HOMESTEAD, Fla. (Oct. 25, 2026) — Ever wanted to see the River of Grass? Two days left this year will save you the entrance fee. The National Park Service (NPS) lists Tuesday, Oct. 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, and Wednesday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day, as its last two 2026 fee-free entrance days [1][2].

What's free, and what isn't

On those days, every NPS site that charges an entrance fee will admit U.S. citizens and residents free [1]. Other fees, such as timed-entry or reservation fees, may still apply [1]. At Everglades, camping, tours run by park concessioners and rentals have separate fees [1].

What you'd normally pay

On a regular day, Everglades charges [1]:

  • $35 for a private vehicle, which covers everyone inside and is good for seven days in a row
  • $30 for a motorcycle
  • $20 per person for those arriving on foot or by bicycle
  • $70 for an Everglades annual pass

Children 15 and younger arriving without a vehicle get in free [1]. Non-U.S. residents 16 and older pay an extra $100 per person unless they have an annual or America the Beautiful pass [1].

Passes for veterans, seniors and fourth graders

The national America the Beautiful pass is free for current U.S. military members and their dependents, for Gold Star families and veterans (a lifetime pass), for U.S. fourth graders, and for U.S. citizens and residents with a permanent disability [1]. Seniors 62 and older pay $20 for an annual pass or $80 for a lifetime pass [1].

Before you go

  • Leave the cash at home. NPS says the park does not accept cash. Fee stations take only digital passes or credit and debit cards [1].
  • Pick your entrance. Passes are sold at the Homestead and Shark Valley entrance stations and at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center on the Gulf Coast side [1].
  • It's always open. The park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, but visitor center hours vary [1].
  • School groups: accredited schools can apply for free entrance at least two weeks before a visit [1].

The park's mailing address is 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead. Questions go to the park at 305-242-7700 [1].

Sources

  1. National Park Service, Everglades National Park, "Fees" (includes 2026 free entrance days): https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/fees.htm
  2. National Park Service, "Entrance Fee-Free Days": https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

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