Latest news with #GreatAmericanOutdoorsDay
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
You can visit Rocky Mountain National Park, other national parks for free on these days
Are you interested in visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, or any national park in the country, for that matter, but don't want to pay the fee? You won't need to on April 19. That's one of seven fee-free days scheduled for 2025 on public lands managed by the National Park Service. No entry passes or fees will be required April 19 to enter any of the nation's national parks, historic sites or monuments managed by the National Park Service that normally charge entry fees, according to a news release on U.S. Department of the Interior website. Fees and reservations for other services within the parks will still be required. One of the top attractions in Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road, is still under a seasonal closure. Closures are in place at Many Parks Curve on the east side of the park and the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side, according to the park's website. Timed-entry reservations required to enter other areas of the park during certain hours of the day don't go into effect this year until May 23, so visitors should be able to access other park roads, hiking trails and other amenities for free. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of four national parks in Colorado. The others are Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The National Park Service also manages several national monuments, historic sites and one national recreation area in the state. The April 19 fee-free day marks the beginning of National Park Week, the news release said. Other remaining fee-free days in 2025 for parks, monuments and historic sites managed by the National Park Service are scheduled for June 19 (Juneteenth National Independence Day), Aug. 4 (Great American Outdoors Day), Sept. 27 (National Public Lands Day) and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day). Coloradoan reporter Kelly Lyell can be reached at KellyLyell@ Follow him on and This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: When are Rocky Mountain National Park fee-free days in 2025?
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Yahoo
7 Free days to visit U.S. national parks in 2025 (plus extra savings tips)
Travelers regularly ponder when to visit a national park. These sacred treasures hold so much history and natural beauty that there is never a bad day to visit. However, free entry always makes everything better. The National Park Service (NPS) offers seven entrance fee-free days in 2025 to celebrate national parks and promote outdoor recreation. The United States houses over 400 park sites managed by the NPS. Many parks charge an entrance fee, typically $5 to $35. This year, guests can visit any of these sites without paying an admission fee on the following days: January 9 - National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter, Jr. January 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day April 19 - First day of National Park Week June 19 - Juneteenth National Independence Day August 4 - Great American Outdoors Day September 28 - National Public Lands Day November 11 - Veterans Day If these dates do not work with your schedule, other ways exist to save money. The NPS offers passes and discounts to U.S. military families, military veterans, disabled citizens, senior citizens, and fourth graders. Visit the NPS site for details. An America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 but gives you access to all our national parks. Consider a road trip to regions with multiple parks nearby to maximize the yearly pass. Where can you find these areas? Although separate parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are so close that the NPS treats them as one giant park. You automatically get access to the other when you pay an entrance fee. Two parks for the price of one is an easy win for travelers. Sequoia National Park boasts the world's most giant tree and the tallest mountain in the continental United States. Kings Canyon has the planet's second-largest tree by trunk volume, and its natural beauty rivals that of Yosemite National Park. Although not a full-fledged national park, Mount Rushmore is a national memorial managed by the NPS. South Dakota's famous landmark is about an hour from Wind Cave National Park and an hour and a half from Badlands National Park. Travelers can quickly access three iconic park sites. The area comprises many other significant destinations, including Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park. Wind Cave is renowned for its unique calcite formations called boxwork. The cave contains more boxwork than all other caves combined. Badlands National Park showcases vast mixed-grass prairies and otherworldly layered canyons, buttes, and spires. Guests regularly spot bison, prairie dogs, and bighorn sheep in the park. Yellowstone, America's first national park, and Grand Teton sit within miles of each other, offering visitors an opportunity to explore two parks with stunning natural beauty, exotic wildlife, and unique geological formations. Yellowstone proudly boasts hydrothermal features, including the famous Old Faithful Geyser. Visitors from all around the world come to see the geyser faithfully erupt with predictable regularity. Grand Teton is known for its namesake mountains, one of the youngest ranges of the Rocky Mountains. Both parks offer rewarding hikes and scenic drives with the potential of spotting wildlife nearly around every bend. Although in two different states, Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, is a quick 45-minute drive from Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas. Travelers can access the parks from the same road, the National Parks Highway. Carlsbad Caverns features the Big Room, an aptly named cavern 750 feet underground. The Big Room Trail is 1.25 miles, treating guests to breathtaking views of stalactites and stalagmites, some delicate, others massive. Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers rewarding hikes through rocky canyons and rugged mountains. The park's namesake peak is the highest point in Texas. The state of Utah harbors five beautiful national parks with two adjacent pairs. Only an easy half-hour drive separates Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. Bryce Canyon and Zion sit about an hour and a half apart. Between the two pairs, Capitol Reef National Park is approximately 2.5 hours from Bryce Canyon and 3 hours from Canyonlands. Travelers can visit one of the park pairs on a weekend getaway or all five parks during a more extended trip. Utah presents a unique opportunity as a springboard for national park enthusiasts. Travelers can drive from Canyonlands to Black Canyon of the Gunnison or Mesa Verde in Colorado in approximately 3 hours. Zion National Park is about 3.5 hours from the Grand Canyon's North Rim or 5 hours from its South Rim. Beyond admission fees, consider weather and crowd levels when planning your visit. The NPS maintains a website for each national park where you can find information on hours of operation, weather, current conditions, activities, and guided tours. Each park sets its hours, which may vary seasonally. Many parks offer more summer activities due to weather and staffing. You may discover fewer areas to explore in winter. Visit the specific park website for current information before your trip. May through September is a great time to visit most parks, so you have improved odds of decent weather and plenty of activities. Crowd levels in most parks typically peak from June through August. Now is the time to plan your 2025 national park adventure. The NPS recently announced seven days to visit any national park site without paying an entrance fee. Your wallet can remain heavy while your heart and mind get enlightened by stunning natural beauty in the great outdoors.
