With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
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.
Sponsored message
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.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
