Grab Your Calendars: National Parks Are Free 16 Days in 2016

All 409 parks waive fees to celebrate NPS centennial

By The Editors
January 7, 2016 9:00 am

If you resolved to spend more time in the great outdoors in 2016, someone out there is listening.

Because yesterday, the National Park Service announced that they’re offering free entry to all 409 National Parks on 16 days in 2016 to celebrate their 100th birthday. The first such date — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 18 — is rapidly approaching.  

The longest stretch of gratis entry will last from April 16- 24 during National Parks Week and the next long stint will be from August 25-28 for the Park Service’s birthday.

In addition to those dates, “America’s Best Idea” will be free for National Public Lands Day on September 14 and on November 11 in honor of Veterans Day. 

The perks go beyond waiving the usual entrance fees for the parks that have them  commercial tour and transportation entrance charges will also be eliminated for the designated free days.

If you can’t make it any time during the Calendar of Free, bring your family along and make use of the Every Kid in a Park program which gets fourth graders and their familes in without charge.

Plan your long weekends now.

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