Veterans Day 2026: free admission for veterans and military

In short

Veterans Day 2026: what's free

• Who: The national park free day is for US citizens and residents of all ages, not only veterans. Visitors from abroad pay the normal entrance fee plus any nonresident fee. Free offers at museums and attractions are usually for veterans and service members with ID; who qualifies differs from place to place.
• What's free: Entrance fees at every National Park Service site that normally charges one. Other fees, such as timed-entry or reservation fees, camping and tours, may still apply.
• How: Nothing to book for the park free day: just go (if a park requires timed entry, the reservation is still needed). Veterans who want free entry on every other day can get the free Military Lifetime Pass, digitally on Recreation.gov after verifying with ID.me, or as a physical pass at a federal recreation site. At museums and attractions, bring military ID, a VA card or a DD-214.

On Free Tickets

Free on Wed 11 Nov

Nationwide

More free entry on Veterans Day

• National parks (National Park Service) (All fee-charging national park sites, nationwide): Entrance fees are waived on 11 Nov 2026 for US citizens and residents. Visitors from abroad pay as usual, and timed-entry or reservation fees may still apply.
• National wildlife refuges (US Fish & Wildlife Service) (All Fish & Wildlife Service lands that charge an entrance fee, nationwide): Free admission on 11 Nov 2026. Concessionaire and permit fees (for example hunting, fishing or special tours) still apply. The page does not limit this to US residents.
• Bureau of Land Management sites (BLM visitor centers, day-use areas and National Conservation Lands that charge fees, nationwide): Standard amenity and day-use fees are waived for US residents on 11 Nov 2026. Camping, cabins, group day use and special permits are still charged.
• National forests and grasslands (US Forest Service) (Most Forest Service day-use sites, nationwide): Veterans Day, 11 Nov 2026, is a Forest Service fee-free day at most day-use sites. Whether concession-run sites take part varies.
• Army Corps of Engineers lakes and recreation areas (All Corps-managed recreation areas, nationwide): All day-use fees, including boat ramps and swim beaches, are waived for all visitors on 11 Nov 2026. Camping and group shelters are still charged.
• Military Lifetime Pass (America the Beautiful) (Federal recreation sites of the NPS, Forest Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, BLM, Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers): A free pass for life for veterans (including National Guard and Reserve) and Gold Star Family members. It covers entrance and standard day-use fees every day, not just on Veterans Day. Get it on Recreation.gov after verifying with ID.me, or at a federal recreation site.
• George Washington's Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, Virginia (south of Washington, DC)): Free admission on 11 Nov 2026 for active-duty, former and retired military. Collect the free ticket on arrival; family members and guests pay. Open 9am-4pm.
• American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (Yorktown, Virginia): Free on 11 Nov 2026 for veterans and for active-duty, reserve and retired military, plus up to three direct family members, with military ID. There is a Veterans Day ceremony with an artillery salute at 11:12am.
• Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, California): Free on 11 Nov 2026 (9am-6pm) for veterans and active military with service ID. Advance online reservations are required, there are no walk-ups and capacity is limited. Reservations were not open yet on 28 Oct.
• Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum (Abilene, Kansas): Museum admission is free for all visitors on Veterans Day, 11 Nov 2026, 9am-4:30pm CST.
• Washington State Parks (Discover Pass free day) (Washington state parks and state DNR and WDFW lands): No Discover Pass is needed to park on 11 Nov 2026, one of the state's 12 free days. Sno-Park permits are still required.

FAQ

Veterans Day 2026: common questions

Sources

Where this comes from

• nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm — “Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only.”
• recreation.gov/interagency-pass/types/military-lifetime — “A free Digital America the Beautiful Pass for Gold Star Family members and veterans.”
• doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-announces-modernized-more-affordable-national-park-access — “The Department also highlighted resident-only patriotic fee-free days for 2026”
• nps.gov/aboutus/nonresident-fees.htm — “Beginning in 2026, fee free days at national parks will only be for U.S. residents. Non-U.S. residents will have to pay the entrance fee and nonresident fee as normal.”
• recreation.gov/interagency-pass/types/military-annual — “Current members of the U.S. military and their dependents”
• corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/employees/cecwon/pdfs/26Jan27-CY26FeeFree.pdf — “all day use fees for all visitors to Corps managed recreation areas will be waived on the dates listed above. This waiver covers boat launch ramp and swim beach fees.”
• fws.gov/event/fee-free-day-veterans-day-0 — “all national wildlife refuges and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands that normally charge an entrance fee offer free admission November 11, 2026.”
• blm.gov/policy/ib-2026-002 — “In 2026, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will waive standard amenity recreation fees for U.S. residents on:”
• fs.usda.gov/visit/passes-permits — “The Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by concession-operated sites may vary.”
• mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/calendar/events/mount-vernon-salutes-veterans — “In honor of our nation's veterans, Mount Vernon admits FREE all active duty, former, or retired military personnel on Veterans Day.”
• jyfmuseums.org/events/programs-activities/veterans-day — “Jamestown Settlement for veteran, active duty, reserve and retired military personnel and up to three direct family members with military identification on Veterans Day, November 11.”
• aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/veterans_day/ — “FREE for veterans, military personnel with service ID. Otherwise, general admission, free for Aquarium members. Advance reservations required. Limited capacity.”
• eisenhowerlibrary.gov/events/veterans-day-free-museum-admission-0 — “Enjoy free museum admission on Veterans Day at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum!”
• parks.wa.gov/news/2025/mark-your-calendars-no-discover-pass-required-these-2026-days — “On these free days, a Discover Pass is not required to park at Washington state parks or on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources”
• georgiaaquarium.org/military-appreciation-days/ — “On these special dates, we offer free admission to all current and former members of the United States Armed Forces”
• high.org/special-offers/ — “the High Museum of Art offers free admission for all active and veteran military personnel, along with one guest, during regular admission hours.”
• worldofcoca-cola.com/plan-your-visit/special-offers — “World of Coca-Cola extends our gratitude to active duty, reserve, veterans, and retired members of the US Armed Forces by offering 1 free ticket for admissions.”
• gardnermuseum.org/visit — “providing them with free admission to the Museum for themselves and up to four family members.”
• mfa.org/visit/free-and-discounted-admission — “All United States active duty military and veterans can receive free admission tickets for themselves and up to 5 guests in person”
• mos.org/visit/ways-to-save — “On November 11, we are pleased to offer veterans complimentary admission to our Exhibit Halls.”
• ussconstitutionmuseum.org/visit/ways-to-save/ — “Free admission to all active and retired military members with photo I.D.”
• adlerplanetarium.org/tickets/ — “Active-duty U.S. military, national guard, reserve, and military veteran personnel and their families receive up to five complimentary Museum Entry admissions.”
• artic.edu/visit/free-admission-opportunities — “As part of the Blue Star Museums program, active-duty service members receive free admission all year long.”
• brookfieldzoo.org/discounts-and-free-days — “The Zoo provides free admission to all active, reservist and veterans of the military.”
• dusablemuseum.org/visitor/ — “All Military Duty Personnel, all Branches, receives complimentary admission.”
• fieldmuseum.org/landing/tickets-and-pricing — “General Admission is complimentary for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and Illinois State Gold Star ID cardholders.”
• griffinmsi.org/pricing — “Always free United States military active-duty personnel and veterans”
• mcachicago.org/visit — “Veterans and active members of the military, police, and fire departments with ID.”
• sheddaquarium.org/plan-a-visit/get-tickets/discounts-and-free-hours — “Active-duty U.S. military personnel receive year-round free general admission with proper ID.”
• nhm.org/free-hours-and-admission — “Free admission for veterans and active military, L.A. County residents (M–F, 3–5 pm) , and California teachers is now available to reserve online.”
• amnh.org/plan-your-visit — “At other times of the year, free general admission is provided to members of the U.S. military and one guest.”
• intrepidmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/visitor-information/tickets — “U.S. military and veterans receive free admission to the Museum with valid identification, thanks to the generous support of Bank of America.”
• 911memorial.org/visit/visit-museum-1 — “Active/Retired U.S. Military and Veterans FREE (With valid ID)”
• frick.org/tickets/discounted_free — “The Frick grants free admission to active members of the U.S. military, with valid ID.”
• moma.org/visit/discounts — “MoMA offers active US Military members one free admission for themselves and up to five additional tickets for family members with valid ID.”
• whitney.org/visit/free-admission — “Free admission is available to active members and veterans of the United States military with valid ID, and to military families with dependent cards.”
• seaworld.com/orlando/tickets/military-discount/active-duty/ — “one complimentary admission per year to either SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens®, or Sesame Place® for military personnel and as many as three direct dependents.”
• seaworld.com/san-antonio/tickets/military-discount/active-duty/ — “one complimentary admission per year to either Aquatica San Antonio®, SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens® or Sesame Place® for military personnel and as many as three direct dependents.”
• seaworld.com/san-diego/tickets/military-discount-active/ — “This offer extends to the service member and up to three direct dependents for a single visit, available for redemption through Dec. 31, 2026.”
• seaworld.com/san-diego/tickets/military-discount-veteran/ — “former military personnel and up to three friends or family members may enjoy one-time complimentary admission to SeaWorld® San Diego.”
• calacademy.org/free-reduced-admission — “all veteran, retired, and active-duty military personnel enjoy free Daytime Admission every Veterans Day and during Fleet Week.”
• gggp.org/tickets/ — “A person who is currently serving in the active military, naval, air, or space service, or who has completed such service”
• famsf.org/visit/free-reduced-admission — “All veterans and active military personnel are offered free general admission tickets and discounted special exhibition tickets.”
• buschgardens.com/tampa/tickets/military-discount/ — “one (1) complimentary admission per year to either Busch Gardens®, SeaWorld® or Sesame Place® Philadelphia for military personnel and as many as three (3) direct dependents.”
• colonialwilliamsburg.org/visit/through-the-seasons/veterans-day-weekend/ — “Colonial Williamsburg is offering FREE admission during Veterans Day week, Friday through Wednesday November 6-11, to all active duty Military, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, National Guardsmen and their immediate dependents.”
• legoland.com/florida/deals/military-offers/ — “offering the following exclusive specials for United States Military, Veterans, Law Enforcement officers, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, EMTs, firefighters, and their families.”

Checked Wednesday, 28 October 2026.