This Weekend, Visit the National Parks for Free!

Mark your calendar, campers, trekkers, and wanderers: From April 19th to 27th, National Park Week is back.

The National Park Service (NPS) has announced that all 401 national parks will kick off the week with free admission on the 19th and 20th. Some locations will also host special events and programs (check out more more info and a calendar of events to start planning).

This year’s theme is “Go Wild,” emphasizing the diversity of the park system’s landscapes, wildlife, and adventure activities. Embrace the spirit by visiting the glacial lakes of Montana. Or try snorkeling the coral reefs of the Virgin Islands. How about stargazing the night skies of Far West Texas?

If you can’t make it to the Great Outdoors this week, the NPS offers free-admission days throughout the year, including on August 25 (the National Park Service birthday), September 27 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day). A full list of free days can be found on the NPS website. And frequent visitors can always purchase a national-parks season pass ($80).

Are you planning on participating in National Park Week? Share your itinerary in the comments below.

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