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Free Park Days in Tennessee
Fee-free days at national parks and national forests, Smokies parking tags, and entrance fees at Tennessee State Parks.
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Free days at national parks in Tennessee
Not published on nps.gov as of 14 Nov 2026. 2026 dates:
- 2026-02-16 Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
- 2026-05-25 Memorial Day
- 2026-06-14 Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
- 2026-07-03 to 2026-07-05 Independence Day weekend
- 2026-08-25 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- 2026-09-17 Constitution Day
- 2026-10-27 Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
- 2026-11-11 Veterans Day
Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days is for US citizens and residents only.
Free days in national forests
Not published on fs.usda.gov as of 14 Nov 2026. 2026 dates:
- 2026-01-19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- 2026-02-16 Presidents' Day
- 2026-05-25 Memorial Day
- 2026-06-06 National Trails Day
- 2026-06-13 National Get Outdoors Day
- 2026-07-04 Independence Day
- 2026-09-17 Constitution Day
- 2026-09-26 National Public Lands Day
- 2026-10-27 Theodore Roosevelt's Birthday
- 2026-11-11 Veterans Day
The Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites. Participation by concession-operated sites may vary.
Smokies parking tags and state park fees
A parking tag is required to park anywhere within the boundaries of the Smokies for longer than 15 minutes. Tags are not location-specific; physical tags must be displayed. Frontcountry campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag. If parked elsewhere in the park, a parking tag is required. While the parking tag is not an entrance fee, the park honors the Free Entrance Days and parking tags will not be required on those dates.
There is no access fee charged for any state park. All state parks in Tennessee are free to enter.
Questions about free park days in Tennessee
Are Tennessee State Parks free?
There is no access fee charged for any state park. All state parks in Tennessee are free to enter.
Do I need a parking tag to camp in the Smokies?
Frontcountry campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag. If parked elsewhere in the park, a parking tag is required.
How much is a Smokies parking tag?
$5 a day, $15 a week or $40 a year.
What are the 2027 national park free days?
Not published on nps.gov as of 14 Nov 2026.
Do free days cover camping fees?
No. Fee-free days waive entrance or day-use fees, not campsite fees.