Florida will waive admission fees at its state parks for three days next month as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced.
Day-use admission will be free at Florida State Parks from Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, 2026, in celebration of America’s 250 years of independence.
DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert framed the timing as significant given the milestone anniversary, saying officials hope Floridians and their friends and family will visit state parks to enjoy the outdoors, make new memories and support the state’s public lands.
The waiver does not apply everywhere. Free admission applies to day use only and excludes Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. All other fees, including overnight accommodations, special events, concessions, and rentals from park vendors, will remain in effect.
Florida’s park system spans a wide range of terrain and activities. Visitors can choose from caverns, wetlands, springs and beaches, with activities including hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, swimming, paddling and horseback riding, as well as historic sites such as forts, battlefields and archaeological landmarks. Statewide, the system includes 175 parks, trails, and historic sites covering more than 815,000 acres, with 101 miles of beaches and more than 3,000 miles of multi-use trails.
The park system carries economic weight beyond recreation. In the last fiscal year, Florida State Parks welcomed over 28 million visitors and contributed an estimated $3.6 billion in statewide economic impact. It has also drawn national recognition, as the only four-time winner of the National Recreation and Park Association’s National Gold Medal Award.
Officials are encouraging visitors to plan ahead, with the holiday weekend and the historic anniversary expected to draw larger-than-usual crowds. More information on individual parks is available at FloridaStateParks.org.
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