The National Park Service will waive entrance fees Monday in honor of Memorial Day as parks across the country host ceremonies remembering fallen U.S. service members.
The fee-free day marks the unofficial start of the summer travel season and applies to many national parks, battlefields, historic sites, trails, and memorials across the country.
Several major national parks and historic sites are located within driving distance of Charlotte, including America’s #1 most visited national park.
- Blue Ridge Parkway — approximately 2 hours from Charlotte
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park — approximately 3 hours away
- Congaree National Park — approximately 1.5 hours away
- Kings Mountain National Military Park — approximately 1 hour away
- Cowpens National Battlefield — approximately 1.5 hours away
- Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site — approximately 2 hours away
- Guilford Courthouse National Military Park — approximately 1.5 hours away
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail — trail access points located throughout the Charlotte region
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — trail access roughly 2.5 hours from Charlotte in western North Carolina
- Trail of Tears National Historic Trail — portions accessible across western North Carolina
- Ninety Six National Historic Site — approximately 2.5 hours from Charlotte
The Blue Ridge Parkway remains one of the region’s most popular scenic drives, stretching 469 miles through North Carolina and Virginia.
Meanwhile, Great Smoky Mountains National Park continues ranking as America’s most visited national park because of its mountain views, wildlife, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
South Carolina’s Congaree National Park features one of the nation’s largest remaining old-growth bottomland hardwood forests.
Several Revolutionary War sites near Charlotte, including Kings Mountain, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, and the Overmountain Victory Trail, will also attract visitors during the holiday weekend.
The National Park Service says parks nationwide will host memorial ceremonies, educational programs, and remembrance events throughout Memorial Day weekend.
Additional free admission dates planned for 2026 include:
- June 14 — Flag Day
- July 3–5 — Fourth of July weekend
- Aug. 25 — National Park Service birthday
- Sept. 17 — Constitution Day
- Oct. 27 — Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
According to the National Park Service, the fee waivers apply only to U.S. citizens and residents.
