In celebration of the signing the Great American Outdoors Act, admission to national parks and public lands is FREE on August 5, 2020.
In addition, August 4th is being designated as the “Great American Outdoors Day.”
In future years, every August 4 will be a free entrance day to celebrate the signing of this landmark legislation, joining the other scheduled entrance fee-free days which commemorate or celebrate significant dates.
There are 109 national parks that charge entrance fees ranging from $5 to $35. The other 310 national parks do not have entrance fees. The entrance fee waiver for the fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation or special tours.
The Great American Outdoors Act will enable national parks and other federal lands to repair and upgrade vital infrastructure and facilities that will enrich the visitor experience, protect resources, and enable increased access for all visitors.
The Great American Outdoors Act combines two major conservation initiatives into one legislative package.
It establishes the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund (Restoration Fund), and it guarantees permanent full funding for the existing Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
Funding of this magnitude will reduce the maintenance backlog, protect critical resources, increase recreational offerings, and focus on long-term sustainable operations for the next century.
Importance of National Parks to the Economy
The investment will pay dividends. Public lands are an important contributor to a strong and growing outdoor recreation economy that benefits states and local communities.
National parks have been experiencing record-breaking attendance in recent years, including hosting 328 million visitors in 2019.
National park visitor spending supports nearly 330,000 jobs and contributes more than $40 billion annually to the national economy, including more than $20 billion in communities surrounding parks.
The investment will pay dividends. Public lands are an important contributor to a strong and growing outdoor recreation economy that benefits states and local communities.
National parks have been experiencing record-breaking attendance in recent years, including hosting 328 million visitors in 2019.
National park visitor spending supports nearly 330,000 jobs and contributes more than $40 billion annually to the national economy, including more than $20 billion in communities surrounding parks.
“This is a truly historic commitment to revitalize and restore national parks and other public lands in order to expand recreational opportunities and address long overdue infrastructure and modernization challenges,” said National Park Service Deputy Director David Vela, exercising the authority of the Director. “This enormous investment will enhance national parks for present and future generations.”
National Parks and Covid-19
Where it is currently possible to adhere to public health guidance, outdoor spaces in national parks are open to the public, as well as some facilities.
Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.
The National Park Service continues to urge visitors to #RecreateResponsibly. Follow guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and local public health officials to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including maintaining a safe distance from others.
Updates about the National Park Service response to the coronavirus are posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
About the National Park Service
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.
Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
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