Looking to get outside over the Memorial Day weekend to enjoy everything Florida has to offer?
Ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced free admission to Florida state parks over the three-day weekend.
Not enough?
On Memorial Day, U.S. residents won’t be charged entrance fees at national parks.
When is Memorial Day 2026?
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May.
This year, it will be on Monday, May 25.
Memorial Day became 3-day weekend in 1971
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which moved several federal holidays, including Memorial Day, to Mondays. The act created three-day weekends for federal workers.
The change officially took effect in 1971, establishing the last Monday in May as Memorial Day.
Get free admission to Florida state parks over Memorial Day weekend
Florida State Parks will offer free admission over the Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, according to a news release.
Free admission applies to day-use only and excludes:
All other fees, including overnight accommodations, special events, concessions and rentals from park vendors, will remain in effect, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said.
How many state parks are there in Florida?
There are 175 state parks, trails and historic sites in Florida covering more than 815,000 acres, 101 miles of beaches and more than 3,024 miles of multi-use trails.
➤ Find a park near you
“Florida State Parks also preserve a wide range of cultural and historical resources, including forts, battlefields, archaeological sites and historic landscapes that reflect chapters of Florida’s past,” Florida DEP said.
US citizens get free admission to national parks on Memorial Day
All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to U.S. residents on Memorial Day, May 25, according to the National Park Service.
Not a US resident? It’ll cost you to visit national parks
“Free entrance days only apply to U.S. citizens and permanent residents,” the National Park Service said.
➤ $100 entry to national parks? Who will pay more, where in Florida
“Nonresidents must pay entrance and any nonresident fees unless they have the Non-Resident Annual Pass.”
A Non-Resident Annual Pass for non-U.S. resident costs $250, compared to the $80 for a Resident Annual Pass for U.S. residents.
How many national parks are there in Florida?
There are 11 national parks in Florida:
Get free entry into national parks on ‘fee-free days’
Most of the sites managed by the National Park Service are free to visit, but some require an entrance pass. You can get free park entry on several “patriotic fee-free days.”
In 2026, those dates are:
“Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for U.S. citizens and residents only,” the National Park Service said.
“Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.”
Flags fly at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day
“On Memorial Day, the American flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes,” according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
How am I supposed to observe Memorial Day?
Many people honor Memorial Day in traditional ways, such as:
Memorial Day weekend also has become a time for families and communities to gather and enjoy the unofficial start of summer.
Should I say Happy Memorial Day?
Avoid saying “Happy Memorial Day.”
“It’s important to remember we are honoring our fallen. For many, this day is not a happy occasion but a solemn one,” Wounded Warrior Project said on its website.
What you can say is something like, “Have a meaningful Memorial Day.”
“It’s also not appropriate to thank a service member for their service on this day, as it is a day for remembering and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Remember to speak from the heart and with sincerity, acknowledging the significance of the day and the sacrifices made by those we honor. Use this day to show how grateful we are for their bravery, and as a promise that we’ll always remember their courage and sacrifice.”
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-journalonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Get free admission at these Florida parks over Memorial Day weekend
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
