Come visit one of America’s almost 400 national parks on Veterans Day. In recognition of current and former servicemen and -women, all national parks are waiving entrance fees on November 11, 2010.
“From everyone in the National Park Service, I
extend gratitude to all who have served in the U.S. armed forces and
defended the people, freedoms, and resources of this country,” said NPS
Director Jon Jarvis.
“In honor of veterans, entry to the national parks, which preserve
many of our nation’s finest natural and cultural resources, will be
free on Veterans Day, November 11. I invite everyone to take advantage
of this opportunity and savor places that our veterans have kept safe
for us.”
The national parks hold something for
everyone—hardcore hikers and campers and people who like to explore
history, take a leisurely nature walk, or simply pack a picnic lunch and
get away from it all. In the parks, visitors of all abilities and
interests can enjoy a holiday, often without making more than a short
trip from one of the population centers many of us call home.
For example:
Residents of the DC area can investigate the Civil War and the
build-up to it at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Whether
first-time hikers, old pros, or trekkers who fall in between,
Washingtonians can take to the trails at Shenandoah National Park. Hiking maps are available that indicate the difficulty of routes. The Limberlost Trail is suitable for some visitors with limited mobility.
New Yorkers can relive the Gilded Age at Vanderbilt Mansion
National Historic Site in Hyde Park by strolling the grounds and touring
the interior.
If Denver is home, a two-hour drive brings you to picnic spots,
trails friendly to any hiker, and in-person views of elk at Rocky
Mountain National Park. Learn more about accessible hiking trails before your visit.
Folks from Fairbanks, forget the treadmill! Exercise by
snowshoeing over the white stuff at Denali National Park and Preserve.
San Diegans can get an up-close look at seastars, anemones, and other tidepool creatures at Cabrillo National Monument.
To discover other activities available in national parks, please consult the National Park Service Events Calendar for 2010
Veterans Day is the last of 2010’s fee-free days in the national parks.
