National Parks celebrate 101st birthday with free entrance

NPS photo by Richard Spener

WASHINGTON – To celebrate the 101st birthday of the National Park Service on August 25, 2017, the NPS and the National Park Foundation are inviting visitors of all ages to #FindYourPark/#EncuentraTuParque with free admission to the more than 400 national parks across the country.

In addition, to have a little fun with the 101st birthday, a special Parks 101 content series is highlighting lesser-known parks, stories, and experiences through social media.

With 417 parks across the country, plus national trails, rivers, heritage areas, and more, there are countless ways to celebrate the 101st birthday of the National Park Service. Many parks and programs are planning special events, including:

Park entrance fees will be waived nationwide on August 25 to encourage everyone to celebrate the NPS 101st birthday. Usually, 118 of the 417 national parks charge entrance fees that range from $3 to $30.The entrance fee waiver does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

“From New York to Topeka to Honolulu and places in between, parks are in all corners of the United States and four U.S. territories,” said Acting National Park Service Director Michael T. Reynolds. “Our 101st birthday is the perfect time to explore parks and stories that may be new to you -- whether it’s a park in your community or across the country.”

Share this article: