National Park Week

Graphic reading "Your Park Story. National Park Week" with park-related images including a ranger hat on several books with one open, Statue of Liberty, sunrise, mountains, historic buildings, rock arch, eagle, and cactus
This year's National Park Week theme is "Your Park Story". What park place is very special to you?

Image designed by the National Park Service

Love national parks? There's a holiday for that! Join us for National Park Week, a nine-day celebration of everything "parks". Not just about more than 400 national parks nationwide of different shapes, sizes, and types. Also discover what the National Park Service does through our programs and partners to preserve natural and cultural heritage and provide recreational opportunities in places across the country—and even the world!

National Park Week is happening April 22 to April 30 this year. Entrance fees will be waived on April 22, 2023, to kick off the celebration and to encourage everyone to enjoy their national parks in person. National Park Service parks, programs, and partners will host events and activities all week! Follow National Park Week on social media and join the fun all week using #NationalParkWeek.

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National parks and places we preserve or build in communities can have very special meaning to people. We are asking you to share your "park" story. Or come visit parks to create your park story!

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What's "Your Park Story"?

Ever formed a strong bond with a place or sense of place? This year, we are asking our National Park Service staff and you to share "your park story" about your special connections with places in national parks or communities where we often have programs and partners working. Follow our stories on social media using #YourParkStory and consider sharing your own using #MyParkStory.

Looking for ideas for stories? Each day of National Park Week has a theme you can use. Share your park story about..

Add #MyParkStory and #NPSConnection to your social media posts when sharing "your park story" about connections. Here are few ideas for park stories about connections:

  • where in nature you are passionate about protecting, in honor of Earth Day (#EarthDay)   
  • where you have a strong connection with and choose to volunteer, in honor of National Volunteer Week (#NWV)  
  • where you connect with to improve your mental, physical, and spiritual health, in honor of Park Rx Day (#ParkRxDay)    

Take advantage of the free entrance fees day to visit parks and form a new connection! 

Add #MyParkStory and #NPSDiscovery to your social media posts when sharing Your Park Story about discovery. Here are few ideas for park stories about discovery: 

  • where you discovered something interesting about nature or history that changed your perception or understanding 
  • where you discovered a personal or family history connection 
  • where you discovered a place you didn’t plan to visit but became very special to you  

Add #MyParkStory and #NPSAccomplishment to your social media posts when sharing Your Park Story about discovery. Here are few ideas for park stories about accomplishment: 

  • where you conquered a personal health, wellness, or physical challenge 

  • where you reached the end of your journey visiting all park places in/about … 

  • where you were proud of or inspired by some else’s accomplishment  

Add #MyParkStory and #NPSTradition to your social media posts when sharing Your Park Story about discovery. Here are few ideas for park stories about tradition: 

  • where you have strong connections or practice your cultural heritage  
  • where you created your own tradition with family, friends, or yourself 
  • where you were inspired or had a powerful moment learning about someone else’s traditions  

Add #MyParkStory and #NPSGratitude to your social media posts when sharing Your Park Story about discovery. Here are few ideas for park stories about gratitude: 

  • where you were grateful for the actions of someone else in a park place 

  • where you were grateful to just be or experience  

  • where you were grateful for the actions of someone in history 

Add #MyParkStory and #NPSIngenuityto your social media posts when sharing Your Park Story about discovery. Here are few ideas for park stories about ingenuity: 

  • where you saw wildlife been ingenious  

  • where you learned about someone in history using their ingenuity to make an impact 

  • where you had to use your own ingenuity while visiting a park place 

Add #MyParkStory and #NPSInspiration to your social media posts when sharing Your Park Story about discovery. Here are few ideas for park stories about accomplishment: 

  • where you were inspired by people in history, maybe even your own family 

  • where you were inspired by another visitor in a park  

  • where you were inspired to get involved protecting or sharing of our nation’s natural spaces and cultural heritage 

Add #MyParkStory and #NPSFun to your social media posts when sharing Your Park Story about discovery. Here are few ideas for park stories about fun: 

  • where you earned your favorite Junior Ranger badge, in honor of National Junior Ranger Day 

  • where you created a special memory having fun with family or friends 

  • where you created a fun activity or game while out enjoying a park   

Add #MyParkStory and #NPSLove to your social media posts when sharing Your Park Story about discovery. Here are few ideas for park stories about love: 

  • where you fell in love with parks

  • where you proposed or where proposed to

  • where you knew you had to bring your loved ones to share an experience  


Visit a Park

Did you know there are more than 400 national parks? They come in different shapes, sizes, and naming designations (not all are named "National Park!") and may be a lot closer to home than you think. Entrance fees are waived the first day of National Park Week to encourage people to come out to enjoy their national parks.

Two visitors looking at a large map of the U.S.

Find a Park

There are more than 400 national parks across the country. Search for parks by state or an activity or topic of interest to you.

Three smartphones displaying the NPS App

The NPS App

One app, every park at your fingertips. Experience and explore national parks using a new app for mobile devices.

Illustration of a Sasquatch hand on a laptop looking at national park information

Find Your Virtual Park

Stay connected with national parks across the country with online resources and virtual experiences.

Find an Event

Check out these featured events or set the calendar to April to find in-person and virtual programs for National Park Week at any of the more than 400 national parks around the country.

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Want to volunteer? If you are interested in volunteering, please visit Volunteer.gov.

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National Park Week News Releases

Members of the media can find news releases about National Park Week starting the weeks leading up to and through the last day.

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    Last updated: March 30, 2023