Fees & Passes

Free

No entrance pass required

An entrance pass is not required to access John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

Other National Park Service sites may require an entrance pass or fee. Depending on your trip plans, an interagency pass may save you money.

2025 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• Monday, January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 19 — First Day of National Park Week
• Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
• Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
• Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

 

We do not sell any federal passes at the visitor center.

Permits or commercial use authorizations may be required for events such as: weddings, family gatherings, scattering of ashes, bringing in a tour group, commercial photography, any photography involving a model, and commercial videography. This is not an exhaustive list of activities that require special permission. Visit the permits page to find out more. If in doubt as to whether your activity requires a permit, contact us.