National Public Lands Day - 2009

Date: September 21, 2009
Contact: Dan Ng, 435.834.4740

Bryce Canyon Waives Entrance Fees for National Public Lands Day;
Saturday, September 26, 2009

Bryce Canyon National Park will offer its annual Fee Free Day on Saturday, September 26, 2009, in observance of National Public Lands Day. On that day, the National Park Service will join other public lands to waive entrance fees including commercial tour entrance fees.

National Public Lands Day began in 1994 with three federal agencies and 700 volunteers. Last year nearly 110,000 volunteers worked in 1,300 locations and in every state. Now, 8 federal agencies and many state and local lands participate in this annual day of caring for shared lands.

National Public Lands Day keeps the promise of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the "tree army" that worked from 1933-42 to preserve and protect America's natural heritage.

This annual event:

Educates Americans about critical environmental and natural resources issues and the need for shared stewardship of these valued, irreplaceable lands;

Builds partnerships between the public sector and the local community based upon mutual interests in the enhancement and restoration of America's public lands;

Improves public lands for outdoor recreation, with volunteers assisting land managers in hands-on work.

Bryce Canyon was proclaimed a national monument in 1923 because of its "…unusual scenic beauty and scientific interest and importance." Five years later it was renamed a national park. Today, over 1.4 million visitors come from around the world to marvel at its colorful and delicate rock spires and pinnacles. The park and surrounding forest are home to elk, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, black bear, mountain lion and the Utah prairie dog, a threatened species. Bryce Canyon’s high altitude, outstanding air quality and lack of light pollution, contribute to outstanding night skies.

The Bryce Canyon Lodge, Visitor Center, North Campground and Sunset Campground are open. Ranger-led programs are offered during the day. A free shuttle is available to take you to the park’s most popular viewpoints. With the arrival of shorter days and cooler temperatures, aspens are changing color, so come prepared for autumn weather.

For more information regarding the Fee Free Day at Bryce Canyon National Park call [phone].