SOUTHERN MARYLAND — Entrance fees at all National Park Service sites will be waived on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act.
Passed in 2020, the act was championed by the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and became Public Law No. 116-152 on Aug. 4, 2020. It provides critical funding for infrastructure improvements across U.S. national parks through the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Residents of Southern Maryland can take advantage of the free entry day by visiting nearby National Park Service sites such as:
- Piscataway Park (Accokeek, Md.) – Preserves the scenic view from George Washington’s Mount Vernon and offers hiking trails and Potomac River access.
- Fort Washington Park (Fort Washington, Md.) – A historic military site with panoramic riverfront scenery and occasional artillery demonstrations that bring 19th-century defenses to life.
- Assateague Island National Seashore (Berlin, Md.) – Known for wild horses, beaches and coastal habitat, approximately three hours from Southern Maryland.
- George Washington Birthplace National Monument (Colonial Beach, Va.) – Preserves the site of Washington’s birth and includes a colonial-era farm, trails and sweeping Potomac views.
Visitors can also explore the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C., which are always free to enter year-round. These include iconic sites such as the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the grounds surrounding the Washington Monument. However, timed entry tickets are required for Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site and the Washington Monument.
To date, more than 600 repair and rehabilitation projects have been carried out in over 250 parks — from restoring fencing at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace to campground upgrades at Zion National Park. These efforts have enhanced facilities, protected resources and expanded access for visitors across the country.
National Park Service Fee-Free Days in 2025:
- Monday, Jan. 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Saturday, April 19 – First day of National Park Week
- Thursday, June 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Monday, Aug. 4 – Great American Outdoors Act Anniversary
- Saturday, Sept. 27 – National Public Lands Day
- Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
Learn more: nps.gov/subjects/infrastructure/news-and-stories.htm
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