By Monica Prelle
Camping Expert, about.com
The National Park Service will celebrate 100 years in 2016. In addition to centennial celebrations, all national parks will offer free admission on 16 days in 2016.
“Fee-free
days provide an extra incentive to visit a national park, especially
during next year’s centennial celebration,” National Park Service
Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said in a statement. “We added extra
fee-free days so that everyone has a chance to join the party. With
locations in every state, finding a national park is easy. The hard part
might be deciding which ones to visit.”
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The Park Service
announced the dates for the 2016 entrance fee free days to our nation's
parks so you can start planning your camping getaways for next year.
More than 2,000 national parks, national forests, national wildlife
refuges, and other federal lands will offer free admittance to oudtoor
enthusiasts this year. Plan your camping trips for next year with this
calendar of free entrance days to our national park!
The National Park fee free dates for 2015 are:
- January 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 16 through 24 – National Park Week
- August 25 through 28 – National Park Service Birthday (and following weekend)
- September 24 – National Public Lands Day
- November 11 – Veterans Day
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fee waiver does not cover expanded amenity or user fees for things such
as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.
Ever
since August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the act
that created the National Park Service, Americans have enjoyed the land
for recreation and conservation. The system includes more than 84
million acres and is comprised of 409 sites with 28 different
designations, including national park, national historical park,
national monument, national recreation area, national battlefield, and
national seashore. Collectively, these sites contain more than 18,000
miles of trails, 27,000 historic and prehistoric structures, 247 species
of threatened and endangered species, and 167 million museum items.
Last year, almost 293 million people visited national parks. The 10 most visited national parks
are popular because of their location, natural wonders, and
opportunities for recreation. If you are planning multiple visits to the
parks in 2016, it might be in your best interest to consider investing
in the $80 the annual America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
that provides entrance to all national parks, national wildlife
refuges, national forests, and many other Federal lands-more than 2,000
in all. The annual pass is offered free to all active duty military
members and their dependents.
National Park Centennial
In celebration of the National Park Service Centennial, the National Park Foundation
is also spearheading a two-year public engagement and education
campaign launching this spring titled “Find Your Park.” The initiative
will highlight the National Park Service’s important work, inviting
people everywhere to connect with their parks and inspiring the next
generation of park stewards.
Other Federal Lands Free Entrance Days
The
Bureau of Land Management, U.S. National Forest Service and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service will also participate in some of the fee free days.
Fees are not traditionally charged on 98 percent of national forests
and grasslands, and approximately two-thirds of developed recreation
sites in national forests and grasslands can be used for free. This
includes opportunities such as camping and picnicking.
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Learn more about free, or "dispersed" camping on public lands.
Additionally, active duty military members and their dependents are eligible for a free annual pass
that provides entrance to lands managed by the National Park Service,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of
Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service.
