President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act into law in 1872 and our first national park was born. Since that time, our nation has protected large areas of land across our country to preserve them and create places for public use and enjoyment. There are currently 63 National Parks in addition to dozens of other National Historic Sites, National Preserves, National Military Parks, National Recreation Areas and National Historic Trails that round out the National Park Service’s offerings.
From Atlantic to Pacific and from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, our country has a diverse range of National Parks to visit and each offers its own appeal. You can kayak and white water raft, hike or bike, walk through canyons, valleys and arches, and see amazing views in every direction.
National Parks are terrific places for family vacations. Whether you camp in a tent, RV, or stay in an area hotel or vacation rental property, National Parks are full of activities for families. Most years, each park publishes its own summer calendar full of daily Ranger Program, including guided hikes, star gazing and even campfires. Each park also has its own Junior Ranger Program, something our boys have loved doing all across the country. You can read more about our experience doing the Junior Ranger Programs here.
Most parks charge a $35 admission fee for a 7-day pass, which allows you to enter the park every day for a week. However, through a federal initiative, Every Kid Outdoors, U.S. fourth graders and their family members can get free access to over 2,000 federal lands from September 1 to August 31 each year. And as a special offer, during the 2020-2021 school year, U.S. fifth graders and their family members can also get free access, since so many were unable to travel and visit National Parks in 2020. Students need to print a paper pass to bring to the first park they are visiting and then they will be given a special admission pass to use for the remainder of the park year.
This is an amazing opportunity for students and their families to see the amazing landscapes our country has to offer, learn about protecting our wildlife and resources, look into the past to protect our history and learn more about supporting our healthy planet.
Learn more about the National Parks in your area or plan a trip to visit some place new. The free student passes are good until August 31st, so don’t delay. Or – if you have a younger child, start planning today!
Things to Know Before You Go
Some National Parks are free all the time. Others like Fort Sumter and the Statue of Liberty, require a ferry service to visit them and you will still need to purchase tickets even if you have a pass. Check the website for the park you are visiting to verify all fees ahead of time.
What’s your favorite National Park? Let us know in the comments.
