9 American national parks which are always free to visit

These impressive sites will never charge you any entry fees.


The American national park system is loved for having provided relatively easy access to some of theMost virgin natural beauty You will find anywhere. But even if the adoption of large spaces can make youfeel Free, the entry of many popular sites is not. With the exception of aA few selected days From the year, many of the 63 national parks charge admission fees to help pay basic maintenance and staff. But if you travel on a budget, there are still some who will not cost you a penny. Read more to find out which the best national parks are always free to visit.

Read this then:The 6 best American national parks to see fall foliage.

1
Sequoias National Park

hiking in Redwood National Park California
istock

It is not because a site is well known that you will have to pay to see it. And according toAdam Marland,,Travel photographer and writer Because we dream of traveling, the adoption of the greatness of the "highest trees on the planet Earth" makes a trip to Redwood National Park a "really humiliating experience" for visitors - without paying money.AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"The best feature of the park is clearly the enchanted forest, but the second best feature is free entry! In fact, there is no entry fees to drive picturesque roads or highways in the National Park Redwood, nor in any of the three nearby parks, "he said.

2
New River Gorge National Park

New River Gorge, West Virginia
Whisper

Even if themost recent addition For the system, a site already has a reputation to be one of the most interesting to visit the best part in the United States? It won't cost you anything.

"The New River Gorge National Park and Reserve in Virginia-Western is one of the best national parks for hiking that is also free", "Jennifer Melroy,,writer and founder of the obsessed national park, saysBetter life. "Treks includes several seal list hikes such as Endless Wall and Grandview Rim. In addition to hiking, there is the chance to cross the largest unique steel arc bridge in the United States."

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3
Biscayne National Park

Lighthouse at Biscayne National Park
Nyker / Shutterstock

National parks represent all different kinds of environments, includingaquatic. If you are trying to spend time amazing nature with your snorkel and your fins, there is a free option that you should add to your list.

"Located from the coast in the south of Florida near Miami, the Biscayne National Park is open 365 days a year and does not require entrance fees", "Erin Moreland,,travel blogger In super simple salty life, tellsBetter life. "Eighty-five percent of the park is actually underwater, and the park contains part of one of the most important and healthier coral reefs in the world. Visitors can generally identify the lamunes, the Alligators, dolphins, well. "

4
Grand Basin National Park

Alpine Loop trail in the Great Basin National Park Nevada
Whisper

It is not because some parks do not have a landmark immediately recognized that they do not deserve to visit - and a particular Nevada site is popular for its spectacular caves andSuperb ecological diversity.

"Great Basin National Park is a western jewel!"Kate Brassington,,co-founder From the family vacation guide, tells the best life. "The park is free to visit, with many beautiful lakes and hikes, including the Osceola ditch, the Alpine lakes loop path and the Bristlecone & Glacier trail."

Brassington underlines that this park is not only an ideal place to visit during the hours of clarity. "Great Basin National Park is also an international park of Sky Sky, which means that you can see the stars, the planets and even the galaxies through the naked eye on a moonless night," she said. "It is definitely an experience in the magic bucket list that you will want to have with your family."

5
Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park
Michele Korfhage / Shutterstock

It is not every day that something free and spectacular goes unnoticed. But a southern Carolina park flies below the radar despite not invoicing visitors to entry fees.

"Congaree National Park is an often overlooked, but so beautiful and useful national park", "Brittanie Harbick,,co-host Podcast Squad Travel, saysBetter life. "The Trail Loop Weston Lake offered a raised walk above the forest floor which allowed us to really admire the hardwood forest of the bass and the floodplates. Our favorite part of the path was the glimpse of Lake Weston , where we saw an alligator, a snake and turtle swimming in the water. "

However, she adds that even if the marshy park "is really worth the detour, do not forget to bring insects".

Read this then:8 state parks that are even better than national parks, say the experts.

6
Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park
Tomasz Wozniak / Shutterstock

The national parks system has a surprising number of options that facilitate the factVisits to the size of a bite WhereShort stays on sites. However, those who take some additional work to get to the value of your time.

"If you are an individual who benefits from both adventure and fauna, the Kenai Fjords National Park must be at the top of your list", "Phillip Imler, PHD,founder and president From the world alliance of national parks, said of the destination of Alaska. “Everyone can engage in a wide range of activities without paying camping costs, including kayaking, cross -country skiing, fishing, hiking and much more. You can even make a boat cruise to the neighboring islands to see the rich biodiversity and the hike to the well -known tourist destination known as "exit glacier".

7
Large Smoke Mountain National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Weidman / Shutterstock photograph

Even as the most visited site of the system, the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkDo not invoice its visitors for access. But due to a recent change in policy, there is a small warning to visit here entirely free.

"Smokies cannot charge entry fees due to restrictions on acts, but they are implementing a parking permit system," said Melroy. "The system's knot is that it is always free to enter the park, but if you want to park for more than 15 minutes, you must buy a parking space. This is a necessary solution to give a lot At the most busy national park of the necessary funding. "

According to the National Park Service (NPS),Launch your vehicle On site will cost you $ 5 per day or $ 15 for an entire week when he came into force on March 1, 2023 - although, by comparison, many othersSites up to $ 15 per person and $ 30 per vehicle for access. However, experts say that it is a small price to pay for access to the magnificent destination.

"It is such a beautiful national park with lush forests, streams, rivers and waterfalls! We really enjoyed the Dome of Clingman, the highest point of the park, just before sunset because it offers a 360 -degree view of smoke and magnificent sunset views, "Harbick tellsBetter life. "Another essential activity is the bluff cellar cellar path from Alun to Myrtle Point, which offers a panoramic view of the smokies. Along the path, we had the chance toAttend a mom bear And his two cubs lying around in a tree. ""

Read this then:The 8 best American national parks for people over 65, say the experts.

8
Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park
istock

Not all of the United States are lucky to have many national parks nearby. But the only site of a state is also found to be completely free.

"The Cuyahoga valley National Park - the only Ohio National Park - is still another free gem of the system," explains Brassington. "The 33,000 acres park offers activities in Gogo for families, including hiking, a train journey, cycling, winter sports and more."

"The railway of Ohio and Erie Canal and Valley both cross the region, and you can even make a picturesque train journey on the picturesque railway of Cuyahoga Valley," she said. "Hiking in the park, you will see various waterfalls, including Brandywine Falls - the most glorious park - which is surrounded by a 1.5 mile hike called the start of the Brandywine Falls path. Or, you can do Hiking or cycling on the 87- Mile Towpath Trail, which follows the old canal of Ohio and Erie. "

9
North Cascades National Park

north cascades national park
Marina Poushkina / Shutterstock

Even if it is unlikely that the entrance fees move away fans of nature passionate about any site, a national park manages to be theFourth less visited Throughout the system while being completely free. But its location about three hours from Seattle in the north of the state of Washington - and the fact that it is home to more than 300 glaciers - should make it a shoo -in for any list of bursts of national parks.

"The North Cascades National Park is a little distant but is worth the trek, because it houses glaciers, waterfalls and incredible mountain landscapes," suggests Harbick. "If you have time, definitely hike on the Pass Cascade Trail, where you will go up in the forest via 30-year-old laces, browse a field of blocks, and maybe see a mountain goat before rounding The turn in view of the meadows, the valleys, and the robust mountains. "

Are you looking for an unforgettable view? "Make sure you stop at Diablo Lake Vista Point to admire the magnificent view of the beautiful shiny turquoise water," she adds.


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