Seven days during 2025 are Free Entrance Days in U.S. National Parks!
The weather is a bit chilly in Minnesota to get outside at a National Park this go-around, but there National Parks across the country are included in Free Entrance Days!
For 2025, these days include:
- January 9: National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter Jr.
- January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 19: First day of National Park Week
- June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- September 27: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
National Parks have free admission on these days during the year, but of the 6 National Parks in Minnesota, none have regular entrance fees!
The same is true for the neighboring states of Wisconsin and North Dakota, but in South Dakota Badlands National Park does charge a fee – except on this special day, of course!
It’s still is a great time to hit a park and these are what you’ll find in Minnesota:
Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park is accessible only by water along the Canadian border. Visitors enter by motorboat, canoe, kayak and sailboat for day trips or camping within the park. Check out Kristi’s Thrifty Minnesota post all about her visit to the park.
Mississippi National River & Recreation Area
Mississippi National River & Recreation Area is a 72 mile long river park from Dayton to Hastings. A few of the many worthwhile stops along the route including hiking, biking and fishing at Coon Rapids Regional Park and Hidden Falls-Crosby Farm Regional Park.
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
The Minnesota portion of the St. Croix River runs from St. Croix State Park, north of Pine City, to where the St. Croix meets the Mississippi River at Hastings. In addition to five particularly gorgeous state parks, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway has numerous regional and city parks as well as primitive National Park Service campsites along the shore.
Pipestone National Monument
The American Indian tradition of quarrying pipestone to make into sacred pipes and other items is still practiced today at Pipestone National Monument, making it the only site in the National Park System where resources can be removed from the grounds. Visitors can tour the grounds to see the 56 active quarry pits, as well as the native tallgrass prairie, quartzite rock formations and Winnewissa Falls.
North Country National Scenic Trail
Once complete, the North Country National Scenic Trail will be the longest continuous hiking trail in the United States. Currently, Minnesota’s portion includes the Superior Hiking Trail along the North Shore of Lake Superior, open for backcountry camping as well as day hikes between access points with parking.
Grand Portage National Monument
On the northeast tip of Minnesota overlooking Lake Superior, Grand Portage National Monument is a living history site. Volunteers and park staff in period attire reenact and describe the site’s importance to the French-Canadian fur trade of the early 1800s, and to the Indians who initially guided those voyageurs based on their centuries of experience.
Are you planning to head to a National Park in Minnesota this weekend? Let us know in the comments below!
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Hannah is a married mom of 3 kiddos in the Twin Cities. Born and raised here in MN, she loves finding deals and special events to share with others.
Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading books, going on road trips up north, singing along with the radio and finding new thrift stores to shop! Hannah is also a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and is always on the lookout for more sensory friendly opportunities in the Twin Cities.
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