The U.S. Army was protecting California’s national parks long before there was a National Park Service. This Veterans Day, those parks are opening their gates for free.
Wednesday, November 11, is Veterans Day, and the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at participating national parks and other National Park Service sites across the country. Here in California, that includes Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and the other parks that normally charge admission. It’s the final scheduled fee-free day of 2026, and a good excuse to spend the holiday outdoors.
Redirect existing revenue, fix the backlog, and keep parks open to everyone.
The sky over California puts on one of its best displays this weekend. From desert flats to high mountain vistas, the Geminid meteor shower peaks between December 13 and 14 — and under the right conditions, it’s the year’s most spectacular meteor show. Get away from town lights and clouds, and you’ll see fast, bright streaks and the occasional fireball that make a late night worth it.
This month, Grant Grove in Kings Canyon will host the 100th Annual Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree. On December 14, assembling at 2 p.m. with the official ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m. The event honors the General Grant Tree, the long-lived, enormous, and officially recognized “Nation’s Christmas Tree.” December 14 is also a free entrance day at Sequoia and Kings Canyon, so Grant Grove will see heavier foot traffic and limited parking.