Celebrate Veteran’s Day at Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks FREE Entrance to all National Parks Nike Missile Base Open House

NPS Photo JR

News Release Date: November 6, 2014

Contact: General Park Information:, 305-242-7700

Contact: Media contacts only: Mary Plumb, 305-242-7017

Contact: Nike Missile Base Program Manager: Ryan Meyer, 305-242-7752

Homestead/Key West: Acting Superintendent Bob Krumenaker is inviting everyone who loves Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks to enjoy free entrance next Tuesday, November 11, in celebration of Veteran’s Day.  
 
According to Superintendent Krumenaker, “We are excited to join in the nationwide celebration of Veteran’s Day, and invite everyone to come enjoy your national park.” 
 
At Everglades National Park, entrance fees will be waived on Veteran’s Day at the main park entrance near Homestead, and at the entrance station at Shark Valley. The main park entrance is located at 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, Florida. Shark Valley is located at 36000 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida.

Historic Nike Missile Base Open House:  Everglades National Park will also host an Open House at the Historic Nike Missile Base from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., where park visitors will enjoy one of the nation’s best preserved relics of Cold War history. With the help of local veterans, the park set about restoring the historic Nike Missile Base, built in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The missile base was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, and since being interpreted to the public for the first time in 2009 has since become one of the park’s most popular sites. 

At Dry Tortugas National Park, a variety of remarkable experiences await visitors who venture out to this remote national park, including camping, snorkeling, bird watching, or fishing. Visitors also enjoy exploring Fort Jefferson, the largest all-masonry fort in the United States. It was built between 1846 and 1875 to protect the nation's gateway to the Gulf of Mexico.

Ferry and Sea Plane operators will waive park entrance fees of $5 on November 11. Before travelling to the park check out the park website or contact the general information number for tips on how best to experience the park at this time of year  

For ferry schedules, prices, and reservations, contact: Yankee Freedom III: phone [phone] or 305-294-7009 or www.drytortugas.com

For seaplane schedules, prices, and reservations, contact: Key West Seaplane Adventures: phone [phone] or www.keywestseaplanecharters.com.

WHAT:  Free entrance to all national parks in celebration of Veteran’s Day, and an Open House at the Historic Nike Missile Base.

WHEN:          Tuesday, November 11, 2014

WHERE: Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks

For more information and directions to Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks call [phone].