Free access to National Parks (USA, Canada)

[climberjohn]

Dunno is this was mentioned already or not, but it appears that the National Park Service will offer free admission to all Nat. parks from April 17-25. Just in time for spring camping. Being that big name some parks are now $25 a week, this can save you some moolah.

http://www.nps.gov/npweek/

Side note: For those of us who may grumble about National Park entrance fees in the USA, you better brace yourself when you visit Canada. I went to the Banff/Jasper area a few years back with a week my wife and 1 kiddo, and just about had a heart attack when the smiling ranger at the entrance station, after a few questions, calmly told us, "That'll be $125 for a annual family pass, please." (It's now $136.) WTF!?!?

The comparable thing in the US, a Golden Eagle pass, cost (I think) $50 at the time. It's not offered anymore.
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[brent239]

I have an annual pass its like 80-90 bucks, its all National Parks. But yes Free Weeks are good.

[climberjohn]

Yeah, the new national pass covers US Forest Service, BLM, etc. fee areas as well as NPS entrance fees. But no more Golden Eagle, which was NPS only.

The comparable pass in Canada seems to cost $166!

http://www.canadianrockies.net/banff/bnpfees.html
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[WestyBob]

The original concept of all federal rec. lands was to level the economic playing field via no fees so everyone could 'afford' to enjoy. Now like in so many other ways we're all equal ..... as long as you can pay.

And those Canadian prices are shocking !!!

[danfromsyr]

Bump for this year's National Park weekends coming up in April

lets get some VW campers out and about.,.

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

[bluebus86]

Free weekends are the worse time to go, huge crowds, and the rangers set up speed traps like crazy, while illegally parked RVs on side of road are ignored for ticketing if they are parked in such a way to obscure the speed signs.

Stay home on these free weekend, it aint worth the savings to be stuck with the crowds. It also appears that the rowdy party animals like the free weekends (more beer money I guess) as the camp sites become a giant tail gate party all night long, the rangers are near useless for enforcing past 10 pm noise restrictions, oh and the light the gawd dam bright lights that the party types string in the trees, and mount around their camps, lit up like a night game at the ball park. between the late night noise and lights, screw it, Ill pay for a quiet time in the park, not a fricking animal house party.
Did I mention the party types can even aim properly at the toilet? a frickin mess each morning, poop pee and puke all over the floors, the walls of the stall. wonderful crowd.

stay home, go later.
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[Ahwahnee]

If you are 62 years old or older and have not purchased your Senior pass you may want to act now. The price is going up from $10 to $80 for the lifetime pass.

http://travel.aarp.org/articles-tips/articles/info...rease.html

Still a great deal but why pay more? Apparently it has not been determined when this will be implemented other than sometime in 2017.

And in case you do not know... in recognition of Canada's 150th birthday they are offering their 2017 National Parks Pass for free.

Yes, free!

Here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/gverqlw

You simply put it in the cart and check out. No credit card info is needed, just your address & email.

I got mine in the mail this past week and am ready for when I visit in September.

[termuehlen]

Thanks Ahwahnee! I just ordered mine.
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[pablum]

Thanks Mr. Roosevelt! You were awesome [for creating the National Park system!]



*Moderator edit: Political commentary removed, as were subsequent political posts.

Well, my praise for him may not be unalloyed, but it definitely extends beyond his national parks...
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[MsTaboo]

[86scotty]

I'm with Bluebus. I like National Parks, in the middle of the week in the off season.

Just FYI, they don't all have fees. Great Smoky Mountain NP is free, drive in or out any time. I live about 5 minutes from it and though it is great to ride a bike or drive in or out anytime it makes no sense. Perhaps if they charged there just like everywhere else it wouldn't be such a zoo, but I'm probably dreaming.
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[Glenn]

I passed through the Grand Canyon last Thursday. There was no crowds and easy parking. but temp were in the upper 20*... during the day.

It was still awesome.

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[Merian]

https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/history.htm

https://www.nps.gov/thrb/learn/historyculture/trandthenpsystem.htm

note that US Nat'l Parks date back to 1870s - before the NPS

TR also is known for protection of public lands as forest preserves ----> USFS

Gifford Pinchot (another prominent Progressive Republican -- now an extinct species) headed up and established the USFS for use of forests; while John Muir was the leading light behind the early parks (Yosemite as a state park, etc.)

if you want a tome on this, "Americans and Their Forests" is the one

there are several books on Muir
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[All4You]

The PBS series "The National Parks, America's Best Idea" by Ken Burns is extremly informative and very well done. Also very lengthy as it is extremely detailed. A must for anyone who is enthusiastically interested. The John Muir story is indeed inspirational. I watch it free with my Amazon Prime account.

All4Him
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[Ahwahnee]

The NPS evolved through the years but Stephen Mather is the gent who is usually credited with turning it into the great success we enjoy today. A millionaire industrialist who used his wealth and political connections for the public good.

[canasync]

[Zeitgeist 13]

We're blessed throughout North America with amazing national parks, forests and wildernesses. Visit them early. Visit them often. And help to keep them in the public realm.
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[WestyBob]

[Ahwahnee]