Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Ready For A Nature Break? National Parks To Waive Entrance Fees Saturday
Take in nature at your leisure for free on Saturday
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
If you’re not at Coachella this weekend and still need plans, you’re in luck: the best time to explore the outdoors is tomorrow, Saturday April 16.
That’s because the National Parks Service is kicking off National Parks Week by waiving entrance fees at national parks for just one day, Saturday, making it a free chance to see the natural sights up close.
The final countdown....#NationalParkWeek kicks off Saturday with a fee-free day to all national parks! With over 400 parks, your nearest national park may be closer to home than you think! Do you have plans to visit a park?
— National Park Service (@NatlParkService) April 15, 2022
More: https://t.co/5omWrPN7Ur
📸@grandtetonps pic.twitter.com/6gWj3JInvI
The agency teams up with the National Park Foundation yearly to encourage everyone to enjoy parks across the United States. This year there are nine days of events and digital experiences under the “sPark Connections” theme.
Support for LAist comes from
Each day has a different focus, such as health of the environment and preservation. Saturday starts it off with “sPark Discovery” to prompt visitors to find someplace new.
Los Angeles’ closest national parks include Joshua Tree and the Channel Islands, which are around two to five hours away. The largest of the islands is Santa Cruz, which has 15 hiking trails for various ability levels and a spartan campground.
If you’re in the mood for a longer drive, you can also head to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon and Death Valley in about five hours.
Don’t forget only the entrance fees are waived — not parking fees — so save yourself some time and secure a parking pass before making the drive.
National Parks Week continues through next Sunday, April 24.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist