Top National Parks that Will Be Free on August 14 and 15

As summer closes, the National Park Service is offering its third free weekend of 2010 at more than 100 parks that typically charge anywhere from $3 to $25 to enter. Additionally, businesses in and around the parks have additional promotions during the National Parks free weekend.

National Park Service Director, Jon Jarvis said, "Most people live within a short drive of a national park, so I encourage everyone to spend some time enjoying America's Great Outdoors." The waved fees do not include camping, tours or concession fees.

These "must see" parks are not the only national parks that are free on this weekend. There are 392 National Parks, only 100 or so of which charge entrance fees. Chances are you live within a day's drive of one of them. So, knock the dust off those hiking boots and get out there!
Most Visited National Parks

Great Smokey Mountains National Park - The most visited national park in America, the Great Smokey Mountains National Park borders North Carolina and Tennessee. It is home to 16 mountain peaks higher than 6,000 feet and has more than 800 miles of hiking trails.

Yellowstone National Park - The nation's first national park, established in 1872, was visited by more than 1,000 cars by 1915 and today sees more than 3 million visitors each year. Old Faithful and other geysers and hot springs as well as the wildlife and scenery are the attraction to this park.
Download a $5 coupon good for shopping, dining, recreational activities and tours in the Yellowstone National Park and in the Yellowstone area.

Grand Canyon National Park - The second most popular park in America with more than 4 million visitors a year, the Grand Canyon is "powerful and inspiring". It's no wonder this place is on nearly every "see before you die" list.
Download a $5 coupon good for shopping, dining, recreational activities and tours in the Grand Canyon National Park and in the area.

Yosemite National Park - One of the first wilderness parks in America and made popular by half-dome. Yosemite's 1,200 square miles is 95-Percent wilderness, meaning one thing...solitude.
Download a $5 coupon good for shopping, dining, recreational activities and tours in the Yosemite National Park and in the Yosemite area.

Olympic National Park - Located on the Washington peninsula, west of Seattle, here you will find an almost surreal environment where the Pacific Ocean, rain forests, and glacier capped mountains come together.

The Colorado Rockies - This Park will astound you with more than 60 mountain peaks reaching higher than 12,000 feet. The peaks may draw you in, but the wildlife, mountain meadows and lakes will let visitors experience the park in many different ways.

Zion National Park - The pink and red cliffs blending with orange and yellow sunsets bring more than 2 million people a year to Zion. Massive canyons ascend into bright blue sky from trails that are popular to mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders.

The Grand Tetons - The Tetons are made up of nine mountain peaks that ascend higher than 12,000 feet, rising from flatlands that are made up of glacier fed lakes, rivers and grasslands.

If you are going to be near the Grand Teton Lodge Company, there will be a free morning Interpretive Tour at the Jackson Lake Lodge beginning at 7:15 Sunday. Meet inside the hotel at the coffee shop near the Blue Heron.

The National Park Service hosts several free weekends and days throughout the year to encourage people to come out and see their national parks. Many of these parks are endanger of being closed for various reasons and may not stay open forever. Take advantage of the free weekend. Get out and see them while they are here.

Resources

National Park Service Website

*Disclaimer-The author has no affiliation with the specials and coupons listed in this article. All were still available at the time of publishing.