Monday, January 9, 2012

Martin Luther King day celebrated by National Parks with free admission

Selma  to Montgomery Nat. Historic Trail
All 397  national  parks  across  the  country will offer free admission from January 14 through 16 to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

You  can literally walk in Dr. King's footsteps at Martin Luther King, Jr. National  Historic  Site   in  Georgia, the  Selma  to Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama, or the Lincoln Memorial  in Washington, DC -- just  a few of the many national parks that have direct ties to Dr. King or the Civil Rights movement.

Other parks that will hold special events honoring Dr. King that weekend include the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC, Morristown National Historical Park in New Jersey, Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Tennessee, and Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, DC.

“Dr. King led the fight to realize his dream of a nation free of discrimination, where every citizen was able to enjoy the inalienable rights promised to all Americans,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis.  “Dr. King’s story and those of so many others whose efforts changed our country are preserved in the national parks, places where history happened.  I hope every American can take advantage of the upcoming fee free weekend and visit their parks to experience their history firsthand.”

Your nearest national park can also help you keep that New Year’s resolution, whether it is to get more exercise, spend quality time with family and friends, try a new sport, learn some history, expand your horizons, or enjoy the natural world. There’s something for everyone at a national park, even in the middle of winter. Choices include snow shoe hikes, canoe trips, campfire programs, film festivals, battle reenactments, and music jams. It is also a great time of year to view wildlife such as bison in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming or grey whales at Point Reyes National Seashore in California. A list of activities can be on the National Park website.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Free National Park entry days for 2012

Visit the National Park system on several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.

Mark your calendar for these fee-free dates in 2012:

* Jan. 14-16: Martin Luther King Jr. weekend

* April 21-29: National Park Week

* June 9: Get Outdoors Day

* Sept. 29: National Public Lands Day

* Nov. 10-12: Veterans Day weekend

Here's a tip: many of your 397 national parks never charge an entrance fee, So start planning your visit!