The National Park Service Celebrates Its 99th Birthday With Free Admission For All

Erika Owen
·1 min read
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201307-ss-americas-best-secret-national-parks-black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park-colorado

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The National Park Service (NPS) is extending its birthday celebration to anyone looking to take in the sights today. To celebrate the agency's 99th anniversary, anyone visiting one of the 408 parks, landmarks, and/or monuments will receive free admission on August 25th. This is only one of six times the NPS offers a deal like this throughout the year—the others being January 19, February 14-16, April 18-19, September 26, and November 11. What better reason to take an afternoon off?

National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis shared a few words on the occasion: "The National Park Service's 99th birthday is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the role of national parks in the American story. These national treasures belong to all of us, and we want everyone—especially the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and advocates—to discover and connect with their national park." To find a park near you, head on over to the NPS website.

Erika Owen is the Audience Engagement Editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @erikaraeowen.