Free Entrance Days at Virginia's National Parks in 2021: Your Guide to Seven Must-Visit Sites
Experience the stunning beauty of Virginia’s National Parks at no entrance cost during these designated fee-free days in 2021.*
- Monday, January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Saturday, April 17: First Day of National Park Week
- Wednesday, August 4: Great American Outdoors Act Anniversary
- Wednesday, August 25: National Park Service Anniversary
- Saturday, September 25: National Public Lands Day
- Monday, November 11: Veterans Day
*Fee waivers cover entrance fees, commercial tours, and transportation fees. Reservations, camping, other tours, concessions, and third-party fees are not included unless specified.
**Due to COVID-19, many parks had safety protocols and restrictions. Always check individual park websites for current rules before visiting.
While several parks offer free access year-round, these seven typically charge nominal entrance fees—waived on fee-free days.
Prince William Forest Park
Photo Credit: Sean Carr
Located just 35 minutes from Washington, D.C., this 15,000+ acre park features pristine forests, ponds, and streams. Explore historic sites from WWII covert training, scenic hiking and biking trails, campgrounds, and cabin rentals for immersive overnight stays.
Shenandoah National Park
Photo Credit: Cameron Davidson
Boasting over 500 miles of trails—101 miles of the Appalachian Trail—Shenandoah attracts global hikers with waterfalls, summits, and rugged paths. Drive the 105-mile Skyline Drive, a National Scenic Byway with 75+ overlooks. Lodging options include cabins, campgrounds, and resorts for unforgettable sunrises and sunsets.
Colonial National Historical Park
Photo Credit: Beth Furgurson
Encompassing Jamestown—America’s first permanent English settlement—this park highlights Virginia’s colonial history. Visit Cape Henry Memorial (first 1607 landing site), Green Spring (17th-century plantation), and Yorktown Battlefield (1781 Revolutionary War finale) along the scenic Colonial Parkway.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Stretching 37 miles from Virginia to Maryland, Assateague offers pristine beaches, maritime forests, wild ponies, and rare migratory birds. As one of the U.S.’s few intact barrier islands, it preserves a unique coastal ecosystem.
Great Falls Park (George Washington Memorial Parkway)
Note: Trails are open; Visitor Center was closed at time of writing.
Just 15 miles from D.C., this 800-acre park showcases dramatic Potomac River waterfalls tumbling over jagged rocks—perfect for hiking and photography.
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Relive the Civil War’s pivotal Battles of Bull Run through interactive maps, exhibits, relics, and a “Stonewall” Jackson monument. Opt for expert-led tours or self-guided drives.
Petersburg National Battlefield
Thirty minutes south of Richmond, this site commemorates the Confederacy’s nine-and-a-half-month siege by Ulysses S. Grant, culminating in Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox—ending the Civil War.
Seize these six 2021 fee-free days to explore Virginia’s National Parks. Visit the National Park Service for details and planning.
