National Parks Offer Free Admission this Weekend

WASHINGTON – 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 & 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 August 14 & 15, September 25, and November 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 other 245 national parks do not charge entrance fees, so you can plan inexpensive visits year round!