Zion Will Waive Entrance Fees During National Park Week

Date: April 9, 2010
Contact: Ron Terry, 435 772-0160

Zion National Park will be joining other national parks throughout the country in celebrating National Park Week by waiving entrance fees April 17-25, 2010. 

On March 23, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that all 392 national parks will have free admission during National Park Week, April 17 to 25.  Secretary Salazar stated, “We are rolling out the red carpet and inviting everyone to visit a national park and help celebrate National Park Week. Parks are fun and affordable destinations and great places to engage in healthy, outdoor activities, whether for a few hours or a few days.”

National Park Week, a program of the National Park Service, is an opportunity to engage families and communities in America’s Great Outdoors, reconnecting them with nature and creating close to home opportunities for people to get outside, be active, and have fun.  “National parks preserve our heritage, promote recreational experiences, and provide places of quiet refuge,” said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. “Most people live within a short drive of a national park so I encourage everyone to spend some time enjoying America’s Great Outdoors during National Park Week.”

Superintendent Jock Whitworth has announced that Zion National Park will be offering ranger conducted programs in addition to free entrance to the park during National Park Week. On Saturday, April 24, the park will be participating in the annual Earth Day celebration in Springdale, Utah and will be offering Junior Ranger programs in the park as part of National Junior Ranger Day. For specific information on programs offered, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/zion or check at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center upon arrival.

During National Park Week, Xanterra Parks and Resorts at the Zion Lodge will be offering discounts on selected retail items and a discount for Utah residents on retail, food, and beverage items. The Zion Natural History Association will be offering discounts on selected items at the bookstores in the park’s visitor centers.  

Park visitors are reminded that the waiver of fees is good through Sunday, April 25.  Visitors who plan to be in the park beyond this date will need to pay the regular entrance fee for the remainder of their stay.  The fee waiver applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping, tunnel escort fees, or backcountry permit fees.