2026 Fee-Free Days

A list of fee-free days at state parks, national forests, national parks and other public lands for 2026.

Fee-free days for 2026 at state parks, national forests, national parks and other public lands have been announced. These are dates where you can park at trailheads or recreation facilities without paying an entry fee or having to display a pass. Consult the list below to find out which public lands are free on which days.

WTA encourages hikers to purchase the Northwest Forest Pass and Discover Pass. Revenue from these passes helps fund vital services at trailheads, recreational facilities and parks across the state. Fee-free days, however, are a great way to introduce new people to public lands and trails and provides opportunities for those who cannot afford to purchase a pass.

Not sure what pass you need on the other days of the year? Take a look at our passes and permits resource page.

FEDERAL AND STATE FEE-FREE DAYS FOR 2026

January 1 (Thursday) — First Day Hikes & New Year’s Day
Washington State Parks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

January 19 (Monday) — Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Washington State Parks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
U.S. Forest Service

February 16 (Monday) — Presidents’ Day
U.S. Forest Service
National Park Service
Bureau of Land Management

March 9 (Monday) — Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday
Washington State Parks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

March 19 (Thursday) — Washington State Parks' birthday
Washington State Parks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

April 22 (Wednesday) — Earth Day
Washington State Parks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

May 25 (Monday) — Memorial Day
U.S. Forest Service
National Park Service
Bureau of Land Management

June 6, 7 (Saturday, Sunday) — Free Fishing Weekend
Washington State Parks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

June 13 (Saturday) — National Get Outdoors Day
U.S. Forest Service

June 14 (Sunday) — Flag Day
National Park Service
Bureau of Land Management

June 19 (Friday) — Juneteenth
Washington State Parks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

July 3–5 (Friday–Sunday) — Independence Day weekend
National Park Service
Bureau of Land Management

July 4 (Saturday) — Independence Day
U.S. Forest Service

August 9 (Sunday) — Smokey Bear's birthday
Washington State Parks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

August 25 (Tuesday) — National Park Service’s 110th birthday
National Park Service

September 17 (Thursday) — Constitution Day
U.S. Forest Service
National Park Service
Bureau of Land Management

September 26 (Saturday) — National Public Lands Day
Washington State Parks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
U.S. Forest Service

October 10 (Saturday) — World Mental Health Day
Washington State Parks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

October 27 (Tuesday) — Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
U.S. Forest Service
National Park Service
Bureau of Land Management

November 11 (Wednesday) — Veterans Day
Washington State Parks
Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
U.S. Forest Service
National Park Service
Bureau of Land Management