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First Fee-Free Days Of 2012 To Occur This Weekend
The first Fee-Free Day of 2012 occurs this weekend, with free admission to all national parks. With mild weather predicted across much of the United States, areas of parks that would not normally be accessible can be reached, making for a sunny and dry Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend to visit the parks.
Several communities and businesses in and around the national parks are offering special offers and discounts on the weekend. Though, with fewer park facilities and services open in winter, they are not as widespread as found later in the year. Nonetheless, check with local destination marketing organizations for deals and enjoy these Fee-Free Days. Fee-Free Days in 2012 include:
- January 14-16 – Martin Luther King Jr. weekend
- April 21-29 – National Park Week
- June 9 – Get Outdoors Day
- September 29 – National Public Lands Day
- November 10-12 – Veterans Day weekend
Here’s some of what’s being written about Fee-Free Days:
America’s National Parks Sensational at NTA
Ranger Shelton Johnson addresses the NTA Convention (NTA Photo)
America’s National Parks were featured at a major luncheon program at the National Tour Association convention in Las Vegas this month, marking the first time in anyone’s recollection that the national parks were given such focused attention before the nation’s tour industry.
Response to the national parks program was truly sensational, generating high interest among tour operators and U.S. destinations to meet with National Park representatives attending the show.
On the convention floor throughout the week were representatives of the National Park Service: Rich Wiedeman, Donald Leadbetter and Desmond Lee, who fielded questions and provided guidance to the tour industry about how they can best connect people to parks. Also there were John Poimiroo and Susan Cronin of the NPPC.
While other exhibitors were able to leave their booths early to attend evening functions, that wasn’t the case for Weideman, Leadbetter and Lee who were so busy that they were among the first manning their booths and the last to leave, each day.
Sponsoring the event were Yellowstone National Park Lodges/Xanterra Parks and Resorts, Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, Forever Resorts, Glacier Park Inc. and Brand USA/DiscoverAmerica.com, who were recognized during the luncheon presentation and were able to have their materials displayed at a very busy America’s National Parks booth.
The luncheon program included inspirational video of the national parks edited by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, followed by an introduction by NPPC Chief Executive Officer Poimiroo, who recognized NTA initiatives to bring more youth and minorities to the national parks.
NPS Interpretive Ranger, Shelton Johnson (NTA Photo)
National Park Service Interpretive Ranger Shelton Johnson from Yosemite National Park electrified the audience, moving several to tears with his emotional Call to Action, describing the obstacles people of color must overcome in order to feel welcomed to visit the parks and encouraging the tour industry to use its resources, knowledge and abilities to connect all Americans to their national parks.
Following Ranger Johnson’s presentation, he was stopped so often that he had difficulty getting back to the America’s National Parks booth which was surrounded at times by tour operators and destinations seeking to discuss how they might better connect people to the parks.
The next NTA convention occurs in Florida in 2013, though discussions are already underway as to how to top this past month’s presentation. Destinations and businesses interested in benefiting from partnering with America’s National Parks are encouraged to contact NPPC VP of Partnership Development, Sue Cronin [scronin@nationalparksonline.org or (203) 256-8402].
To read what Examiner.com wrote of Ranger Johnson’s presentation, CLICK HERE.
THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING WHO HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE:
Ice Skating at Tenaya Lake
Normally, the Tioga Road, which crosses Yosemite National Park, would be closed in December, due to snow coverage and its high elevation. Derrick Vocelka of Bishop, CA shares this rare look of ice skating at Tenaya Lake along the Tioga Road.
Because the Tioga Road is closed typically from November through May, many people wrongly conclude that Yosemite National Park is closed in winter. Whereas, only highway access to Yosemite’s back country closes in winter. The same is true of many national parks, which while they operate with reduced services and access, remain open in winter. And, in a mild winter like this one, the experience of high country ice skating is possible.
Top 10 Grand Hotels in the United States
The Ahwahnee Dining Room, Yosemite National Park © John Poimiroo
Travel writer Christopher Reynolds of the Los Angeles Times included two national park lodges in his list of the top ten grand hotels in the United States. The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park tops the list. To see the entire LA Times list, CLICK HERE.
Who Speaks Best About the Parks?
The national parks’ best promoters are unquestionably its core of superb interpretive rangers. Interpreters such as Shelton Johnson in Yosemite and Susanna Ausema at Redwood National and State Parks, reveal to park visitors the often surprising details of a park. Here’s a great example provided to us by Mark Finley of Finley Holiday Films.
You can’t do better, until you know better
Under the theme “You can’t do better, until you know better,” The California Parks Company, a park concessioner, organizes trips for urban youth to farms to see from where food comes. FitKid is their program to provide incentives to children for making good choices about what they eat and experiencing the outdoors. Here’s a video of one of those trips.
CLICK HERE to read more about FitKid.
National Park Lodges Get Binged
Drakesbad Guest Ranch Bungalow, Photo Credit: Rick E. Martin
BING Travel posts a slide show of 17 lodges in and near national parks. It’s nice to see attention given to several lodges that are often overlooked in listings of America’s great national park lodges.
To see the slide show, CLICK HERE.
NPS to Waive Admission Fees on 17 Days in 2012
WASHINGTON – To encourage Americans to explore America’s natural beauty, rich history and culture, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the National Park Service will waive admission fees on 17 days in 2012.
“From Independence Hall to our newest national park, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, our national parks tell the story of America, from the beauty of our land to our struggle for freedom and justice,” Secretary Salazar said. “Whether or not it’s during one of the 17 fee free days next year, I encourage everyone to visit a park near them and enjoy the remarkable landscapes and historical and cultural sites that are unique to our great country.”
Salazar emphasized that our national parks and public lands serve as an economic engine for many local communities, supports jobs and driving tourism. Recreation in national parks, refuges, and other public lands fueled nearly $55 billion in economic activity and supported 440,000 jobs in 2009.
The fee free dates for 2012 are January 14 to 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend), April 21 to 29 (National Park Week), June 9 (Get Outdoors Day), September 29 (National Public Lands Day), and November 10 to 12 (Veterans Day weekend). More information is available at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.
In addition, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service will waive their entrance and standard amenity fees January 14 to 16, June 9, September 29, and November 10 to 12. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also have a fee free day on October 14 in recognition of National Wildlife Refuge Week. The Bureau of Reclamation will waive standard amenity fees on September 29 and November 12.
Many park-related hotels, restaurants, gift shops, and tour operators will offer specials on fee free days.
“The majority of national parks don’t have an entrance fee and those that do charge a maximum of $25 a week for an entire family” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “We realize there are additional expenses when visiting a park so many associated businesses will have discounts and enhancements on the fee free days.”
“One of the great things about a national park vacation is it can be as economical or luxurious as desired,” added Jarvis. “A visit can be a few hours or several days. One could pack their lunch or eat at a snack bar, cafeteria, or gourmet dining room. One could sleep under the stars in the backcountry or stay in a campground, motel, or majestic lodge. There is something for everyone at each of the country’s 395 national parks. So mark the dates, grab a friend or family member – especially one that has never been to a park before – and come visit one of your national parks.”
