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National Parks ‘Fee Free’ Days Set for 2013

Originally Published in MotorHome Magazine

 

More than 2,000 national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and other federal lands will offer free admittance on selected dates in 2013.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar made the announcement this week and said the free admission is an invitation to all Americans to “visit and enjoy these extraordinary treasures that belong to all our people.”

“Our national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests and other public lands offer every American a place to enjoy outdoor recreation, learn about our nation’s history and culture, and restore our souls and spirits by connecting with the natural beauty and wildness of our land,” Salazar said.

See below for the complete list of dates and participating agencies. The fee waiver does not cover expanded amenity or user fees for things such as camping, boat launches, transportation or special tours.

“National parks and other public lands are becoming increasingly important for both our mental and physical health,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “In our fast-paced world, they provide places for good, old-fashioned social networking with others — places where we can relax and unwind, where we can experience new and different things, and where we can easily share thoughts and communal activities.”

Tourism and outdoor recreation are also powerful economic engines in communities across the country. Recreation on federal lands in 2009 provided 440,000 jobs and contributed $55 billion to the economy.

Active duty military members and their dependents are eligible for a free annual pass that provides entrance to lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Forest Service. The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program also offers a free lifetime pass for people with disabilities, a $10 lifetime senior pass for those age 62 and over, and a $80 annual pass for the general public.

America’s great outdoors should be experienced by everyone,” said Salazar. “Our fantastic network of public lands provides world class recreational opportunities, the chance to view abundant wildlife in natural habitats, sites that showcase our nation’s rich and diverse history, and some of the most incredible scenery found anyway. The fee free days will give both first time and repeat visitors a good reason to spend time in these extraordinary places.”

Jan. 21: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
National Park Service
Fish & Wildlife Service
Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Forest Service

April 22 – 26: National Park Week
National Park Service

June 8: Great Outdoors Day
U.S. Forest Service

Aug. 25: National Park Service Birthday
National Park Service

Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day
National Park Service
Fish & Wildlife Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
U.S. Forest Service

Oct. 13: National Wildlife Refuge Day
Fish & Wildlife Service

Nov. 9-11: Veterans Day weekend
National Park Service
Fish & Wildlife Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
U.S. Forest Service

national parks

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