Fees on the way into Great Falls Park, Shenandoah National Park, and other natural sites will be waived on April 20. The date marks the first day of National Park Week, and it’s one of the National Park Service’s six fee-free days this year.
The free entrance days apply to the 400-plus parks operated by the National Park Service. Among them are the popular nearby sites like Great Falls and Shenandoah, as well as some smaller parks like Prince William Forest Park.
National Park Week, which is intended to celebrate all aspects of the parks, runs from April 20 to 28. Each day has a theme. Here are the days and themes:
- Saturday, April 20: Discovery
- Sunday, April 21: Volunteers
- Monday, April 22: Earth Day
- Tuesday, April 23: Innovation
- Wednesday, April 24: Workforce Wednesday
- Thursday, April 25: Youth Engagement
- Friday, April 26: Community Connections
- Saturday, April 27: Junior Ranger Day
- Sunday, April 28: Arts in Parks
These are the future fee-free days in store for the rest of the year:
- June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- September 28: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
Some parks are always free, while others range in price from $10 to $35. Shenandoah National Park, for example, charges $15 for a walkup and $30 for a vehicle. All funds from park entrance fees stay within the park service, according to a news release, and 80 to 100 percent remains in the park where it was collected.
Park fees support visitor services, restoring wildlife, ranger services, and upgrading facilities.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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