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Fees are an important part of managing public lands, as many recreation opportunities, including OHV recreation opportunities, may be lost absent an opportunity to pay for them outside of the federal budget’s appropriations process. However, the Fee-Free program is a way to thank the millions of public lands visitors and to encourage more people to experience the great outdoors. 

January 12, 2011 - The National Park Service has announced Fee-Free days for 2011.  The program provides several fee free days throughout the year at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.  The Fee-Free Days program was started in 2009 by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to help Americans visit public lands in our National Parks during the economic downturn.

Salazar Announces National Park Service Will Waive Fees on Three Summer Weekends to Increase Tourism, Boost Economy

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio (Jun 2, 2009) – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the National Park Service will offer three fee-free weekends this summer to encourage Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit these national treasures. There are 391 national parks located across the country in 49 states.

“During these tough economic times, our national parks provide opportunities for affordable vacations for families,” Salazar said at a press conference at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. “I encourage everyone to visit one of our nation’s crown jewels this summer and especially to take advantage of the three free-admission weekends.”

“National Parks also serve as powerful economic engines for local communities and we hope that promoting visitation will give a small shot in the arm to businesses in the area,” he said. The 147 National Park Service sites across the country that charge fees for entry will waive these entrance fees during the weekends of June 20-21, July 18-19, and August 15-16, 2009, Salazar said.

Meanwhile, many park partners including tour operators, hotels, restaurants, gift shops, and other vendors will offer additional discounts and special promotions on those dates. More information on the fees and discounts can be found at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm .