When is National Public Lands Day?
National Public Lands Day 2027 is on Saturday
Saturday, September 25, 2027
The fourth Saturday in September. That's in 343 days.
until National Public Lands Day begins, in your time zone
National Public Lands Day is the largest single-day volunteer event for America's public lands. Thousands of people spend the day repairing trails, planting trees, clearing litter and restoring habitat in parks, forests, refuges and other shared outdoor spaces.
About National Public Lands Day
The United States holds hundreds of millions of acres of land in common, from national parks and forests to wildlife refuges, state parks and city green spaces. National Public Lands Day invites the public to help care for those places through hands-on service, and to enjoy them while they are at it. Typical projects include building and maintaining trails, removing invasive plants, planting native species, cleaning up shorelines and improving access for visitors.
The first event, then called Public Lands Appreciation Day, took place on July 30, 1994. It is coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), a nonprofit chartered by Congress, working with federal, state and local land agencies and volunteer groups. The day later moved to its current slot, the fourth Saturday in September. NEEF reports that the 2025 edition on September 27 was the 32nd annual event, and its early estimates for September 26, 2026 counted more than 700 events and 55,000 volunteers across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
For years the National Park Service waived entrance fees on National Public Lands Day; it was on the agency's fee-free list as recently as 2025. The 2026 list of free entrance days published by the Park Service does not include it, so check the Park Service and other land agencies before you go rather than assuming entry is free.
Sources: NEEF: National Public Lands Day, NEEF: About NEEF, National Park Service: Fee-free entrance days (2026 list), National Park Service: Fee-free entrance days (2025 list, archived). How we check dates.
How to mark National Public Lands Day
- Search NEEF's event map for a volunteer project near you and sign up ahead of time, since many have limited spots.
- Organize a small cleanup at a neighborhood park or trailhead with friends, a scout troop or coworkers.
- Bring the basics for outdoor work: sturdy shoes, gloves, water, sun protection and layers.
- Visit a public land you have never been to, such as a wildlife refuge or a national forest, and follow its posted rules.
- Learn which agency manages the public land closest to you and what volunteer roles it offers year-round.
National Public Lands Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Saturday, September 27, 2025 |
| 2026 | Saturday, September 26, 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday, September 25, 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday, September 23, 2028 |
| 2029 | Saturday, September 22, 2029 |
| 2030 | Saturday, September 28, 2030 |
| 2031 | Saturday, September 27, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is National Public Lands Day 2027?
National Public Lands Day 2027 is on Saturday, September 25, 2027. It falls on the fourth Saturday in September. In 2028, it is on Saturday, September 23, 2028.
Is National Public Lands Day a fee-free day at national parks?
It was for many years, including 2025. The National Park Service's 2026 fee-free list does not include it, so check the current list before you visit.
Who organizes National Public Lands Day?
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) coordinates it, working with federal, state and local land agencies and volunteer groups.
Is National Public Lands Day a public holiday?
No. National Public Lands Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.