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National Parks week kicks off Saturday; entry fees will be waived that day nationwide.
National Park Week kicks off on Saturday, and it also starts off with a bang-for-your-buck.
That’s because every U.S. National Park Service site will have free entry on Saturday. NPS manages almost 430 sites, and the majority of them already offer free entry every day. But this is your chance to get into the coveted, big-name national parks and other sites without paying a fee.
That includes legendary parks such as Yosemite, which normally has an entry fee of $20 per person or $35 per vehicle. (Note: You’ll still need a reservation to drive into Yosemite on weekends and holidays from April 13 to June 30.)
If you can’t take advantage of the deal Saturday, you’ll still have four more chances at the free entry offers in 2024. They will be:
•June 19 (Wednesday):Juneteenth National Independence Day
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•Aug. 4 (Sunday):Anniversary of theGreat American Outdoors Act
•Sept. 28 (Saturday):National Public Lands Day
•Nov. 11 (Monday):Veterans Day
Given how popular and crowded the famous parks have become in recent years, it might be a good idea to plan ahead, arrive early and check online for potential timed entries on the free days.
Check this linkfor possible closures before you head out for a trip or search for the specific site online. Any number of things can prompt partial or full closures of sites— from late-season blizzards and active bear sightings to wildfires and human overcrowding.Here’s a full list of the NPS sites that usually charge an entry fee.
National Park Week 2024 isn’t a seven-day affair. It will last until Sunday, April 28. Each day of the celebration has a theme. Monday, for instance, will land on Earth Day. And Saturday, April 27, will be Junior Ranger Day. Here’s the full list from NPS:
- Saturday, April 20: Discovery.Discover a new place, a new interesting fact, a new activity. Kick off National Park Service and make that new discovery—entrance fees are waivedon April 20!
- Sunday, April 21: Volunteers.Individuals can use their time and talents as a volunteer in national parks.Find opportunities to volunteerfor a single event or long-term position.
- Monday, April 22: Earth Day.Join the global celebrationencouraging education and stewardship of the planet's natural resources. Many parks are hosting volunteer events. People can also find ways topractice conservation at home.
- Tuesday, April 23: Innovation.History of our nation's innovation is preserved in national parks. Also learn about the innovative projects happening in parks or through our programs today.
- Wednesday, April 24: Workforce Wednesday.Meet the National Park Service’sincredible workforce of employees, interns, fellows, volunteers, contractors, partners, and more.
- Thursday, April 25: Youth Engagement.Calling the rising generation of stewards!Learn about the opportunities for youth and young adultsto get involved with the National Park Service.
- Friday, April 26: Community Connections.Learn about the important work that the National Park Service’s programs and partners are doing in communities across the country both within and outside of park boundaries.
- Saturday, April 27: Junior Ranger Day.For kids (and kids at heart),become a Junior Rangerthrough in-person or online activities to learn about special places or topics.
- Sunday, April 28: Arts in Parks.Home of many artspast and present, find your muse creating arts within parks. Also learn about preserving and practicing arts in your communities through the work of our programs and partners.
The history behind all 63 national parks in the US
The history behind all 63 national parks in the US
Acadia National Park, Maine
National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa
Arches National Park, Utah
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Biscayne National Park, Florida
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Channel Islands National Park, California
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada
Denali National Park, Alaska
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Everglades National Park, Florida
Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska
Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri and Illinois
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Katmai National Park, Alaska
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Kings Canyon National Park, California
Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park, Washington
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Pinnacles National Park, California
Redwood National Park, California
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Sequoia National Park, California
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Virgin Islands National Park, Virgin Islands
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
Yosemite National Park, California
Zion National Park, Utah
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