THE best things in life are free, including access to more than 120 national parks across the country this weekend.
National Park Service is offering free admission to parks that normally charge an entry fee in 35 U.S. states and several territories.
The organization is waiving admission fees for six days in 2024.
One of them is August 4th to honor the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).
The GAOA, which was passed in 2020, consolidated the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund and expanded opportunities in national parks and public lands.
Arizona, California, Utah, Virginia and New York are among the states participating in the agreement.
Arizona has the largest selection of parks, with 14, including highlights like Grand Canyon National Park and Saguaro National Park.
Admission to the Grand Canyon typically costs $20 per person, while Saguaro tickets can cost upwards of $15 per person.
Californians will have free access to destinations including Joshua Tree National Park, Muir Woods National Monument and Yosemite National Park.
Joshua Tree, which attracts more than three million visitors annually and spans more than 790,000 acres, offers visitors unparalleled views of the Earth’s fault lines.
Geologist fans can observe raw rocks and the impact of earthquakes up close and personal.
Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park, which normally costs more than $15 per person, will also be open to the public.
One of the highest national parks in the country, visitors can stay at elevations from 7,800 to 14,000 feet high.
More than sixty mountain peaks also offer panoramic views and hospitable homes for a diverse selection of wildlife, including elk, mountain goats, wolves, and black bears.
The fun isn’t limited to the West Coast – you can also visit Florida’s Everglades National Park for free.
The largest subtropical wilderness in the country, the park is home to numerous rare and endangered species, such as the manatee, American crocodile and Florida panther.
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Guests also have the opportunity to go glamping in style, with luxurious beds, power and views of Florida Bay, even in winter.
More than a million visitors pass through the park every year, which charges more than $20 for entry.
Yellowstone National Park in Idaho, which sits atop a dormant volcano, is home to more than 10,000 hot springs, including the largest collection of geysers and hot springs in the world.
It is also the country’s first national park, sanctioned by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872.
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With more than 4.5 million annual visitors, the park typically charges more than $20 per person.
Utah will offer free admission to 11 parks, including Zion, which offers spectators expansive views of the canyon, which averages 2,000 feet deep.
Hikers can also walk along the open park or swim in permitted areas of the Virgin River.
With more than four million visitors a year, the park typically charges more than $20 for admission.
See the full list of participating states and parks below.
Complete list of participating National Parks
The following parks will offer free admission on August 5th in honor of the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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