From national parks to world-class museums, Colorado offers complimentary admission on regular dates throughout the season, every year. Get free entry on select day(s) at the Denver Zoo, Botanic Gardens, Art Museum, Museum of Nature & Science, State Parks, and Colorado’s four National Parks.
There are a lot of free things you can do in a state like Colorado. You can camp under the brightest stars or hike up the highest peak, without ever dropping a dime. And if you remember these dates, you can save some money on seeing these normally paid attractions.
Dates are subject to change. Here are the Free Days in 2026 at Denver and Colorado Attractions:
Free Days at National Parks
These are good for all National Park Service entrance fees, including national monuments, forest day-use areas, and the four major parks: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Learn more about Colorado’s federal lands. It’s the same across the country, in case you’ve been looking to check out our Yellowstone or Glacier.
2026 Free Admission at Colorado National Parks:
- Monday, February 16: Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday)
- Monday, May 25: Memorial Day
- Sunday, June 14: Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday
- Friday-Sunday, July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
- Tuesday, August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- Thursday, September 17: Constitution Day
- Tuesday, October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day
Free Day at Colorado State Parks
There is free state park admission on Colorado Day – celebrate this special occasion (the first Monday in August) by visiting one of Colorado’s state parks for free. Colorado is home to more than state parks, each of which offers something unique to see and experience.
- Saturday, August 1, 2026
Free Second Tuesdays at Denver Art Museum
The museum offers free admission on select day(s) of every month. With the museum’s latest expansion of the Martin building and welcome center, plus its main exhibition hall, there’s plenty to see here. Below are the free admission days in 2023. Learn more about the Denver Art Museum.
2026 Free Admission at Denver Art Museum:
- Tuesday, January 13
- Tuesday, February 10
- Tuesday, March 10
- Sunday, April 26
- Tuesday, May 12
- Tuesday, June 9
- Tuesday, July 14
- Saturday, August 1
- Saturday, September 12
- Tuesday, October 13
- Saturday, November 7
- Tuesday, December 8
Free Days at Denver Botanic Gardens
Thanks to funding from the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District, visitors can enjoy selected free admission days throughout the year to the gardens. This year-round attraction features a huge tropical dome, so you can see lush greens in the heart of February. Learn more about the Denver Botanic Gardens.
2026 Free Admission at the Denver Botanic Gardens – York Street and Chatfield Farms:
1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206 | 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 80128
- Monday, Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
- Thursday, Feb. 12
- Monday, March 9
- Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day)
- Tuesday, June 9
- Wednesday, July 1
- Tuesday, Aug. 25
- Friday, Nov. 27 (day after Thanksgiving)
2026 Free Days at Plains Conservation Center:
The Plains Conservation Center now offers free days due to a joint effort between the city of Aurora and Denver Botanic Gardens.
- Thursday, Jan. 15, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Thursday, June 11, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (celebrating Indigenous People’s Month)
- Thursday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (holiday themed)
Free Days at Denver Zoo
The Denver Zoo Community Free Days allow access during normal admission hours from 10 am to 4 pm in the winter, and 9 am to 5 pm in the summer. The park stays open one hour past these times. This massive wildlife attraction spotlights around 4000 animals and 650 species. Learn more about the Denver Zoo.
2026 Denver Zoo Free Dates:
Free Day tickets are only available online. Walk-ups will not be accepted on Free Days.
- TBD 2026
Free Days at Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Any day is a good day to explore the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Throughout the year, the museum holds many free days, along with special member pricing and discounts. Located beside the Denver Zoo, this world-class nature and science museum provides interactive exhibits for all ages.
2026 Free Admission at DMNS:
- Sunday, January 11
- Sunday, February 1
- Monday, February 9
- Friday evening, March 6 (Girls & Science, 4-9 pm)
- Monday, April 13
- Sunday, April 26 (Día del Niño, in collaboration with the Mexican Cultural Center)
- Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth)
- Monday, August 24
- Tuesday evening, September 1 (4-9 pm)
- Sunday, October 11 (OUT! at the Museum)
- Saturday evening, November 7 (Night at the Museums for Denver Arts Week, 5-10 pm)
- Monday, November 16
Other Free Admission Days at Denver Area Museums
Many other Denver museums host free days. Others charge very little or are free to start. Here are a few more free admission dates at Denver Metropolitan museums.
Free Admission at Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus – For its Joy Park Free Nights, play is from 4:30 to 8 pm (or dusk) on the third Friday of every month, May – September:
- Friday, May 15, 2026, Joy Park Free Night
- Friday, June 19, 2026, Joy Park Free Night
- Friday, July 17, 2026, Joy Park Free Night
- Friday, August 21, 2026, Joy Park Free Night
- Friday, September 18, 2026, Joy Park Free Night
2026 SCFD Free Admission Days at Clyfford Still Museum– The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) welcomes free walk-ins on these days in 2026 at the Clyfford Still Museum.
- Sunday, April 26 – Día del Niño Celebration & Program
- Sunday, June 14 – Denver Pride Month
- Sunday, July 26 – Disability Pride Month Celebration & Program
- Saturday, September 19 – Clyfford Still Museum 15th Anniversary Community Celebration
- Saturday, November 7 – Night at the Museums (Denver Arts Week)
SCFD Free Admission days at Colorado Railroad Museum are select Thursdays throughout the year. Boulder County residents with proof of address get additional free days TBA.
Thanks for checking out our list of free admission days around Denver and beyond in Colorado. Plan for these rare special occasions. We’ve also made a list of free days in chronological order for your viewing pleasure.
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