Free Entrance to National Parks on Veterans’ Day this Wednesday

National Parks and most federally managed lands are letting everyone in for free on Wednesday, November 11. Here’s the press release from Lassen Volcanic National Park:

To honor America’s service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that areas managed by the department will not charge entrance fees on Wednesday, November 11, 2009.

Visitors to Lassen Volcanic National Park and other public recreation lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation are invited to take a day to honor and reflect on what our service men and women have done to maintain our freedom and keep peace around the world. “The Department of the Interior is honored to offer this fee free day to thank our nation’s service men and women,” said Salazar. “The sacrifices and achievements of the brave men and women of our armed forces can never be understated. We invite all of our visitors to enjoy this fee free day and take time out on this national holiday to remember our service men and women who are currently serving overseas in harm’s way. “

“Lassen Volcanic National Park and other national park units are special and sacred areas that have been set aside to represent our American heritage for the generations of today and in the future. I couldn’t think of a better place to spend time in reflection of our veteran’s role in keeping America safe,” stated Superintendent, Darlene M. Koontz.

Lassen Volcanic National Park visitors on Wednesday, November 11 will not be charged an entrance fee for this day, and may simply enter the park and enjoy their local national park. Opportunities to explore unique volcanic landscapes, enjoy scenic vistas, hike in pristine wilderness and discover a diversity of plants and wildlife that make the park their home are just some of the experiences that await visitors.

The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center is open year-round and winter hours are now from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, please contact the park at (530) 595-4480 or visit the park website at www.nps.gov .

Here’s the list of all the national parks in California, Oregon, Arizona, and Nevada. Get out there and hike those national park trails.

California
Cabrillo National Monument
Death Valley National Park
John Muir National Historic Site
Joshua Tree National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lava Beds National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument
Pinnacles National Monument
San Francisco Maratime National Historical Park
Sequoia National Park
Whiskeytown Unit National Recreation Area
Yosemite National Park

Oregon
Crater Lake National Park
Lewis & Clark National Historical Park

Arizona
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Chiricahua National Monument
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Grand Canyon National Park
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Petrified Forest National Park
Pipe Spring National Monument
Saguaro National Park
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Tonto National Monument
Tumacacori National Historical Park
Tuzigoot National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Wupatki National Monument

Nevada
Death Valley National Park
Lake Mead National Recreation Area

And a special thanks to all the veterans and all the women and men currently serving in our armed forces. My niece Kasey Brown is in the navy, serving on the USS Bainbridge.

Young hikers in Muir Woods National Monument. (Photo by Marc Soares)