NPS
Visitors watching Great Geyser
America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better this summer with fee-free weekends in Yellowstone.
You can’t get much closer to nature than in Yellowstone National Park, and what greater way to celebrate summer than with free entrance to America’s first national park. Visit Yellowstone on August 15 and 16, and receive free admission.
Yellowstone is famous for its hydrothermal features – more than 10,000, in fact – including over 300 active geysers (2/3 of the world’s geysers). Yellowstone is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including 67 species of mammals and 320 recorded species of birds.
Fish or take a scenic cruise on Yellowstone Lake, the largest high elevation lake (above 7,000 feet) in North America. Enjoy horseback riding, camping, boating, bicycling or taking day hikes or overnight backpacking trips to see some of the lesser known areas of the park.
Visit historic sites such as the Fishing Bridge Museum, Norris Geyser Basin Museum, Obsidian Cliff, the Old Faithful Inn and Historic District, Roosevelt Lodge Historic District, and Fort Yellowstone at Mammoth Hot Springs.
Yellowstone’s younger visitors will enjoy becoming a Junior Ranger or a Junior Scientist. Young and old alike will enjoy participating in a ranger-led activity, viewing exhibits or taking in a film at one of the park’s visitor centers, such as the new film at the Canyon Visitor Education Center, Yellowstone: Land to Life. Afterwards, enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from one or more of its overlooks.
Whether you’re an avid hiker, birdwatcher or photographer, or just seeking a relaxing or educational experience, Yellowstone has something for you. Take advantage of this free entrance weekend and take in the sites at the world’s oldest national park or at one of the other 146 participating parks for family fun, fresh air, and opportunities to learn about our great country.
Fees that are being waived include entrance fees, commercial tour fees and transportation entrance fees. The waiver is good for entrance on Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16 only. Visitors entering the park after August 16 will be required to pay the entrance fee. The waiver does not include other fees collected in advance or by contractors—such as fees charged for camping, reservations, tours and use of concessions.
Many visitors to America’s national parks enjoyed free entrance on June 20 and 21 and July 18 and 19. In addition to those fee-free weekends, you will also be able to enjoy the park for free during the weekend of August 15 and 16.
These "fee free" weekends were established by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to encourage Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit our national treasures. "During these tough economic times, our national parks provide opportunities for affordable vacations for families. I encourage everyone to visit one of our nation’s crown jewels this summer and especially to take advantage of the three free-admission weekends. National Parks also serve as powerful economic engines for local communities and we hope that promoting visitation will give a small shot in the arm to businesses in the area," he said.
