Life is all about enjoying the great outdoors. Hiking, biking, walking, running from bears. Unfortunately, communing with the liberated woods isn’t always free. In order to keep our national parks pristine, many charge admission. (Efforts to harness the power of Old Faithful into a lucrative hydro-plant are ongoing.) With the fees in place, it’s hard to pursue full Chris McCandless-style wilderness-poverty—you’re always packing cash.
Fortunately, next week (April 16-24), America’s parks are 100% off. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park System, admission will be free for all cars, bikes and pedestrians in all 400+ of our national lands. While the public is offered a few other sporadic days during the year, National Park Week the time to really engage—take a week and explore a canyon.
Or, go broad, and hit up as many parks as you can: We’re laying down the Acadia to Joshua Tree challenge right now. Make a film with bouldering friends to a Tycho soundtrack, or roam in solitude and silence. Regardless of what you end up doing, tag us. We’ll probably be in the office.