National Park Service Announces Annual Fee Free Day

Grand Canyon, AZ - Every year the National Park Service designates Founder's Day, August 25th , as Fee-Free Day at all national parks that collect an entrance fee. This year to increase consistency and coordination across Federal recreation programs, Interior bureaus and the USDA Forest Service will adopt National Public Lands Day as a single interagency Fee-Free Day. Although National Public Lands Day is typically the last Saturday in September, this year it will be celebrated on September 20, 2003.

Grand Canyon will not waive entrance fees on August 25th, this year, but will waive entrance fees and commercial tour fees as part of National Public Lands Day on September 20th. Recreation "user fees" such as backcountry permit fees, camping fees and fees for other activities offered in the park will not be waived.

Free entry passes issued that day to commercial tour operators will be valid only for that individual tour. Free entry passes issued to single visit entries issued on that day, will be valid for seven days on both the North and South Rims, so visitors are reminded to hold on to their receipts.

The National Park Service is proud to take part in this coordinated Federal recreation effort and would like to extend a warm welcome to all visitors in recognition of National Public Lands Day.

For additional information about Grand Canyon National Park, please call (928) 638-7888 or check our web site at http://www.nps.gov/grca.