WASHINGTON (TND) — National Parks Week begins this weekend, and to celebrate, admission to the annual event will be waived.
This week-long event, held in more than 400 parks across the country, begins on Saturday, April 20th and runs through Sunday, April 28th.
Outdoor enthusiasts can find and enjoy parks miles away or nearby.
Saturday is designated as a ‘free entry day’ in all national parks.
National Park Service spokeswoman Kathy Kupfer said the majority of parks already offer free admission each day, but she hopes this week will increase awareness and visitation to national parks.
“Our way is to encourage people to visit the parks on our list and provide a little incentive to go to that park and discover what there is to see and do in that park,” said Kupfer. he told The National. desk.
The National Park Service oversees 429 locations across the United States, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Big Bend National Parks.
Beyond the popular parks that people visit as part of a big destination vacation, there are also parks that offer experiences that require little planning.
If you have limited time to explore the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Hot Springs in Arkansas, the Indiana Sand Dunes near Lake Michigan, or Congaree in central South Carolina, here are some national parks that are less overwhelming in size .
The National Park website has a list of all its parks. Kupfer said the public can find their nearest national park on a website or app if they’re considering a weekend getaway or need a place to walk or jog.
Special activities are also planned throughout the United States this week.
“So we’re going to have everything from concerts and festivals to night sky programs,” Kupfer said.
Programs like “Junior Ranger” will be held on Saturday, April 27, also known as “National Junior Ranger Day” for children.
“There are lots of activities for kids where they can try on different types of clothing, whether it’s ranger clothing or firefighter gear. work in the national park, go on a treasure hunt, fill out a booklet, participate in a game, etc.,” Kupfer explained.
Young children will be sworn in as official “Junior Rangers” and receive a badge they can take home.
Each day next week will have a theme. If you’re thinking of heading outdoors, Kupfer recommends following the National Park Service’s guidelines: Social media Let’s see what comes next week.
NPS.gov and its app list all the basic information for each park. Park officials recommend visiting the website or downloading the app to plan your visit.
“National parks have something for everyone, whether you’re looking for inspiration, exhilaration or relaxation,” Kupfer added.
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