National parks are free October 27, and these three West Coast parks each need a different plan
The best deal in the national park system comes around eight times a year, and the next one lands on a Tuesday. On October 27, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, entrance fees are waived at national parks — and Washington, Oregon, and California each have one that’s worth skipping work for.
One catch before you go: starting in 2026, fee-free days apply to U.S. citizens and residents only. Camping, reservations, and special permits still cost money.
Psst — we made you a West Coast Adventure Map. Nearly 1,900 of our favorite spots, already pinned, ready to load into Google Maps in two clicks — grab it here.
📍 GET THE ULTIMATE PNW MAP 🗺️
Get our curated list of the best adventures, things to do, and places to grab a brew loaded onto your maps with just two clicks!
✅ Waterfalls ✅ Hikes ✅ Viewpoints
✅ Craft breweries ✅ National Parks ✅ 1400+ Pins
Yosemite National Park, California: save $35 and walk the valley
Yosemite normally runs $35 per vehicle, good for seven days, so the free day saves you real money on a park this big. The Lower Yosemite Fall Trail is a 1-mile loop that takes about 30 minutes and rates as easy.
Here’s the honest part: the park says the fall is often dry from late July or August through October. Go for the walk under those cliffs, not for a waterfall, and you won’t be disappointed.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon: the clock is running
This is the one with a deadline. Rim Drive closes November 1 or earlier if snow arrives, and the park’s road status page is the only thing you should trust on the morning of your drive.
Entry is $30 per vehicle at the summer rate, which runs through October 31, and the park takes cards or digital wallets only — no cash. Cleetwood Cove, the one trail down to the water, is closed for the season, so plan on rim views.
Don’t count on hiking Garfield Peak, either; snow typically covers that trail from October on. We wrote up what is closed at Crater Lake and what still delivers the view, and a pullout on Rim Drive does the job just fine.
Olympic National Park, Washington: the rain forest is the move
My pick for October 27 is the Hoh Rain Forest, because late October is exactly when a rain forest should look its best. Olympic charges $30 per vehicle, good for seven days. The Hall of Mosses is a 0.8-mile loop with about 100 feet of elevation gain, and it’s rated easy.
Want more? The Spruce Nature Trail adds a 1.2-mile loop through old and new growth forest. Heads up that the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center is generally open Friday through Sunday in fall, so a Tuesday visit means walking in without it.
Our guide to Washington’s rainiest forest has four hikes to choose from.
Can’t make the 27th?
The next fee-free day is Veterans Day, November 11. If neither works, an America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at all three parks, though not reservation requirements or fees. Together, the three entrance fees add up to $95.
So which park gets your free day? Tell us in the comments.
Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.
Rules and fees change — always confirm current requirements before you go.
