Fee Free Week for National Park Week

Date: April 15, 2011
Contact: Dan Ng, 435.834.4740

National Parks Will Waive Entrance Fees During National Park Week

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced free admission to all National Park Service sites, including Bryce Canyon National Park, from April 16 through April 24 to help celebrate National Park Week. National Park Week provides an opportunity to engage families and communities in America's Great Outdoors, reconnecting them with nature and creating opportunities for people to get outside, be active, and have fun.

This year's theme is "Healthy Parks, Healthy People." "Parks are a great untapped resource in fostering health and wellness across the U.S.," said NPS Director Jon Jarvis. "Our national parks have always been loved for their symbolism and scenery, but we aim to increase the awareness of all parks as places for exercise and healthy living." National parks will have free admission during National Park Week, April 16 to 24. This fee waiver does not include camping and special permit fees.

Bryce Canyon National Park is renowned for its spectacular geology and colorful rock formations. For information check at the park's visitor center, opened daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Here you can obtain information on hiking, trail conditions and ranger programs. You can also purchase books, watch an orientation video and explore the museum. The Lodge at Bryce Canyon, restaurant, gift shop, general store, showers and laundry are open for the season. North Campground is also open. Canyon Trail Rides offers guided horse trips into the canyon. The Bryce Canyon Shuttle begins service on May 6th.

Park rangers will be presenting daily geology talks at Sunset Point and evening programs at the lodge. Full moon hikes (reservations required) are offered on the nights of April 16th and 17th and night sky programs on Saturdays. To celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, a special ranger program "Beautiful Nature" will be presented at the lodge at 8:00 pm. In addition, the Bryce Canyon Natural History Association will be offering discounts on selected sales items in the visitor center during National Park Week.

Day hiking trails are open, but are snow‐covered, icy and muddy. Hiking boots or snowboots with traction devices, as well as hiking poles, are highly recommended. Visitors are reminded to prepare for winter driving conditions, high elevation and to dress warmly for the cool temperatures and snow.

Due to rock slides and hazardous trail conditions, the Navajo Loop and Wall Street are temporarily closed for visitor safety. Assessments will be made weekly to determine when the trail can be safely reopened. Visitors can hike down into the hoodoos and canyon along the Queens Garden Trail.

For more information, visit other parts of this website or call [phone].