Explore The Best Natural Wonders Our Country Has To Offer During National Park Week 2024

Join us as we celebrate National Park Week this year from April 20 through 28, 2024. Preserving natural beauty, diverse ecosystems, unique geological features, and recreation opportunities across the country, from Arizona’s Grand Canyon, Utah’s Zion National Park, and Redwood and Yosemite National Parks in California, America’s national parks are truly remarkable.

These cherished public lands are home to some of the most beautiful places on earth, and we can’t wait to celebrate them this April. Whether you opt for spending time exploring your nearest national park or simply take our quiz on national parks trivia that covers unique facts about our greatest national treasures, we hope you love celebrating America’s national parks with us.

When is National Park Week?

National Park Week takes place from April 20 to 28, 2024. Every April, this presidentially proclaimed celebration run by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation encourages Americans to explore breathtaking places, discover history and culture, and even volunteer to keep these places wild.

What is National Park Week?

While we write about and celebrate the natural wonders found within our National Parks year-round here at OnlyInYourState, National Park Week is a time to celebrate the natural beauty of our national parks and show our appreciation to the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior as well as commit to protecting these incredible places.

Is there free admission during National Park Week?

On the first day of National Park Week, Saturday, April 20, all national park entrance fees will be waived for visitors. With free admission during National Park Week, there’s no reason not to visit your nearest national monument or national historical park. What are you waiting for? Get out there, find your park on the NPS.gov website, and explore!

Enjoy free admission to more than 400 sites managed by the National Park Service on the following days in 2024:

• January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• April 20: National Park Week
• June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
• August 4: Great American Outdoors Day
• September 28: National Public Lands Day
• November 11:  Veterans Day

These fee-free days are fantastic opportunities to visit some of the country's most iconic natural and cultural landmarks without opening up your wallet.

How is National Park Week celebrated?

Special events will also take place throughout National Park Week, with unique in-person and virtual events throughout the country, daily themes, and more. Follow your favorite park on social media to discover all there is to do during this annual celebration. Be sure to plan ahead, though. This is a popular time to visit national parks, so be sure to make reservations for lodging, campsites, tours, and activities in advance.

Special events include guided hikes, wildlife viewing tours, ranger talks, and educational programs. If you can't make it to a national park in person, you can also celebrate virtually with virtual tours, educational resources, and live webcams of national parks across America.

One of the best ways to explore national parks is through the Junior Ranger program and the annual Junior Ranger Day. Held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, this one-day celebration encourages young outdoors enthusiasts of all ages to explore the great outdoors, learn about nature, and protect our incredible parks.

National Park Week is also an excellent opportunity to get involved with conservation efforts. Many parks organize volunteer opportunities, including trail maintenance, habitat restoration projects, and invasive species removal.

Unsure which national park to visit next? Discover what makes each park special below -- click on the park's name for OnlyInYourState coverage, and check out each park's event calendar and Instagram page for more details. You can also find National Park Week events in parks across the United States on the National Park Service’s Event Calendar. Happy exploring!

National Parks In The Northeast United States

• Acadia National Park, Maine: The Crowned Jewel of the Atlantic Coast, the scenic and sprawling Acadia National Park welcomes four million visitors annually. Follow Acadia on Instagram and check out the park's event calendar. 
• New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia: Encompassing more than 70,000 acres of land along the New River, this new national park is scenic and offers abundant recreation opportunities – particularly whitewater rafting. Follow this West Virginia park on Instagram and check out its event calendar.
• Shenandoah National Park, Virginia: Protecting more than 200,000 acres of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park is home to panoramic views from overlooks, cascading waterfalls, fields of wildflowers, and serene wooded hollows. Follow this Virginia park on Instagram and check out its event calendar.
• Big Bend National Park, Texas: Sitting on the U.S.-Mexico border in the state’s most arid region, few places are as rugged, remote, and downright gorgeous as Big Bend. Check out the Big Bend Events Calendar and the park's Instagram for more information.
• Biscayne National Park, Florida:  A gem along Florida's southeastern coast, Biscayne Bay boasts coral reefs, lush mangrove forests, and intricate seagrass beds. Follow this Florida park on Instagram and check out its event calendar.
• Congaree National Park, South Carolina: The old-growth bottomland hardwood forests of Congaree are best explored via the park’s network of boardwalk trails. Discover unique events on this calendar and follow the park on Instagram to learn more.