Fall is considered the best time to visit many US National Parks for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons is the weather, as the temperatures are generally cooler and more comfortable for hiking and other outdoor activities. Additionally, the fall season brings about beautiful changes in the foliage, creating a picturesque and colorful landscape. The fall season also tends to be less crowded than the summer, allowing for a more peaceful and serene experience. The fall season is also a perfect time for wildlife watching as it's mating, migration, and feeding time.

Some National Parks also offer specific fall activities such as leaf-peeping tours, campfire programs, and ranger-led hikes that take advantage of the unique qualities of the season. Overall, the fall season offers a combination of comfortable weather, stunning natural beauty, and a lower volume of visitors, making it an ideal time to visit many US National Parks.

Not to mention that THREE of the five free US National Park days happen in the fall!

Why visit US National Parks on free days?

Cost savings - Visiting a national park can be expensive, especially if you are planning to visit multiple parks. Free days allow you to visit a park without having to pay the entrance fee, saving you money.

Accessibility - National parks can be expensive for some families, and free days make it easier for everyone to visit and enjoy the natural beauty of these places.

Education - National parks offer a unique opportunity to learn about the history and natural resources of the United States. Free days can encourage more people to visit and learn about these important places.

Recreational opportunities - National parks offer a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and more. Free days allow more people to take advantage of these opportunities and enjoy the great outdoors.

Give back - Many people find that this is the perfect time to give back to the NPS and volunteer their time - cleaning up trash, helping with trails, or making improvements to the park. Contact your local park to see how you can lend a hand.

Why are US National Parks so important?

US national parks are important for a variety of reasons:

1. Conservation - National parks protect and preserve some of the most beautiful and important natural resources in the United States. These include forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. By preserving these resources, national parks help to ensure that future generations can enjoy them as well.

2. Educational opportunities - National parks offer a unique opportunity to learn about the history and natural resources of the United States. Many parks have visitor centers, ranger-led programs, and other educational resources that help visitors learn about the park and its history.

3. Recreational opportunities - National parks offer a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and more. These activities allow people to get outside, enjoy the natural beauty of the parks, and get some exercise.

4. Economic benefits - National parks also provide economic benefits to the local communities that surround them. Many parks have lodges, restaurants, and other amenities that provide employment and generate income for the local economy.

5. Cultural significance - Many national parks have cultural and historical significance as well. They may contain artifacts, structures, or landscapes that are important to the history and culture of the United States.

What days can I get into US National Parks for free?

• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act

• September 23: National Public Lands Day

• November 11: Veterans Day

Which US National Parks can I visit on free days?

These are just a few of the 400 federal lands you can visit on free entrance days:

Alaska
Denali National Park & Preserve

Arizona
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Grand Canyon National Park
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Petrified Forest National Park
Pipe Spring National Monument
Saguaro National Park
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Tonto National Monument
Tumacácori National Historical Park
Tuzigoot National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Wupatki National Monument

Arkansas
Fort Smith National Historic Site

California
Cabrillo National Monument
Death Valley National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lava Beds National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument
Pinnacles National Park
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Yosemite National Park

Colorado
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Colorado National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Hovenweep National Monument
Mesa Verde National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park

Florida
Canaveral National Seashore
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Dry Tortugas National Park
Everglades National Park
Gulf Islands National Seashore

Georgia
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Fort Pulaski National Monument
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Hawai'i
Haleakalā National Park
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Idaho
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
Yellowstone National Park

Maine
Acadia National Park

Maryland
Antietam National Battlefield
Assateague Island National Seashore
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Massachusetts
Adams National Historical Park
Cape Cod National Seashore

Michigan
Isle Royale National Park
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Minnesota
Pipestone National Monument

Mississippi
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Vicksburg National Military Park

Missouri
Gateway Arch National Park (formerly Jefferson National Expansion Memorial)
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Montana
Glacier National Park
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Yellowstone National Park

Nevada
Death Valley National Park
Lake Mead National Recreation Area

New Hampshire
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park

New Jersey
Thomas Edison National Historical Park

New Mexico
Bandelier National Monument
Capulin Volcano National Monument
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Valles Caldera National Preserve
White Sands National Park

New York
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

North Carolina
Wright Brothers National Memorial

North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Ohio
James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial

Oklahoma
Fort Smith National Historic Site

Oregon
Crater Lake National Park
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Puerto Rico
San Juan National Historic Site

South Carolina
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

South Dakota
Badlands National Park

Tennessee
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Texas
Big Bend National Park
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Padre Island National Seashore

Utah
Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Golden Spike National Historical Park
Hovenweep National Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument
Zion National Park

Virgin Islands
Christiansted National Historic Site

Virginia
Assateague Island National Seashore
Colonial National Historical Park
George Washington Memorial Parkway's Great Falls Park
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Prince William Forest Park
Shenandoah National Park

Washington
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Mount Rainier National Park
Olympic National Park

West Virginia
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Wyoming
Devils Tower National Monument
Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park

Bring Along GyPSy Guide On Your Next National Park Trip!

A GyPSy Guide tour is the perfect choice for any national parks trip because it provides a comprehensive, flexible, and cost-effective way to explore the parks. Whether you're traveling alone or with a group, a GyPSy Guide tour will enhance your experience and help you get the most out of your visit.

1. Self-guided audio tours: GyPSy Guide tours provide self-guided audio tours that allow visitors to explore the parks at their own pace. This means that visitors can spend as much time as they like at each location, without feeling rushed.

2. Comprehensive commentary: The audio tours provide a comprehensive commentary on the history, geology, and culture of the parks. This commentary is both informative and entertaining, making it ideal for visitors of all ages.

3. GPS-enabled app: The tours are GPS-enabled, which means that visitors don't have to worry about getting lost or missing important locations. The app provides turn-by-turn directions, ensuring that visitors can navigate the parks with ease.

4. Flexibility and customization: Visitors can customize their tours to suit their interests and preferences. The app provides suggestions for places to stop and explore, but visitors can choose which locations to visit and how much time to spend at each one.

5. Cost-effective: GyPSy Guide tours are cost-effective, as they provide a comprehensive tour at a fraction of the cost of a private tour guide. Visitors can enjoy a high-quality tour without breaking the bank.

Find a GyPSy Guide tour for places like Utah’s Mighty 5, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Great Smokies, and many many more!

We have loved GyPSy Guides since 2018 and look forward to using them every time we visit a new area, and now we are a GyPSy affiliate! This means when you use our links to purchase a guide we get a small commission with no extra cost to you. Thank you for using our links!