People choose to visit U.S. national parks for many reasons. They offer a wealth of outdoor activities to participate in, from hiking and rock climbing to bird watching and water sports. They also offer views that can take one’s breath away.
But the main reason is that it doesn't have to cost a lot to enjoy a getaway to a national park. One can choose to spend as little or as much as one wants, since camping is cheap and most activities are free.
Some of the major parks do charge an admission fee, though, to cover the costs of upkeep. These parks, like Yellowstone in Wyoming, can get millions of visitors every year, so the money goes to good use.
Fee-Free Days at U.S. National Parks
Since national parks are public lands, the National Park Service waives admission fees several times throughout the year, to encourage people to get out and visit.
These days are usually spread out throughout the year to make it easier to take advantage of the savings.
For 2011, the U.S. National Park Service has designated the following dates as free admission days to all of its 394 parks:
- January 15-17 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Weekend)
- April 16-24 (National Park Week, which usually coincides with Earth Day)
- June 21 (First Day of Summer)
- September 24 (Public Lands Day)
- November 11-13 (Veterans Day Weekend)
In-park Vendors Offer Additional Savings
To save money, many parks contract out things like stores and tours to outside companies. During the above fee-free days, many of these third-party vendors will be offering extra discounts to park visitors. These can include things like lodging and boat rentals.
There are other ways to keep costs down, such as bringing in a cooler of food and drinks for the group to share, extra batteries for cameras. Just remember to properly dispose of all garbage.
With almost 400 national parks across this country, chances are there is at least one within a day's drive of most metropolitan areas. These range from well-known parks like The Everglades in Florida, the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Olympic National Park in Washington to smaller, equally stunning gems like Big Bend in Texas, Crater Lake in Oregon and Isle Royale in Michigan.
The National Park Service offers great online resources for planning a trip during the fee-free days, with information on fun family activities, junior ranger programs and a full listing of all national parks in the United States.
Don't pass up a chance to enjoy some of America's best scenery for free. It's sure to be a budget trip that's unforgettable for all.
Michelle Snow - Michelle Snow been a freelance journalist and photographer for over twenty years, specializing in travel and entertainment. She got her ...
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