Californians can visit nine national parks without paying entrance fees from August 22 through August 30. The National Park Service celebrates its 110th birthday on August 25, waiving fees nationwide for U.S. citizens and residents.
California has more national parks than any other state. This makes the fee-free week a good chance to explore places like Yosemite’s granite cliffs or Joshua Tree’s quiet desert.
Michael McNaught, CEO of RVezy, encourages visitors to use the full nine days to explore trails, watch sunsets, and enjoy starry skies away from city lights. Campsites inside popular parks often fill months in advance. Last-minute visitors should check RV parks near park boundaries.
Lassen Volcanic National Park offers dry camping inside, with nearby resorts providing hookups. Yosemite’s famous spots like El Capitan and Half Dome draw crowds. Campgrounds like Upper Pines fill quickly, so consider Stanislaus National Forest or Highway 120 campgrounds.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon share one entrance pass. Lodgepole and Dorst Creek campgrounds fill fast, with private options outside the parks. Joshua Tree’s Jumbo Rocks and Hidden Valley sites book early; Black Rock Campground and Cottonwood offer quieter alternatives.
Death Valley’s Furnace Creek Campground provides full hookups. Nearby Stovepipe Wells Village and Panamint Springs Resort serve as backups. Pinnacles Campground has RV sites with hookups; nearby towns have private parks.
Muir Woods charges no entrance fee but requires parking or shuttle reservations. Nearby Mount Tamalpais and Samuel P. Taylor State Parks offer full hookup camping. Channel Islands Park is free year-round; the fee waiver applies to boat tours, so check with operators. Many families rent RVs near Ventura to visit the islands.
More than 1,000 RVs and campervans rent in California through RVezy, starting at $99 per night. Renting an RV helps save on hotels and meals since you carry your accommodations and kitchen with you.
This week offers a chance to visit national parks without fees. Will you explore Yosemite’s cliffs or camp under Joshua Tree’s stars? Consider your camping options and book early to avoid full sites.
