Everglades National Park plans free weekends

June 12, 1:22 PMMiami Travel ExaminerGeorge Leposky

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The Shark Valley observation tower’s spiraling ramp rises to an observation
platform 45 feet above the ground. © 2008 George Leposky 

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Everglades National Park  is among 147 U.S. national parks that will waive entrance fees for three weekends during this summer of 2009.

The free weekends are:

• June 20-21 (Father’s Day weekend).
• July 18-19.
• August 15-16.

For an entry pass that is good for seven consecutive days, Everglades National Park normally charges $10 per private vehicle, or $5 for an individual 17 years and older who enters with a bicycle or motorcycle, or on foot.

Tram tour bargain

Also on these weekends, the Shark Valley Tram Tours will discount its fees. If you buy one ticket at the regular price, the second ticket of equal or lesser value will be half-price.

Standard fees are $16.25 for adults, $15.25 for seniors 62 years of age and older, and $10 for children between three and 12 years of age. 

During the summer, the tram tours leave the Shark Valley parking area at 9:30 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM.  Reservations are advisable. To make them, call 305-221-8455.

The two-hour tour follows a 15-mile loop road through the “river of grass” – the sawgrass prairie at the northern end of Everglades National Park. Visitors routinely sight alligators, large wading birds, and other wildlife. Naturalists trained by the park staff identify these creatures, and explain the complexities of this unique ecosystem.

School children line up in front of the Shark
Valley tram. © 2008 George Leposky
 

At the midpoint of the tour, the trams stop at the Shark Valley observation tower so visitors can climb its spiraling ramp to the observation platform, 45 feet above the ground, for a 360-degree panoramic view of the Everglades. On a clear day, you can see 20 miles in every direction.

Dry Tortugas also included

Also included in the free national park weekends program is Dry Tortugas National Park, a cluster of seven islands almost 70 miles west of Key West, FL.  It’s the site of Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century military installation and prison that is undergoing restoration. 

The normal entrance fee for Dry Tortugas National Park is $5 per person for a seven-day pass, for visitors 17 years and older.

Salazar comments

According to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, the goal of the free national park weekends is to increase tourism and boost the economy. “During these tough economic times, our national parks provide opportunities for affordable vacations for families,” Salazar said at a recent press conference. “National Parks also serve as powerful economic engines for local communities and we hope that promoting visitation will give a small shot in the arm to businesses in the area.”

Like the Shark Valley Tram Tours, concessionaires and vendors at other parks also will offer discounts and special promotions on the free weekend dates. To learn more.

The National Park Service operates 391 national parks in 49 states. The free weekends are being offered at the 147 parks that charge admission, which ranges from $3 to $25.  Admission is always free at the other 244 parks (including Biscayne National Park east of Homestead, FL). 

The entrance fee waiver does not include other fees collected for camping, reservations, tours, etc.

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                    Free national park weekends