Enjoy the great outdoors? Want to explore our country's great lands and wildlife refuges, but can't justify paying to do so? Well, does Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar have some news for you.
Wednesday, Salazar announced that the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Reclamation will waive admittance fees during several dates throughout 2013.
“Our national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests and other public lands offer every American a place to enjoy outdoor recreation, learn about our nation’s history and culture, and restore our souls and spirits by connecting with the natural beauty and wildness of our land,” Salazar said in a statement. “By providing free admission, we are putting out an invitation to all Americans to visit and enjoy these extraordinary treasures that belong to all our people.”
So when can you go for free? Here's the dates and which agencies are participating:
January 21
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
National Park Service
Fish & Wildlife Service
Bureau of Land Management
US Forest Service
April 22 - 26
National Park Week
National Park Service
June 8
Great Outdoors Day
US Forest Service
August 25
National Park Service Birthday
National Park Service
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
September 28
National Public Lands Day
National Park Service
Fish & Wildlife Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
US Forest Service
October 13
National Wildlife Refuge Day
Fish & Wildlife Service
November 9 - 11
Veterans Day weekend
National Park Service
Fish & Wildlife Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
US Forest Service