This Saturday, April 20, is a big freebie: no admission charges at all 429 sites in the U.S. National Park System, ranging from battlefields to seashores to mountains and lakes to celebrate the beginning of the annual National Park Week.
NPS Director Chuck Sams said in a statement that “During National Park Week, and throughout the year, I encourage people to discover and enjoy the natural, cultural, historical, and recreational opportunities available in national parks and through National Park Service community programs.”
Many of the sites have no admission fees the rest of the year either. National Park Week has been celebrated since the service’s 75th anniversary in 1991. Each day of the 9-day week has a different theme. This year’s are:
- April 20 – Discovery
- April 21 – Volunteers
- April 22 – Earth Day
- April 23 – Innovation
- April 24 – Workforce Wednesday
- April 25 – Youth Engagement
- April 26 – Community Connections
- April 27 – Junior Ranger Day
- April 28 – Arts in Parks
National Park Service Photo by Kurt Moses
