Free National Park Days 2011: No Admission Fee Schedule Announced

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has officially announced the 2011 free days for all U.S. national parks, according to a Wednesday press release. They will be the weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 15-17), National Park Week (April 16-24), the first day of summer (June 21), National Public Lands Day (September 24), and the weekend of Veterans Day (November 11-13).

"Many people have made resolutions to spend more quality time with loved ones and to get outdoors and unplug in 2011," said Secretary Salazar. "There's no better place than a national park to help keep those resolutions. Parks offer superb recreational opportunities, making them perfect places to enjoy our beautiful land, history and culture, and nurture a healthy lifestyle."

Normally, The Washington Post notes, about 147 of the 394 parks/historic sites charge admission fees that range in prices from 3 to 25 dollars.

The U.S. National Park Service can even help you plan your visit by letting you know which national park concessioners are discounted and also which events will be taking place on waived fee days.