This year, while you are planning your vacations and trips,
you might be able to take advantage of some of the fee free days in the
national parks. This year, 2016, the National Park service is 100 years old.
Sixteen different days will have free entry into the parks.
The free days are January 18, 2016, Martin Luther King Jr.
Day; April 16 through April 24, 2016, National Park Week; August 25 through
August 28, 2016, National Park Service Birthday; September 24, 2016, National
Public Lands Day; and November 11, 2016, Veterans Day.
Throughout the country, you’ll find 409 national parks. Of
those, 127 charge an entrance fee. On the days listed, the entrance fee at
those parks will be waived. The fee waiver includes commercial tour fees,
entrance fees and transportation entrance fees. Camping, reservation,
concession and tour fees are not waived. Fees charged by third parties are not
waived.
Park Passes
A park pass covers the entrance fees at over 2,000 federal
recreation sites including national parks and national wildlife refuges. The
pass covers day use fees, standard amenity fees and entrance fees for up to
four adults per vehicle. Children aged 15 years or younger are admitted free.
The annual pass is $80 and is available to everyone. You can
obtain one of these passes at any federal recreation site or by calling (888)
275-8747, Ext. 3 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Mountain time or online. The
annual passes are non-transferable.
If you are a current U.S. military member in the Navy, Army,
Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reserves, you can pick up a
free annual pass. This must be picked up in person at a federal recreation site
and you must show your common access card or military ID.
The annual 4th grad pass is for 4th graders including
home-schooled children who are 10 years of age. Children must have a valid
Every Kid in a Park pass. Children may obtain these passes during the 4th grade
school year and they are valid through the following summer. The paper Every
Kid in a Park pass is available at Every Kid in a Park website and can be
exchanged for the free 4th grade pass at any recreation site that charges an
entrance fee or standard amenity fees.
A lifetime senior pass is available for $10. Residents must
be 62 or older to be eligible for a senior pass. The senior passes are
available at federal recreation sites.
Visit Gardner’s RV and Trailer Center
If you think spending weekends and vacations at parks sounds
like fun but you’re done with tent camping, stop by Gardner’s RV and Trailer
Center to walk through the many RV floor plans we have available.