Aug 24, 2026 - Things to Do

Colorado's national parks waive fees Tuesday

Alayna Alvarez

A photo of people standing on a rocky overlook with grassy mountains in the backdrop. — Visitors check out the view from Forest Canyon Overlook in Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo: Patrick Traylor/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

If you're looking for an excuse to play hooky Tuesday, Uncle Sam's got you covered.

The big picture: Entrance fees at national parks, monuments and historic sites will be waived for the day to celebrate the National Park Service's 110th birthday.

By the numbers: Colorado is home to four national parks — Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde — plus 13 other national historic sites, trails, monuments and recreation areas.

All 17 will be free to visit Tuesday.

Yes, but: Check conditions before heading out, particularly for trail and road closures.

Rocky Mountain National Park, for example, is closing numerous trails this week as crews work to restore habitat for the threatened greenback cutthroat trout.

Zoom out: Tuesday's fee-free day is part of National Park Week, a weeklong celebration "of all things 'national parks.'"

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Colorado's national parks waive fees Tuesday

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