Great Parks is waiving motor vehicle permit requirements on select dates in 2026 as part of its Community Days program, expanding free access to more than 18,000 acres of parks and conservation areas across the region.
The 10 designated days align with a mix of national holidays and special observances, including National Trails Day on June 6 and Great Parks’ birthday on July 17. On those dates, visitors may enter Great Parks locations by vehicle without displaying a permit, also known as an MVP.
The full schedule is available below.
Motor vehicle permit fees support safety, maintenance and conservation efforts across the Hamilton County park system. Great Parks, formerly known as the Hamilton County Park District, operates 22 parks and conservation areas, along with education facilities, golf courses, lakes and waterfront access, and an expanding regional trail network.
Annual permits cost $10 for Hamilton County residents and $16 for nonresidents. Permits may be purchased online or at many Great Parks locations.
Motor Vehicle Permits aren’t required at Otto Armleder Memorial Park or Fernbank Park, which are co-managed by Great Parks, the Cincinnati Park Board and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission.
Great Parks also offers permits at no cost to certain visitors, including active military members, some veterans, participants in the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library’s Discovery Pass program, and Hamilton County residents with a valid food assistance card. Discounted permits are available for students enrolled at Hamilton County colleges and universities.
The MVP is only necessary for guests arriving with a motor vehicle. Admission to Great Parks is always free for walkers, joggers, bicyclists and others who enter without a vehicle.
2026 Community Days Schedule
- Jan. 19 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Feb. 17 — Random Acts of Kindness Day
- April 22 — Earth Day
- May 16 — Kids to Parks Day
- June 6 — National Trails Day
- June 19 — Juneteenth
- July 17 — Great Parks’ Birthday
- Sept. 26 — National Public Lands Day
- Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
- Nov. 27 — Opt Outside Day
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