Seasonal & Holidays

On MLK Jr. Day, Visit These Florida National Parks For Free

The National Park Service offers free days at parks that normally charge entrance fees. See when fees will be waived in 2022.

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Pictured: Wooden footpath crosses the moat and leads to the entrance of Fort Jefferson National Park in the Dry Tortugas. Dry Tortugas National Park​ is just one of a handful of Florida parks that will waive entrance fees on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Pictured: Wooden footpath crosses the moat and leads to the entrance of Fort Jefferson National Park in the Dry Tortugas. Dry Tortugas National Park​ is just one of a handful of Florida parks that will waive entrance fees on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

FLORIDA — Often viewed as a federal holiday or a day to give back to communities, Martin Luther King Jr. Day also offers something special to those hoping to spend a day outdoors in Florida in 2022.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the next chance residents will have to pay a free visit to national parks in Florida that normally charge entrance fees.

The holiday is one of the several opportunities each year to visit national parks for free. The entrance fee waiver does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation or special tours.

Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The National Park Service lists online all parks requiring entrance fees and the amount of the fees. Entrance fees will be waived at the following Florida parks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

  • Dry Tortugas National Park: 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034, Note: Cars are not able to access the island; Hours: Vary. See link for details.
  • Everglades National Park: 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034; Hours: For current hours, visit the visitor center page or call the main park line at 305-242-7700.
  • Gulf Islands National Seashore: 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze , FL 32563; Hours: Vary. See link for details.

Other fee-free days in 2022 are:

Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • April 16: First day of National Park Week
  • Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
  • Sept. 24: National Public Lands Day
  • Nov. 11: Veterans Day

See the full list of national parks in Florida. Many parks are free year-round.

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