Good news today for American Roadtrippers on a tight budget in these troubling economic times.Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that entry fees at 147 of America's National Parks and Monuments will be waived on 3 weekends this summer.
The dates are June 20-12, July 18-19 and August 15-16.
Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Mount Rainier, Zion, Arches, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Bryce Canyon, Crater Lake, Devils Tower, Big Bend, Canyonlands and 134 more National Parks and Monuments are included.
In 2008 America's National Park system had over 275 million visits, accounting for approximately $10.6 billion for the local economies providing supporting services for the parks and supporting over 213,000 jobs.
The National Park Service estimates it will lose about a half millions dollars each day they waive entry fees. I suspect the surrounding areas will more than make up that loss. I would not want to be at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on one of those free days. Or in Yosemite. Or Zion. Or Mount Rainier. Those National Parks can be crowded on a normal day.
1 comment:
I'm very glad you posted this information, we'll be sure to hit the parks the weekend before August 15th...thanks again :)
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