The U.S. Department of the Interior will waive entrance fees at all fee-collecting public lands on Monday, Aug. 4, in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in 2020.
The bipartisan legislation has provided a long-term funding mechanism to repair aging infrastructure and expand access to public lands nationwide.
Passed with broad congressional support, GAOA created the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, authorizing up to $1.6 billion annually from fiscal year 2021 through 2025.
The funding supports deferred maintenance projects across national parks, wildlife refuges, Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-funded schools, and other federally managed lands.
According to a press release, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum highlighted the ongoing impact of GAOA in a statement ahead of the anniversary.
“The Great American Outdoors Act is improving our nation’s most popular and iconic public land sites,” Burgum said.
“It has been my honor to witness the important work GAOA has completed over the past five years, and I encourage everyone to visit their nearest public land to celebrate the anniversary,” Burgum added.
Since its implementation, the Legacy Restoration Fund has supported 396 projects across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
These projects have repaired or replaced more than 3,800 critical assets, ranging from recreation facilities and utility systems to historic structures and school buildings.
Interior Department data show that GAOA-funded projects have contributed an estimated $1.9 billion annually to the national economy and supported roughly 17,000 jobs each year. The work has delivered measurable benefits to communities that depend on outdoor recreation and tourism.
The act has also helped preserve culturally significant landmarks. Restoration projects include work at Independence Hall in Philadelphia and the Dorchester Heights Monument in Boston—both tied to the country’s founding and being prepared for the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.
In addition to the Legacy Restoration Fund, GAOA ensures full and permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million annually. LWCF supports projects that enhance recreational access, protect wildlife habitat, and safeguard water resources across the country.
The Interior Department clarified that while entrance fees will be waived on Aug. 4, other charges such as camping fees, cabin rentals, and access to special use areas will still apply. The fee-free day is intended to promote public engagement with federally managed lands.