders can borrow a free day-use pass; free pass for 5th graders.

Source: Annual Permits | State Parks · Nevada Division of State Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

New Hampshire

Entry

Day-use parks charge per person: adults $4 ($5 at high-use parks), youth 6-11 $2. Children 5 and under and NH residents 65+ get in free.

Pass

Season passes: Individual $60, Resident Family $105 (2 adults + 4 dependents), Non-Resident Family $120, Youth (6-11) $25. Free for NH residents 65+ and some veterans/military.

Source: NH State Parks - Buy or Renew a Season Pass · New Hampshire State Parks (NH Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

New Jersey

Entry

Daily per-vehicle entrance fees at listed parks from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (Island Beach charges $5 off-season). Many parks are free the rest of the year.

Pass

State Park Pass: $50 NJ residents, $75 nonresidents (+$3 fee); second car $25/$35. Free entry for NJ residents 62+ or disabled.

Source: State Park Pass - State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites · NJ State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites (NJDEP) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

New Mexico

Entry

Day use: NM residents $5, but free October 1 through April 30. Nonresidents $10. Federal passes are not accepted.

Pass

Annual Day-Use Pass (calendar year): $75 residents, $150 nonresidents. Free for NM veterans with 50%+ disability.

Free 2026

• Jun 14 New Mexico Day: free day use at all state parks for New Mexicans · passed

Source: Fees & Permits - State Parks · New Mexico State Parks Division (EMNRD) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

New York

Entry

Most state parks charge a vehicle use fee of $6 to $10 for day use.

Pass

Empire Pass $80/season (3-season $205, 5-season $320, lifetime $750). Free weekday entry for NY residents 62+; free for 4th graders via Every Kid Outdoors.

Source: The 2026 Empire Pass for Unlimited State Park Visits Is Now Available for Purchase - New York State Parks & Historic Sites · New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation · checked Oct 15, 2026.

North Carolina

Entry

Most state parks are free to enter year-round. Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake charge $10 per vehicle ($5 seniors/veterans) on weekends in Apr, May, Sep and daily Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Pass

Annual Pass for Reservoirs $70; Annual Pass $100 (also covers swim passes, boat rentals); with 4WD beach access $200.

Source: State Parks Reservation Rates and Activity Fees | NC State Parks · North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation · checked Oct 15, 2026.

North Dakota

Entry

All vehicles entering a state park must display an entrance permit year-round. Daily vehicle permit $7.

Pass

Annual vehicle permit $35; family (2 vehicles) $61.25; ND seniors 65+ $28; free lifetime pass for ND veterans 50%+ disabled and former POWs.

Source: Permits & Gift Cards | North Dakota Parks and Recreation · North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Ohio

Entry

Free entry to all 76 Ohio state parks.

Source: Ohio State Parks & Watercraft | Ohio Department of Natural Resources · Ohio State Parks (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Oklahoma

Entry

Parking pass required at 22 state parks: $10 per vehicle per day, $8 with an Oklahoma or tribal plate. Lodging and camping reservations include one vehicle. Other parks are not listed as charging.

Pass

Annual pass good at all 22 parks: $75, or $60 with an Oklahoma plate. Free for residents 62+ and spouses and for honorably discharged veterans. 50% off if totally disabled.

Source: New Parking Pass Program to Fund Oklahoma State Parks (Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department media room) · Oklahoma State Parks (Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Oregon

Entry

Day-use parking permit at fee parks: $10/day per vehicle for Oregon residents, $12 for non-residents. More than 150 parks waive the fee.

Pass

12-month parking permit: $60 resident, $75 non-resident. Free permits to borrow at 82 public libraries. Free Special Access Pass for veterans with a service-connected disability and foster families.

Free 2026

• Jun 6 State Parks Day: free day-use parking at fee parks, Oregon residents only · passed

Source: Day-use Parking Permits - Oregon State Parks · Oregon State Parks (Oregon Parks and Recreation Department) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Pennsylvania

Entry

Pennsylvania state parks do not charge an entrance fee.

Source: State Parks | Department of Conservation and Natural Resources| Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · Pennsylvania State Parks (DCNR) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Rhode Island

Entry

Parking fees at the eight state beaches, opening day in May through Labor Day. Resident daily rate: $6 weekdays, $7 weekends ($10/$15 at Misquamicut). Non-residents pay double.

Pass

Season beach parking pass: $30 resident, $60 non-resident, $15 resident senior, $30 non-resident senior. Linked to your license plate. On sale online January to August.

Source: RI State Beaches: Parking Passes | Rhode Island State Parks · Rhode Island State Parks (RIDEM) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

South Carolina

Entry

Parks charge admission. The ALL Park Passport gives unlimited entry for everyone in the holder's vehicle. Residents 65+, legally blind or 100% disabled get 35% off admission.

Pass

ALL Park Passport: $99/year, or $65 for seven days. Half price for SC seniors 65+, legally blind or 100% disabled residents, and SC National Guard.

Source: Park Passports | South Carolina Parks Official Site · South Carolina State Parks (SCPRT) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

South Dakota

Entry

Park entrance license required for each vehicle: daily $10 resident, $15 nonresident.

Pass

Annual license: $40 resident, $60 nonresident per vehicle; $90 resident transferable. Fourth graders get a free daily license coupon. Free lifetime license for qualifying disabled veterans.

Source: Park Entrance License | South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks · South Dakota State Parks (Game, Fish and Parks) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Tennessee

Entry

No access fee at any state park; all are free to enter. Some activities need permits or reservations.

Source: Frequently Asked Questions | Tennessee State Parks · Tennessee State Parks (TDEC) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Texas

Entry

Most parks charge an entry fee. Kids 12 and under always get in free.

Pass

Texas State Parks Pass: $70/year, free entry for the holder and guests. Free Parklands Passport for honorably discharged veterans; 50% off for seniors 65+.

Free 2026

• Nov 1 Texas State Parks Day: free entry at all state parks (reserve a Save the Day pass to guarantee entry)

Source: Park Passes — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department · Texas State Parks (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Utah

Entry

Day-use fee per private vehicle (up to 8 people), paid online at parkspass.utah.gov or at the entrance station or self-pay kiosk.

Pass

Resident-only annual day-use pass $125 ($65 seniors 65+), driver plus 7 passengers. Free Veterans Honor Pass for Utah veterans with service-connected disability.

Source: Park Passes | Utah State Parks · Utah State Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Vermont

Entry

Per-person day-use entry: $5 adults (14+), $2 children 4-13, free under 4.

Pass

Season pass $40 per person or $105 per vehicle. $2 Green Mountain Passport: lifetime free day use for residents 62+ and veterans.

Free 2026

• Jun 13–14 Vermont Days weekend: free entry to day-use areas at all 55 state parks · passed

Source: Fees and Passes | Vermont State Parks · Vermont State Parks (Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Virginia

Entry

Nearly all parks charge a per-car parking fee for entry (Natural Bridge and Southwest Virginia Museum charge per person). Some parks are free. Walk-ins and cyclists pay nothing.

Pass

Naturally Yours annual Passport $85 ($40 seniors 62+). Free disability and 100% disabled-veteran passports. Library nature backpacks include a free parking pass.

Free 2026

• Jan 1 New Year's Day (First Day Hikes): parking fees waived · passed
• Sep 26 National Public Lands Day: parking fees waived at most parks · passed

Free 2027

• Jan 1 New Year's Day (First Day Hikes): free at nearly all parks

Source: Annual Passes (Virginia State Parks) · Virginia State Parks (Dept. of Conservation and Recreation) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Washington

Entry

A Discover Pass is required for day-use parking: $10 for one day, or $45 for a year. Transaction fees may apply.

Pass

Annual Discover Pass $45 (two vehicles, one at a time). Resident discount passes for disabled veterans, foster parents, limited-income seniors and people with disabilities.

Free 2026

• Jan 1 New Year's Day · passed
• Jan 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day · passed
• Mar 9 Billy Frank Jr.'s birthday · passed
• Mar 19 State Parks' birthday · passed
• Apr 22 Earth Day · passed
• Jun 6–7 Free Fishing Weekend · passed
• Jun 19 Juneteenth · passed
• Aug 9 Smokey Bear's birthday · passed
• Sep 26 National Public Lands Day · passed
• Oct 10 World Mental Health Day · passed
• Nov 11 Veterans Day

Source: Discover Pass | Washington State Parks · Washington State Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

West Virginia

Not confirmed: we couldn't find the entry rules on the agency's own site as of Oct 15, 2026. The agency site doesn't state an entrance fee. Check with the park before you go.

Source: West Virginia State Parks · West Virginia State Parks · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Wisconsin

Entry

Vehicle admission pass required for every motor vehicle stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas. Daily: $13 WI plates, $3 WI 65+, $16 out-of-state.

Pass

Annual sticker $28 WI plates ($13 seniors 65+, $50 out-of-state). Library cardholders can borrow free daily passes. Disabled-veteran fee waivers available.

Free 2026

• Jun 6–7 Free Fun Weekend: state park admission, fishing licenses and trail passes waived · passed

Source: Vehicle Admission Passes | Wisconsin State Park System | Wisconsin DNR · Wisconsin State Park System (Wisconsin DNR) · checked Oct 15, 2026.

Wyoming

Entry

Parks: $7 per vehicle per day for residents, $12 for non-residents. Historic sites: $4 per adult for residents, $8 for non-residents; kids free.

Pass

Resident annual day-use pass $48 ($42 early-bird Dec 1-Feb 15); non-resident $96. Lifetime Veteran's Pass is free for residents 50%+ service-connected disabled.

Free 2026

• Jun 6 Free Fishing Day: day-use fees waived at parks with fishing (listed sites only) · passed

Source: Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails - Permits & Fees · Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails · checked Oct 15, 2026.