Enjoy the National Parks for Free April 16th-24th!

We're never far from a National Park here in Washington. So it's hard not to get excited about the upcoming Fee Free days during National Park Week.

That's right: from April 16-24th, admittance to all National Parks Units will be completely free of charge. That includes all fourteen of Washington's National Parks, Historic Sites and Recreation Areas, from Mount Rainier to the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.

This year's theme "Healthy Parks, Healthy People" aims to get visitors up and active during their time in the nation's 394 National Parks. Though we hikers might not need any more of an excuse to get out onto the trails in the Olympics or North Cascades, families will enjoy the many kid-friendly and educational events going on throughout the park system:

• April 16th-National Volunteer Day

                 Junior Ranger Day (Olympic NP)  

                 Greenhouse Day (Olympic NP)

• April 19th- North Cascades Highway Litter Pickup Day (North Cascades NP)

• April 21st- Newhalem Creek Campground Work Day (North Cascades NP)

• April 23rd- National Junior Ranger Day

For more information, take a look at the National Park Week Website, and at the events pages for the Olympic NP, North Cascades NP and Mount Rainier NP.

Before you go, make sure to find a hike in our Hiking Guide and check out suggestions for family-friendly hikes in and around the National Parks.

Also, mark your calendars with up-coming Fee Free Days on June 21st, September 24th and November 11-13th!