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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!
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:
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where you conquered a personal health, wellness, or physical challenge
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where you reached the end of your journey visiting all park places in/about …
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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:
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where you were grateful for the actions of someone else in a park place
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where you were grateful to just be or experience
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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:
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where you saw wildlife been ingenious
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where you learned about someone in history using their ingenuity to make an impact
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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:
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where you were inspired by people in history, maybe even your own family
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where you were inspired by another visitor in a park
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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:
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where you earned your favorite Junior Ranger badge, in honor of National Junior Ranger Day
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where you created a special memory having fun with family or friends
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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:
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where you fell in love with parks
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where you proposed or where proposed to
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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.
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.
The NPS App
One app, every park at your fingertips. Experience and explore national parks using a new app for mobile devices.
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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ARPIL 17-23, 2023National Volunteer Week
In addition to National Park Week, we joining a nationwide celebration by thanking our 300,000 volunteers for their amazing contributions!
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APRIL 22, 2023Entrance Fee Free Day
We are kicking off National Park Week by waiving entrance fees at national parks!
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APRIL 22, 2023Earth Day
It's all connected. Join a global celebration and effort to protect our planet— and our national parks—for future generations to also enjoy.
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APRIL 22, 2023Park Rx Day
Doctors orders: Get yourself to a park. Enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that can be experienced in national parks.
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APRIL 25, 2023Young Conservation Leaders Virtual Event
Join a virtual discussion "Celebrating Stories of Young Conservation Leaders" advancing sustainability and environmental justice.
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APRIL 29, 2023National Junior Ranger Day
Calling kids of all ages. Get ready to "explore, learn, and protect" while earning your Junior Ranger badge!
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.
Last updated: March 30, 2023