National parks waive entrance fees on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, for U.S. residents
Pinnacles, Yosemite and Muir Woods are among the nearby parks that normally charge $15 to $35. Reservation and parking fees still apply.
The National Park Service will waive entrance fees at every park that charges one on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, according to the park service's passes page and an Interior Department announcement. The free day applies to U.S. citizens and residents. The park service says other charges, such as timed-entry, reservation, parking or camping fees, still apply.
For San Jose residents, the savings at the closest fee-charging parks, based on each park's posted rates: Pinnacles National Park, south of Hollister, normally charges $30 per private vehicle. Yosemite charges $35 per vehicle. Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County charges $15 per adult 16 and older, but visitors still need a separate paid parking or shuttle reservation.
The 2026 free days are limited to Americans under a new Interior Department policy. Under the same policy, visitors who are not U.S. residents pay an extra $100 per person at 11 of the most-visited parks, including Yosemite, and an annual America the Beautiful pass costs $80 for residents and $250 for nonresidents.
Veterans and Gold Star families, the relatives of service members who died in military service, can get a free pass that covers entrance fees year-round, the park service says.
Source: National Park Service passes page, Interior Department announcement and fee pages for Pinnacles, Yosemite and Muir Woods, checked Nov. 2, 2026.