National Park Week weekend April 22–23 is the perfect time for a family outing to one of the National Parks and Monuments to take advantage of the *free entrance days.
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| Bandelier National Monument dwellings in New Mexico. (Julianne G. Crane) |
The National Park Service invites everyone “to discover American history in all its diversity, from the homes of poets and Presidents to ancient archeological places (such as New Mexico’s Bandelier National Monument pictured) to the sobering stories of Civil War soldiers and civilians to the legacy of a courageous woman
who refused to give up her seat on a bus. Our history is part of who we
were, who we are, and who we will be,” according to the NPS web site.
America’s “national parks, wildlife refuges, forests and other public
lands offer every American a place to get outdoors, learn about our
nation’s history and culture, and restore our spirits.” By providing
free admission, all Americans can visit and enjoy these extraordinary
treasures that belong to all of us.
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| Kids having fun. (NPS Photo) |
Other free days that remain in 2017 include:
• Friday, Aug. 25, National Park Service birthday.
• National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 30.
• Veterans Day Weekend: Nov. 11-12.
* “Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.”
The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the 117 national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. Start Planning Your Visit.
For non-free days, consider America the Beautiful Passes:
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| Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah (Marcel Robicheaux) |
While you and your family are visiting a national park or monument, think about picking up one of six available passes.
“A pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife
refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national
forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land
Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” according to park officials.
The following passes are available:
- Annual Pass — Cost: $80, available for everyone.
- Free Annual Pass for U.S. Military — Current U.S. military members and dependents.
- Free Annual 4th Grade Pass — Check out the Every Kid in a Park program.
- Senior Pass — $10 lifetime pass for those age 62 and over.
- Free Access Pass — Lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
- Free Volunteer Pass — For volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.
Find the nearest national park to you by clicking here.
– Julianne G. Crane
For more on the RV lifestyle, click on RVWheelLife.com
Photos: Top: RVer Jimmy Smith explores a series of dwellings carved into the rock cliffs of Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. For information on camping, click here. (Julianne G. Crane). Middle: Happy youngsters having fun outdoors (NPS Photo) Bottom: RVers Julianne G. Crane and Jimmy Smith near Sunset Point in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. Click here for camping information. (Marcel Robicheaux).
##RVT789
Usually there are no problems "entering" the parks on free days … however, if you want to camp during those free times, I highly recommend making reservations through ReserveAmerica.com.
I'm sure there will be NO problem getting into the parks on these free days.
Tongue firmly pressed into my cheek . . .