Washington DC - Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon: The National Parks Association manages a total of 423 protected areas in the US. And you can get in for free on special days in 2023.

Of the US' National Parks, which include memorials, coastal regions, and recreational areas, 115 cost entry.

Visitors usually pay between $5 and $35 to explore famous sights such as the Grand Canyon ($20-35) or Yellowstone Park ($25).

But according to an announcement from the US National Park Service (NPS), visitors can enjoy free admission to parks on these five days in 2023:

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• January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• April 22: First day of National Park Week)
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 23: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

On most other days, many of the 418 major sites run by the NPS will be charging entrance fees. You may still need to pay fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation and special tours, however.

The NPS website gives a good overview of all participating parks, with links to information on operating hours and event schedules.

If you're planning a trip to the Grand Canyon National Park, the best times are May and October, when temperatures are more moderate compared with the torrid summertime heat of northern Arizona.

No matter what time of year, as the Park Service says, "National parks are America’s best idea."