News Release

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to Offer Free Admission on Four Days In 2018

Lees Ferry, Colorado River recreation in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: December 12, 2017

Contact: Mary Plumb, 928-608-6202

The National Park Service announced today that the public will be invited to experience all national parks, including Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, without entrance fees, on four days in 2018.

The 2018 entrance fee-free days are:

• January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• April 21: First Day of National Park Week 
• September 22: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

“We welcome everyone to enjoy the diversity of land and water based activities available,” said William Shott, superintendent of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. “We hope that these fee-free days offer visitors an extra incentive to enjoy these very special national parks in 2018.”

Usually, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has an entrance fee of $25 per car for one to seven day entrance. Many land and water based activities are available; find all the information needed to plan your next adventure here. The fee waiver includes entrance fees only. Other fees such as boating permits, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included.

In 2016, tourism to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area supported 3,419 local jobs, indicating a 40 percent increase since 2015. Spending in local communities by park visitors also increased 40 percent last year to exceed $240 million. Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge drew 3.3 million visitors in 2016, up 29 percent over 2015. Those visitors drove a 42 percent increase in economic output to $278.2 million, an estimate of the value of the production of goods and services supported by visitor spending. 

Normally, 118 of the 417 national parks charge an entrance fee. The other 299 national parks do not have entrance fees.

The annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks that charge an entrance fee. There are also free or discounted passes available for senior citizens, current members of the military, families of fourth grade students, and disabled citizens.