Free Admission Friday to National Parks In and Around El Paso in Texas and New Mexico

If you’ve ever wanted to sled down a stories-high gypsum sand dune or see El Capitan in all its glory, Friday, August 4, will be a good time to do it.

The National Parks Service is celebrating the 3rd anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act and admission to our national parks will be free.

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Which El Paso-Area National Parks?

Among the El Paso-area parks nature seekers won’t have to pay to get into this Friday, August 4, are Guadalupe Mountains National Park, White Sands National Monument, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Not All Fees

While entrance fees to the park itself will be waived, fees for things like camping, boat launches, transportation, and special activities and tours are not.

The no-cost entry is good Friday only.

You should also check each park's respective website to see if advance online reservations are needed to enter before piling into the car and making the drive.

Farther but Free

If you're up for a longer and farther road trip, the parks listed below are also participating in the free day. Most are in the 5 to 7-hour drive-time range, except for Fort Davis which is about 4 hours.

Texas

• Big Bend National Park
• Fort Davis National Historic Site

New Mexico

• Bandelier National Monument
• Capulin Volcano National Monument
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park
• Valles Caldera National Preserve

Future Free Admission Days

National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day are the next fee-free days of 2023.

• September 23 – National Public Lands Day
• November 11 – Veterans Day