All 419 U.S. National Park sites will be free of admission charges for five days this year, including the newest, White Sands National Park, newly upgraded from National Monument status. Normally 110 sites have fees ranging from $5 to $35.
The five free days mark two national holidays (Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 20 and Veterans Day, Nov. 11) and three park-related dates: April 18, August 25 and September 26th, which are the first day of National Park Week, the birthday of the National Park Service and National Public Lands Day, respectively.
Free days are not only a pleasure for many, but also a way to get more people to try out the parks and become fans. A statement from NPS Deputy Director David Vela pointed out that “Free entrance days serve as additional motivation for people to get outside and enjoy these places of inspiration and recreation.”
Photo: White Sands National Park (nps.gov)
