Colorado’s National Parks are free Oct. 27 in honor of Teddy Roosevelt’s birthday

Teddy Roosevelt has a birthday coming up, and you’re the one getting the gift. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at every park that charges one, in honor of the 26th president. That includes Colorado’s four national parks: Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

It’s a fitting way to celebrate the guy. While he was president from 1901 to 1909, Roosevelt doubled the number of national parks from five to 10 and created 150 national forests, plus a pile of bird and game reserves and national monuments. Mesa Verde was one of the parks added during his presidency, so a trip to southwest Colorado on Tuesday is a pretty good thank-you note. The fee waiver also covers fee-charging national monuments and other park sites around the state.

There’s one catch that’s new this year. Starting in 2026, fee-free days are only for U.S. citizens and residents. Visitors from other countries still pay the regular entrance fee plus any nonresident fees. Keep an ID handy in case a ranger asks. The waiver also only covers entrance. Camping, tours and other reservation fees still apply.

Here’s the “when” part. Oct. 27 falls on a Tuesday, which helps a lot. It’s a weekday, so the crowds should be lighter than on a summer weekend free day. It’s also late October in the mountains, so weather can change fast and some high roads and facilities may be closed for the season. Check the park’s website and road conditions before you head out, pack layers and go early to get the most daylight.

Can’t get away Tuesday? The next fee-free day is Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. It’s the last one of 2026.