U.S. National Parks to waive entrance fees on August 25

On August 25, entrance fees to national parks across the United States will be waived to celebrate National Park Week and the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service. The waiver applies to all 433 national park sites, including 17 sites in Colorado, though it will only apply to U.S. residents starting in 2026 and does not cover specific permits or concessionaire fees.

This celebration occurs as the parks face significant challenges. High visitation numbers are causing overcrowding, noise, and long lines at popular sites, which experts suggest can erode the traditional park experience. Increased foot traffic is also straining aging infrastructure, contributing to a deferred maintenance backlog exceeding $23 billion.

Environmental and policy concerns also persist. While climate change is cited as a primary threat to ecosystems, recent federal moves have sought to open public lands to extractive industries, logging, and border wall construction. Additionally, the removal of pandemic-era timed reservation systems—driven by pressure from local gateway communities seeking to maintain tourism revenue—has led to increased congestion in many areas.