National Parks Are FREE On This Special Day — Visit These 5 Spots Near NYC
If you’re looking to escape New York City this fall, why not visit one our country’s beautiful national parks? The National Park Service is offering free admission to all the national parks on September 28th to honor National Public Lands Day (NPLD).
Celebrated annually every fourth Saturday of September, National Environmental Education Foundation puts on NPLD to celebrate the largest-single day volunteer effort for public lands in the nation. It’s an opportunity to appreciate, honor and conserve our public lands. Last NPLD, volunteers contributed 41,500 hours of service. This year’s theme for NPLD is “Together for Tomorrow.”
Here are some of the closest national parks to NYC that you can visit on NPLD, September 28th, 2024.
1. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
From wildflower fields to rushing waterfalls, Shenandoah National Park stretches 200,000 acres of protected land. In the day, you can spend your visit hiking to the summit of Old Rag and at night you can catch an incredible view of the constellations glittering in the open sky.
5 hours 20 minutes
2. Acadia National Park, Maine
Home of the highest rocky headlands along the United State’s Atlantic coastline, Acadia National Park boasts 7 miles of historic motor roads and 158 miles of hiking trails. In fact, Acadia National Park is one of the top 10 most visited national parks in the country. And since off-season begins in November, there’s no better time to get a visit in this season than on NPLD.
8 hours 56 minutes
3. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary starting this September. Come celebrate by admiring the park’s beautiful fall foliage or follow along the rushing Cuyahoga River.
7 hours 33 minutes
4. New River George National Park, West Virginia
Speaking of rivers, you can river raft on one of the oldest rivers on Earth at New River George National Park. The New River spans 53 glorious miles between Bluestone Dam and Hawk’s Nest Lake and is definitely a must-see feature of the park. Not a fan of water activities? New River George National Park offers 70,000 acres of land to bird watch, hike, picnic and more.
8 hours 38 minutes
5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee
Hike along ancient mountains at America’s most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, you can get a taste of what’s left of true Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Whether you’re camping or roaming along trails, just be sure to stay out of any bear’s way!
11 hours 18 minutes
All the details about free admission on NPLD can be found on the National Park Service website.
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