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. From national parks to world-class museums, Colorado offers complimentary admission on regular dates throughout the season, each and every year. Get free entry all day at the Denver Zoo, Botanic Gardens, Art Museum, Museum of Nature & Science, and Colorado’s four National Parks.
Dates are subject to change. Here are the Free Days in 2022 at Denver Area 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.
Free Admission at Colorado National Parks:
- January 18: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- April 17: First day of National Park Week
- August 4: One Year Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- August 25: National Park Service Birthday
- September 25: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
Free Second Tuesdays at Denver Art Museum
The museum offers 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 2022. Learn more about the Denver Art Museum.
Free Admission at Denver Art Museum:
- Tuesday, January 11
- Saturday, January 22
- Tuesday, February 8
- Tuesday, March 8
- Tuesday, April 12
- Sunday, April 24
- Tuesday, May 10
- Sunday, June 5
- Tuesday, June 14
- Tuesday, July 12
- Sunday, July 31
- Tuesday, August 9
- Saturday, September 10
- Tuesday, September 13
- Tuesday, October 11
- Saturday, November 5
- Tuesday, November 8
- Tuesday, December 13
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.
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, January 17 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
- Thursday, February 17
- Wednesday, March 16
- Thursday, April 21 (Earth Day)
- Tuesday, June 7
- Wednesday, July 6
- Tuesday, August 16
- Friday, November 25
2022 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, January 20 | 10 am – 3 pm
- Thursday, February 17 | 10 am – 3 pm
- Saturday, March 19 | 10 am – 3 pm
- Thursday, June 16 | 9 am – 2 pm
- Saturday, July 23 | 9 am – 2 pm
- Thursday, August 18 | 9 am – 2 pm
- Saturday, November 19 | 10 am – 3 pm
- Thursday, December 15 | 10 am – 3 pm
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.
Note: Free days will be announced one at a time. Be sure to follow them on Facebook for updates.
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.
Free Admission at DMNS:
- Monday, January 3
- Sunday, January 23 (Guitar Day)
- Monday, February 7
- Sunday, February 27
- Sunday, May 1 (Día del Niño)
- Monday, May 23
- Wednesday, June 39 (Free Night)
- Wednesday, August 17 (Free Night)
- Wednesday, September 7 (Free Night)
- Monday, September 19
- Sunday, October 9 (Out! At the Museum)
- Monday, December 5
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.
Free Admission at Clyfford Still Museum:
- Thursday, January 20
- Tuesday, February 15
- Saturday, March 19
- Sunday, April 24
- Wednesday, May 18
- Friday, June 10
- Sunday, July 24
- Friday, August 5
- Saturday, September 10
- Tuesday, October 18
- Saturday, November 5
- Wednesday, December 7
Free Admission days at Colorado Railroad Museum for 2022 are still TBA but are selected 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 ahead for these rare occasions!
Free Days at Denver Botanic Gardens
