Last year, more than 285 million people visited national parks and other units of the National Park System, marking 2009 the fifth busiest year ever. For those who like statistics, that means 10 million more Americans and foreign tourists visited national parks than the year before— a 3.9% increase. The all-time visitation record of 287.2 million was set in 1987.
In 2010, the National Park Service is once again offering fee-free days, allowing visitors to check out the nation’s 392 national parks without paying an admission fee that usually ranges from $3 to $25, depending on the park. The fee waiver includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other costs such as reservations, camping, concessions, and fees collected by third parties are not waived. The first fee-free period this year is actually an entire week—National Parks Week, April 17-25. In addition, Saturday, April 24 is also National Junior Ranger Day, so children can take part in kid-friendly activities and earn their very own junior ranger patch!
Fortunately, Portlanders live within a few hour’s drive of two scenic treasures— Crater Lake National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. So whether you head north or south on I-5, you can easily explore both. If you’re looking for a much longer road trip or perhaps even flying out of state, consider visiting some of the most popular national parks now—early in the season—before the summer crowds. The Top 10 most visited national parks are:
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina
2. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
3. Yosemite National Park, California
4. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
5. Olympic National Park, Washington
6. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
7. Zion National Park, Utah
8. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
9. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
10. Acadia National Park, Maine
To make your trip even easier on the wallet, and in addition to free admission, many national park concessioners are welcoming visitors with their own special offers— reduced lodging, half price activities, and discounts in the gift shop. Offers vary by park.
Don’t miss out on America’s Best Idea— the national parks. Mark your calendar for future fee-free days— Public Lands Day, September 25, 2010 and Veterans Day, November 11, 2010.
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