National parks and forests will be free to the public next Wednesday, November 11th, in recognition of Veterans Day.
“The Department of the Interior is honored to offer this fee free day to thank our nation’s service men and women,” said Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, in an official press release. “The sacrifices and achievements of the brave men and women of our armed forces can never be understated. We invite all of our visitors to enjoy this fee free day and take time out on this national holiday to remember our service men and women who are currently serving overseas in harms way.”
This year’s observance will mark a slight departure from previous years, when only U.S. veterans, active members of the U.S. armed forces, and their families could visit the parks free of charge.
Parks dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of U.S. Citizens who served in the military, like Fort McHenry in Baltimore, and the Battlefield at Little Bighorn in Montana, are sure to draw crowds during the holiday.
While some locations, like the Redwoods National Park, are always free to the public, visitors who want to make the most of the offer can do so at popular sites like the Grand Canyon (where normal charges are $25/private vehicle) or Gettysburg (where an adult ticket costs $10.50).
Visitors should keep in mind that while admission is free, other fees like camping or permits, may not be covered.
Free admission applies to all public recreations lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bureau of Land Management.