In observance of Juneteenth, all U.S. national parks and forests will waive entrance fees, offering visitors free access to these public lands. Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021, commemorates the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in the United States.
The historical significance of the holiday dates back to June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation—more than two years after it was first issued by President Abraham Lincoln—effectively freeing the remaining enslaved people in the region.
Juneteenth is one of only seven days each year when admission fees are waived at national parks. National forests observe five such free-admission days annually, with Juneteenth among them.
In Southern California, prominent National Park Service sites offering free admission on June 19 include Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Channel Islands, Cabrillo National Monument, and Yosemite National Park, among others.
For those unable to visit on Juneteenth, three additional free-admission days remain in 2025: August 4, September 27, and November 11. The U.S. Forest Service will also offer free access on the last two of those dates.
While entrance fees are waived, other costs such as parking, special tours, and activities may still apply.
California residents interested in exploring state parks can take advantage of the California State Library Parks Pass. Available at public libraries statewide, the pass offers free access to more than 200 state parks every day of the year.
