Texans planning a trip to one of the state's national parks can skip the entrance fee on Tuesday, Oct. 27, one of the dates this year when the National Park Service waives admission at every site that normally charges it.
The agency marks the day as Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. Its fee-free schedule says all park service sites that charge an entrance fee will admit visitors at no cost, though other fees, including timed-entry or reservation fees, may still apply.
There is a change from past years. Starting in 2026, the free days are limited to U.S. citizens and residents, according to the park service. Visitors from other countries pay the regular entrance fee plus any nonresident fees that apply.
What it saves in Texas
The savings vary by park. Among the Texas sites that charge admission:
- Big Bend National Park sells standard passes for $15 to $30, good for seven days.
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park charges $10 per person age 16 and older, good for up to seven consecutive days.
- Padre Island National Seashore sells a one-day vehicle pass for $10 and seven-day passes from $15 to $25. Its fee page notes that camping and boat ramp fees are separate from entrance passes.
