National Public Lands Day

Celebrate America's natural treasures on National Public Lands Day! This day encourages volunteering to help maintain and improve public lands including national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. Connect with nature and preserve these spaces for future generations.

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National Public Lands Day - Celebrate America's natural treasures on National Public Lands Day! This day encourages volunteering to help maintain and improve public lands including national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. Connect with nature and preserve these spaces for future generations.

About National Public Lands Day

History & origins

National Public Lands Day began in 1994 as Public Lands Appreciation Day and was later renamed National Public Lands Day. It is coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service and other federal agencies, and it is held on the fourth Saturday in September. The observance started in the United States and has become a nationwide volunteer event focused on caring for parks, forests, refuges, and other public lands.

Why it matters

National Public Lands Day turns conservation into hands-on community action, with volunteers helping restore trails, remove litter, plant native species, and improve access to outdoor spaces. It also highlights the value of public lands for recreation, education, biodiversity, and local economies, making stewardship more visible and more practical.

How to celebrate

Volunteer at local parks or public lands. Participate in cleanup or restoration projects. Visit a national park (many offer free admission). Learn about public land conservation. Support park foundations. Share your public lands experiences on social media.

Facts

The US has over 640 million acres of public lands
Public lands contribute over $600 billion to the economy annually
National Public Lands Day is the largest single-day volunteer effort
Many federal sites offer free admission on this day
Over 170,000 volunteers participate annually

Upcoming dates

Saturday, September 26, 2026
Sunday, September 26, 2027
Tuesday, September 26, 2028
Wednesday, September 26, 2029
Thursday, September 26, 2030

Frequently asked questions

When is National Public Lands Day in 2026?

National Public Lands Day in 2026 is on September 26, 2026. It is observed on the fourth Saturday in September.

What is National Public Lands Day?

National Public Lands Day is a volunteer-focused observance that encourages people to help care for public lands. Common activities include cleanup projects, trail work, habitat restoration, and outdoor education events.

Who started National Public Lands Day?

The National Environmental Education Foundation launched it in 1994, originally as Public Lands Appreciation Day. It later became National Public Lands Day and is now coordinated with the National Park Service and other federal partners.

How do you celebrate National Public Lands Day?

You can celebrate by volunteering at a park, forest, wildlife refuge, or local green space. If you cannot volunteer, visiting a public land site, learning about conservation, or supporting a park nonprofit are simple ways to participate.

Is National Public Lands Day an official holiday?

No, it is not a federal holiday. It is an environmental observance centered on volunteer service and public land stewardship.

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