National Park Free Days for 2025

Enjoy free admission to all National Parks, Monuments, Forests, and Recreation Areas that normally charge an entrance fee on select days throughout the year. These can be a great starting point to plan your trip around and to get outside and explore a new park or hiking trail!

January 20th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Civil Rights Day

Late January is one of the best times to explore the outdoors in Southern Arizona. The weather is usually starting to warm back up, but is still a perfect temperature to be comfortable on a hike. To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, sites managed by the National Park Service offer free admission, as well as Arizona State Parks (for Arizona residents).

PicturedNear the start of the King Canyon Trail.

Late January is also the start of gem and mineral show season in the Tucson area. At dozens of shows around the region, you can see fascinating gems, rocks, minerals, fossils, jewelry, and more from Arizona and around the world. Visit our Guide to Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show Season for more information.

You can also visit Old Tucson, a Western-themed family theme park, which is open from January-May for A Western Experience, filled with stunt shows, musical theater, rides, games, and more.

April 19th: First Day of National Park Week

National Park Week is a nine-day celebration of the work the National Park Service does to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of important and beautiful sites, and to provide outdoor recreation opportunities to areas across the country. The first day of this week (a Saturday) is a Free Day for sites managed by the National Park Service. The weather is still mild and pleasant to get outside.

Mid-April is still Wildflower Season, so you’re likely to have your hike accented by a splash of yellow, orange, red, pink, or purple, and the desert landscape is typically lush and verdant.

June 19th: Juneteenth

By the time mid-June rolls around, temperatures are typically reaching triple digits in Marana and much of the Tucson area. That doesn’t mean you can’t explore the outdoors, though! You can go for a quick hike in the early morning or later in the evening when the weather is cooler (Saguaro National Park West has several shorter and flatter trails), or you can make the short drive up Mount Lemmon.

Mount Lemmon is the highest point in the Catalina Mountains, and although the drive up the mountain is only about 30 minutes, the change in environment is the same as driving from the Mexican border to the Canadian border! Near the summit, there are many hiking trails, which you can enjoy in the temperatures that are usually 30-40 degrees cooler than down in Tucson and Marana. Several of these trails are in Coronado National Forest and normally charge a fee, but you can get in free on Juneteenth and all other National Park Free Days.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to Summer Adventures in and around Marana, full of fun indoor and outdoor summertime activities for the whole family!

PicturedThe climate near the summit of Mt. Lemmon is still alpine and temperate, despite triple-digit temperatures in the Tucson area.

August 4th: Great American Outdoors Day

Great American Outdoors Day celebrates the signing into law of the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020. The Act dedicated funds to upgrading and replacing roads, trails, visitor centers, and other facilities in National Parks and public lands throughout the country.

There are several fun things to do to enjoy the outdoors and still beat the heat! There are scenic drives in Saguaro National Park West and East, several shorter, flatter trails in Saguaro National Park West, and excellent stargazing in both districts of the park.

CreditThere are many ways to enjoy the outdoors in the early morning or later evening!

Southern Arizona is one of the top areas for birding in the country, and August is one of the top bird migration seasons in the area. It is a great opportunity to see a wide variety of bird species. Marana’s El Rio Preserve is one of the top birding destinations, where nearly 250 bird species have been observed. In early August of each year, the Tucson Audubon Society hosts the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival, with guided tours, workshops, lectures from birding experts, and more.

Early August is also the heart of monsoon season. The monsoon rains bring a rejuvenation of life to the desert, and offer a chance to see some spectacular lightning, rainbows, and sunsets.

September 27th: National Public Lands Day

National Public Lands Day provides the opportunities for lovers of the environment of all types to show their appreciation for National Parks and outdoor areas, either by visiting and enjoying National Parks and other public lands, volunteering in a public lands cleanup project, or by sharing your appreciation for National Parks and public lands on social media.

If you visit during late September or early October, several of Marana’s breweries and bars host their Oktoberfest celebrations. These local establishments are a great place to grab a craft beer and relax after a hike!

CreditMick Wedley

November 11th: Veterans Day

November is usually a pleasant time to enjoy the outdoors, with the summer heat having subsided and the air having a more fall-like feel to it.

After your outdoor adventure, grab a bite to eat at one of Marana’s excellent local restaurants, with something for every taste and price range. Several of Marana’s restaurants have patios, where you can enjoy a delicious meal and the beautiful weather at the same time.

Stay in Marana

Make Marana your base camp for your outdoor adventures! There are lodging options for all budgets and tastes, conveniently located a short drive away from your favorite outdoor destinations. There are several budget-friendly accommodations located at the Cortaro Road, Ina Road, and Twin Peaks Road interchanges with Interstate 10. They are about 15 minutes from Saguaro National Park West, and their access to I-10 allows for easy access to many other area attractions.

If you visit during the summer, you can take advantage of Celestial Summer rates at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain on select dates. Experience the relaxing spa, cool off in the pools, and enjoy delicious meals at this Double Five Star-Rated resort for a significantly reduced rate!

CreditThe Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

Related Blogs

This itinerary/blog post showcases local businesses in our community. We feature partners that serve food and drink, offer recreational opportunities, places to stay, and shopping. We value accuracy, fairness and balance in our advertising and marketing. We would love to showcase your business to our visitors. These advertising and marketing opportunities (social media, articles, website, and ads) are open to all businesses within Marana and the designated two-mile “Pima County Tourism Partner Zone” around the town limits that meet this criteria. If you want to be featured on our website or in social media, please contact us at MaranaInfo@Maranaaz.gov.

Ryan Wissmann

Author

Ryan Wissmann

Economic Development Specialist, Town of Marana/Discover Marana

Ryan Wissmann is the Economic Development Specialist for the Town of Marana, and is passionate about the growth, development, and quality-of-life in Marana, which of course includes tourism. He is from Kansas City, Missouri, and moved to Arizona in 2021 after completing his Master’s Degree in Economic Development. He enjoys hiking the many trails in and around Marana and Southern Arizona, and can often be found outdoors during spring, fall, and winter weekends when the weather is the most pleasant for hiking.
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