By With spring finally here, Americans across the country can’t wait to get outside. April is an especially great month for enjoying nature’s beauty, as plants—from tulips and daffodils to cherry blossoms and lilacs—are starting to bloom. U.S. national parks are some of the best spots to admire not only colorful flowers this time of year, but stunning landscapes and active wildlife too. Soon, you can experience their wonders for yourself at absolutely no cost for one day in April. Keep reading to learn more about when you can enter any of the national parks for free and how to enjoy a unique volunteer experience.
How to visit the national parks for free in April
To kick off this year’s National Park Week, the National Park Service (NPS) is waiving entry fees for any location that normally charges admission. These parks usually have an entrance fee calculated per private vehicle or per person.
In general, “per person” fees fall in the $10-$15 range, while those paying the “private vehicle” cost can typically expect to be charged between $25-$35. (Seniors who are at least 62-years-old can get a discounted annual pass).
But on April 19, visitors can enjoy all these beautiful sites (which include parks, monuments and recreation areas) for free!
Here are some locations that will have fees waived on the date:
- Acadia National Park (Maine)
- Arches National Park (Utah)
- Big Bend National Park (Texas)
- Crater Lake National Park (Oregon)
- Everglades National Park (Florida)
- Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
- Isle Royal National park (Michigan)
- Joshua Tree National Park (California)
- Prince William Forest Park (Virginia)
- Thomas Edison National Historical Park (New Jersey)
- White Sands National Park (New Mexico)
- Yellowstone National Park (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming)
To find a national park near you or one you’d like to visit, view the full list here. You can filter by state, parking/transportation and if the park requires timed entry.
Other ways to get involved with the national parks in April
National Park Week isn’t the only holiday the NPS is celebrating this month. The agency will also be recognizing National Volunteer Week, which runs April 20-26.
They encourage anyone who is interested in donating some of their time to join the “Volunteers-In-Parks” (VIP) program. You can volunteer for just a day or continue to contribute on a long-term, year-round basis at any of the parks across the country. There’s even a calendar available online that shows specific events available for volunteer participation.
However, you can also reach out directly to a national park to see how you may be able to help!
Examples of opportunities for volunteers, according to the NPS website:
- Maintaining trails or historic buildings
- Serving as a campground host
- Monitoring wildlife or conducting research
- Supporting libraries or museums in parks
- Swear in new Junior Rangers in the visitor center
- Lead or support educational programs for the public
Where to enjoy free admission on Earth Day
If you can’t get to a National Park on April 19, there’s another upcoming opportunity for you to immerse yourself in nature at no cost! In honor of Earth Day on April 22, many arboretums and botanical gardens throughout the country offer free admission.
Botanic gardens are institutions that have collections of living plants meant to be used for research, education, conservation and display. There’s also usually a greater focus on conserving rare and threatened plants. Arboretums are a specific type of botanical garden that focus primarily on trees and/or woody plants. Many botanical gardens also include trees, but usually have a wider variety of plants.
Making a visit to either of these garden types will give you a chance to admire a plethora of springtime blooms—without paying a dime.
