The National Park Service has announced the days when visitors can get into dozens of national parks for free in the new year.
The entrance fee-free days for 2024 are:
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- Jan. 15 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- April 20 – First day of National Park Week.
- June 19 – Juneteenth.
- Aug. 4 – Great American Outdoors Day.
- Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day.
- Nov. 11 – Veterans Day.
On those days, the entry fee is waived, but fees still apply for camping, boat launches, transportation, special tours or other activities.
“National parks are places that awaken senses, inspire curiosity, encourage reflection, and foster joy,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said in a news release. “The entrance fee-free days expand opportunities for people to visit their national parks and experience the beauty and history of our country.”
Not every national park has an entrance fee — more than 300 of 400 national parks are free — but those that do charge can cost between $10 and $35.
The revenue supports park upgrades, ranger programs, the restoration of wildlife habitats, maintenance and more.
There are 14 national parks in Texas, including the popular Big Bend National Park, Padre Island National Seashore and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
San Antonio is home to the four NPS sites — Missions Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada, located on the South Side along the San Antonio River. The Missions are also the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas.
The Missions have free entry every day of the year. In Texas, the national parks that do have an entry fee are:
People who want to visit national parks several days out of the year can buy the $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which covers entry at more than 2,000 federal recreation areas and national parks.
NPS also offers a variety of discounts for certain people, like members of the military, fourth-grade students, individuals with permanent disabilities, and senior citizens.
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