Park Ranger Dean Gallagher leads visitors on a hike through the rainforest. At Hawai‘i Volcanoes, visitors can hike, bike, picnic, bird and volcano watch, and join in one or more of a dozen ranger-led activities offered daily. Photography by Sawyer Sutton

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Tough economic times call for economical fun and America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better this summer with three entrance-free weekends.

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the fee waivers, calling it a dual effort to provide affordable vacations and to boost the economy in communities bordering national parks.

The fee waivers — one each month in June, July, and August — apply to all national parks across the country.

The free-entrance weekends are June 20-21 (Father’s Day weekend), July 18-19, and August 15-16, 2009.

Hawaii parks participating in the free weekends include Hawai‘i Volcanoes, Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau, and Haleakala.

“During these tough economic times, our national parks provide opportunities for affordable family vacations,” said Salazar. “I encourage everyone to visit one of our nation’s crown jewels this summer and especially to take advantage of the three free-admission weekends.”

Salazar hopes that promoting visiting parks “will give a small shot in the arm to businesses in the area” around them, noting that tourism income helps America’s economic recovery

In addition, many park partners including tour operators, hotels,
restaurants, gift shops, and other vendors will offer discounts and special
promotions on those dates.

More information on the fees and discounts can be found at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm
Last year, America’s 391 national parks attracted more than 275 million recreational visits, and of those, 1.3 million were to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

The usual private vehicle entry fee at Hawai‘i Volcanoes is $10 for a seven consecutive day pass.