One of the best places to enjoy a low cost getaway remains America's national parks. There's plenty of things to see and do, plus it encourages people to spend some quality time together.
Add to that the fact that most Americans live within a day's drive of a national park, and there's no reason not to take a quick getaway to the great outdoors.
How about a little more incentive? How about no entrance fee? Many of the national parks never charge a fee, but for those that do, these fees will be waived twice in the coming months.
National Parks Waive Fees for Two Days This Fall
The first day to plan a fee-free getaway will be September 25, 2010.
This is National Public Lands Day, which is when people across the country volunteer for the day to improve and enhance the national parks. In 2009, 150,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, removed trash and invasive plants, planted trees and restored water resources.
The second fee-free day this fall will be on November 11, 2010, which is also Veterans Day in the U.S.
What Does Fee-Free Mean?
Fee-free refers to the entrance fees most U.S. National Parks members collect to pay for things like upkeep, staff and more. This means visiting during the no-fee week can save up to $25 per vehicle.
However, there still may be fees charged for things like campground rentals, as well as service items like tours, food and beverages, etc. Since these are all optional items, it’s up to the individual as to how much is spent. Of course, it’s possible to minimize expenses here as well by doing things like bringing in a cooler full of drinks and food for the group to share. Just be sure not to leave any garbage lying around.
Where are the National Parks?
The U.S. National Park Service operates and maintains 392 parks across the country. These include internationally known parks like the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the Everglades in Florida, and Yellowstone in Wyoming, as well as smaller gems like Joshua Tree in California, Crater Lake in Oregon and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
A complete listing of all of these destinations, as well as suggestions on fun family activities to do inside these parks, can be found at the National Park Service website.
If planning to stay overnight, be sure to reserve a campsite in advance, especially at the extremely popular parks.
These fee-free days will make for a great budget getaway, so make the most of the opportunity.
Michelle Snow - Michelle Snow been a freelance journalist and photographer for over twenty years, specializing in travel and entertainment. She got her ...
Join the Conversation