National Park Week 2026: When admission is free to celebrate America's 250th
Trump launches ‘Freedom 250’ push for America’s 250th birthday
President Donald Trump is kicking off America’s monthslong birthday bash celebrating the 250th anniversary of the country's founding with a new nonpartisan organization dubbed Freedom 250 that will lead the administration's celebrations, Fox Digital learned.
The Department of Interior has released more information about National Park Week this year, which will celebrate the 110th birthday of the NPS alongside the 25th anniversary of America’s independence.
Here are the details:
National Park Week 2026
FILE - A National Park Service (NPS) sign at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, US, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Photographer: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Timeline:
The Department of the Interior announced National Park Week will take place Aug. 22–30, 2026.
Big picture view:
During National Park Week, parks across the country will host patriotic programs, guided tours, educational exhibits and family activities in celebration of the 110th birthday of the National Park Service and the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The week kicks off with National Junior Ranger Day, when young visitors can take part in hands-on activities, learn about America’s parks and earn their official Junior Ranger badges, the NPS said.
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Dig deeper:
On Aug. 25, the National Park Service’s birthday, U.S. residents can get free admission into parks that normally charge.
It is one of many days throughout the year where entrance fees are waived. Other days include:
- February 16: Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
- July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
- September 17: Constitution Day
- October 27: Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
- November 11: Veterans Day
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America 250 national park events
Big picture view:
Throughout the year, national parks will host hundreds of special programs, commemorations and exhibits tied to the founding of the United States, including events at many of the historic places where America’s story began, the Interior Department said.
Some other America 250 events include:
- Freedom Plane National Tour, taking original founding-era documents to museums across the country
- The U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle, better known as America’s tall ship, will sail to various cities and be open to the public at each stop
The Source: Information in this article was taken from a March 20, 2026, Department of Interior press release and from the National Park Service. Background information about national parks and America’s 250th was taken from previous FOX Television Station reportings. This story was reported from Detroit.