There are many incredible parks within driving distance of San Francisco. From major national parks like Yosemite to lesser-known areas that still boast incredible views, it’s easy to escape to nature near SF. If you’ve been wanting to explore a national park in California, this weekend is the perfect time, as all the national parks in the country will be free for one day.
National Parks free entrance days
Currently, over 100 national parks charge entrance fees, and for few select days the entrance fees are waved for all parks. Memorial Day is one of the rare free entrance days, perfect for kicking off summer with a day in a scenic national park. The free entrance day applies to all National Park Service Sites, which include parks like the Golden Gate Recreational Area and Point Reyes National Seashore.
The free entrance days do not waive any other fees, such as for reservations or parking, and each national park will have different policies; we recommend checking online before heading out.
Check out the remaining free days for 2026:
- 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
National Park Service Sites near San Francisco
Muir Woods is one of the closest National Park sites to San Francisco that will have a free entrance day, ideal for visiting this Monday. The national monument is known for its beautiful forest and is only 40 minutes from the city.
Other major parks like Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon are longer drives, but great for weekend trips from San Francisco.You can find more National Park Service Sites in the Bay Area here.
