Free admission, warmer weather, longer days, and fewer crowds make this
weekend a great time to visit a national park. To celebrate the coming
of summer, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at all parks on June 5 and 6.
“National parks offer visitors great places to exercise their
bodies and their minds – or just relax with family or friends,” said
National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. “Check out the birding
caravan at Acadia in Maine or be part of the 50th anniversary
celebration at Bent’s Old Fort in Colorado. Whatever your interests,
come on out this weekend and experience the best places that America has
at the best price you’ll find – free.”
National Trails Day on June 5 is an opportune time to hike a
portion of the 17,000 miles of trail located in national parks.
Additionally, the National Park Service National Trails System manages
more than 50,000 miles of historic and scenic trails of national
importance, such as the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Selma
to Montgomery National Historic Trail and more than 1,000 national
recreation trails of local or regional significance.
The National Park Service entrance fees will also be waived on Aug.
14 and 15, Sept. 25, and Nov. 11, 2010. Fees for activities such as
camping, reservations, tours or concessions are not affected by the
entrance fee waiver.
There are 147 parks that normally charge entrance fees ranging from
$3 to $25. The remaining 245 national parks do not charge entrance
fees, so you can plan inexpensive visits year round.
