Park Service says, "Come visit for free"

The Park Service wants you to come and see your national treasures, and is waiving the gate fees for 17 days in 2011. Department of Interior boss, Ken Salazar says, "In these tough economic times, our fee-free days will give families many opportunities to enjoy our nation's heritage and natural beauty in meaningful and affordable ways."

Those free, "meaningful and affordable" days are: The weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
(January 15-17), National Park Week (April 16-24), the first day of summer (June 21), National Public Lands Day (September 24), and the weekend of Veterans Day (November 11-13).

Fees for other park services like campground costs are NOT waived on these free admission days.

photo: Zion National Park, R & T DeMaris

Free Admission to National Parks on Veterans Day Nov. 11

In honor of all the men and women in our armed services, the Department of the Interior announced that it will waive all entrance fees to public recreation land--the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation--on Wednesday, November 11, 2009.

In a news release, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, said, “The sacrifices and achievements of the brave men and women of our armed forces can never be understated. We invite all of our visitors to enjoy this fee-free day and take time out on this national holiday to remember our service men and women who are currently serving overseas in harm’s way. ”

Only entrance fees are waived. Fees associated with camping, lodging or other activities will be collected.