Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Instagram
[MM_Member_Decision isMember='true'] MY ACCOUNT LOG OUT [/MM_Member_Decision] [MM_Member_Decision isMember='false'] subscriber log in [/MM_Member_Decision]
Product was added to your cart

Cart

  • Home
  • Destinations
  • Tips & Tricks
    • On The Road
    • Saving Money
    • Gadgets & Tech
    • Health & Safety
  • Deals
  • News
  • Courses
  • Shop
  • Podcast
  • About
  • Contact

News

NAVIGATION The Voyage Report > News > All U.S. National Parks Free This Saturday for National Park Week 2018

All U.S. National Parks Free This Saturday for National Park Week 2018

April 20, 2018by The Voyage Report
Grand Canyon National Park Service National Park Week 2018
Badlands National Park; courtesy: U.S. National Park Service

WASHINGTON (TVR) – The United States National Park Service is waiving fees at all National Parks for one day this weekend to celebrate National Park Week 2018, part of a series of four days this year when America’s preserved lands will be free to all.

This Saturday, April 21, is fee-free to commemorate the start of the week-long National Park Week 2018.

-–>EVENT: Learn to Travel for Less with Travel Talk Events

There are more than 400 parks overseen by the U.S. National Park Service; 117 of them normally charge entrance fees.

This is the second free day of 2018; others are September 22 and November 11.

Find a national park near you.

hiking trails Stone Arch National Park

–>RELATED: 5 Amazing Hiking Trails in the United States

–>RELATED: Extraordinary Pilot Shortage Threatens Flights

–>RELATED: American Tourists Warned of Tainted Alcohol in Mexico

National Park Week 2018 Starts Saturday

Entrance fees at the 30% of national parks that charge them generally range from between $3-$30.

Free Entrance Days, such as the one this Saturday at the start of National Park Week, waive entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees, the U.S. National Park Service says.

However, “reservation, camping, tours, concession, and fees collected by third parties,” are still assessed.

TSA Stricter Screening

–>VIDEO: How We Save 50%-80% Off Every Flight

–>RELATED: After Viral Videos, Airline Bumping Hits Record Low

–->SUPPORT: Help Support Our Journalism & Original Content

National Park Service Free Days Lake McDonald Glacier National Park

Lake McDonald at Glacier National Park; courtesy: NPS & David Restivo

National Park Free Days Cut 60%

The National Park Service cut the number of free days from 10 last year to just four this year.

“Fewer fee-free days means additional revenue to improve facilities, address deferred maintenance issues, and enhance the overall park experience for visitors,” an NPS spokesperson said in December.

“Instead of pushing massive increases to entrance fees and cutting fee-free days, [U.S. Interior Secretary] Ryan Zinke should ensure all Americans have access to our parks and public lands,” Jesse Prentice-Dunn at the Center for Western Priorities said in a statement.

In addition, the cost of a National Parks Senior Pass recently septupled—spiking 700% from $10 to $80.

It’s the first increase of any kind since 1994 to the Senior Pass, which allows unlimited, lifetime access to America’s national parks and up to 50% off some amenity fees.

The National Park Service (NPS) says it hiked the cost to generate additional revenue which will be used “to enhance the visitor experience in parks.”

NPS blames the move on Congress, which passed Centennial Legislation requiring the Senior Pass be equal to the cost of the Lands Pass, which is currently $80  per year.

Award Seat Availability–>RELATED: Lower Fares ‘Likely to Fade’ as Air Travel Hits 12-Year High

–>RELATED: Labor Day Travel Bookings Underway; Top Departure Dates

–>RELATED: Sweat While You Soar: Gyms Coming to Airports, Airplanes

National Park Discounts Year-Round

The legislation also established a new annual Senior Pass for $20.

The National Park Service does offer discounts to certain groups of people year-round.

For example, fourth graders get a free annual pass through the Every Kid in a Park program.

In addition, active duty military members as well as people with a permanent disability are also eligible for free annual passes.

Discounted or free passes are also available for volunteers.

-–>SIGN UP: For more news, get The Voyage Report newsletter for FREE

Checked Gadgets Baggage Electronics Ban

–>TIPS: 10 Ways to Protect Checked Gadgets

–>TIPS: The Best, Must-Have Travel Apps

–>TIPS: 9 Smart Ways for Flying With Kids

Glacier National Park National Park Service NPS

Lake McDonald Public Dock, Glacier National Park; courtesy: U.S. National Park Service


Warning: Use of undefined constant id - assumed 'id' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/customer/www/voyagereport.com/public_html/wp-content/themes/Impreza-child/functions.php on line 579

Warning: Illegal string offset 'id' in /home/customer/www/voyagereport.com/public_html/wp-content/themes/Impreza-child/functions.php on line 579
United States
From sea to shining sea, explore America’s hidden gems: underwater National trail, thunderous buffalo roundup, and a memorial still being built after 70 years.

What’s your favorite National Park? Let us know in the comment section below!

–>TIPS: 15 Money-Saving Ideas for Fall

–>DEAL ALERT: Teachers Get Travel Discounts in NYC, U.S.

–>TIPS: How to Use Airline Gift Cards to Save Money on Airfare

The Voyage Report
The Voyage Report - Get the scoop on travel! Thank you for supporting our journalism, original content, and photography.
Previous post DEAL ALERT: Amtrak National 3-Day Senior Sale; Additional Savings Next post Sunday’s Travel Column: Civic Travel to Inspire Your Soul

Got a Tip? Share it! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Travel should be enjoyable for everyone, so no inappropriate comments, please. For more, read the Responsible Use and Conduct section in our Terms of Service. Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks with your fellow travelers!

More News

  • National Park Fees Rise Hazel Mountain Overlook-Shenandoah Natl Park Higher National Park Fees Take Effect Today; Free Days Cut June 1, 2018
  • Great Wall of China Sonic Attack U.S. Warns of Sonic Attack in China; Similar to Cuba Assaults on Americans May 29, 2018
  • Memorial Day weekend beach pool sun water Worst Times for Memorial Day Weekend Travel; Top Congested Destinations May 24, 2018

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

  • On The Road
  • Saving Money
  • Gadgets & Tech
  • Health & Safety

Book Travel

Sign up for our Newsletter

Get the scoop on the latest news, money-saving tips, videos, deals, and more!(our on-time record is better than the airlines’)

We promise we don’t spam or sell your email address.
BE A CONTRIBUTOR
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Instagram

[MM_Member_Decision isMember='false'] SUBSCRIBE SIGN IN [/MM_Member_Decision] [MM_Member_Decision isMember='true'] MY ACCOUNT SIGN OUT [/MM_Member_Decision]

The Voyage Report

Home About Us Contact Terms of Service Privacy Policy

Popular Destinations

  • France
  • Morocco
  • Peru
  • Israel
  • Bali

Travel Tips

On The Road Saving Money Tech & Gadgets Health & Safety

Explore

Deals News Podcast Courses Shop

Sign up for our Newsletter

Get the scoop on travel, including the latest news, money-saving tips, videos, deals, and more
Are you a passionate journalist? Become a Contributor.

VoyageReport.com © 2017-2018 The Travel Lede, LLC