National parks are great any time of year (yes, even in winter), but if you don’t want to shell out for the park pass, take advantage of the National Park Service’s fee free days this year. Here are all of them.
Unlike 2016, when there were two free weeks in addition to the normal days off to celebrate the National Park Service’s centennial year, 2017 has just ten free days. Most of the dates are in spring or fall, so you can enjoy the parks when they’re blooming or changing to fall colors.
January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 20: Presidents Day
April 15-16: Weekend before National Park Week
April 22-23: Weekend after National Park Week
August 25: National Park Service Birthday
September 30: National Public Lands Day
November 11-12: Veterans Day Weekend
Of course, the free days are likely to be popular, so if you plan to camp or stay at nearby accommodations, make your reservations now to beat the crowds. You can always find ways to enjoy the parks, even the popular ones like Yosemite, without dealing with crowds. For example, you can use an app like Chimani to plan out your trip or discover less trekked hiking paths.
National Park Service Announces Fee Free Days for 2017 | National Park Service
Image from nakashi.