From national parks to world-class museums, Colorado offers complimentary admission on regular dates throughout the season, each and every year. Get free entry on a 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 2023 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 major four parks: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Rocky Mountain National. Learn more about Colorado’s federal lands. It’s the same across the country, in case you’ve been looking to check our Yellowstone or Glacier.
2023 Free Admission at Colorado National Parks:
- Monday, January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Saturday, April 22: First day of National Park Week
- Friday August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- Saturday, September 23: National Public Lands Day
- Saturday, November 11: Veterans Day
Free Second Tuesdays at Denver Art Museum
The museum offers a free admission day on the second Tuesday 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.
2023 Free Admission at Denver Art Museum:
- Tuesday, December 13, 2022
- Tuesday, January 10
- Saturday, January 28
- Tuesday, February 14
- Tuesday, March 14
- Tuesday, April 11
- Tuesday, May 9
- Tuesday, June 13
- Tuesday, July 11
- Tuesday, August 8
- Tuesday, September 12
- Tuesday, October 1
- Tuesday, November 4
- Tuesday, December 11
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.
2023 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. 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
- Thursday, Feb. 16
- Wednesday, March 15
- Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day)
- Tuesday, June 6
- Wednesday, July 5
- Tuesday, Aug. 15
- Friday, Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving Friday)
2023 Free Days at Plains Conservation Center:
The Plains Conversation Center now offers free days due to a joint effort between the city of Aurora and Denver Botanic Gardens.
- Thursday, Jan. 19
- Thursday, Feb. 23
- Saturday, March 11
- Thursday, June 15
- Saturday, July 15
- Thursday, Aug. 17
- Saturday, Nov. 18
- Thursday, Dec. 7
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.
2023 Denver Zoo Free Dates:
- Friday, January 6
- Sunday, January 22
- Sunday, February 5
- Sunday, April 9
- Saturday, October 7
- Tuesday, November 7
- Sunday, November 12
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.
2023 Free Admission at DMNS:
- Monday, January 9th
- Sunday, January 29th
- Monday, February 6th
- Sunday, February 26th
- Sunday, April, 30th
- Wednesday, June 28th Free Night
- Wednesday, August 16th Free Night
- Wednesday, September 6th Free Night
- Monday, September 18th
- Sunday, October 15th
- Monday, December 4th
Other Free Admission Days at Denver Area Museums
There are many other Denver museums that 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 to 8 pm (or dusk) on the third Friday of every month May – September.
SCFD Free Admission Days at Clyfford Still Museum– The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) welcomes free walk-ins on these days in 2023 at the Clyfford Still Museum.
- Friday, January 13
- Thursday, February 23
- Sunday, March 26
- Sunday, April 30 – Día del Niño Celebration Program
- Wednesday, May 31
- Sunday, June 25 – PrideFest Weekend
- Sunday, July 23 – ADA Celebration Program
- Friday, August 18
- Wednesday, September 6
- Thursday, October 5
- Saturday, November 4 – Night at the Museums
- Sunday, December 3
SCFD Free Admission days at Colorado Railroad Museum are selected Thursdays throughout the year. Boulder County residents with proof of address get additional free days TBA.
- Thursday, October 6, 2022
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.
- Monday, August 7, 2023
Thanks for checking out our list of free admission days around Denver and beyond in Colorado. Plan ahead for these rare special occasions!
5 Reasons to Visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in the Winter
