Visiting any of our national parks is an experience that can create a lifetime of memories. You’ll see spectacular sights ranging from the highest mountains to the depths of breath taking canyons.

Free Admission Days For All National Parks In 2012

• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 14 to 16
• National Park Week, April 21 to 29
• Get Outdoors Day, June 9
• National Public Lands Day, September 29
• Veterans Day weekend, November 10 to 12

National Park Categories

• National Park: These are generally large natural places having a wide variety of outdoor activities, at times including significant historic resources. Activities including hunting and mining and are not allowed.
• National Monument: The President can declare landmarks, structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest situated on lands owned or controlled by the government to be national monuments.
• National Preserve: The 18 national preserves are similar to national parks, but still allow public hunting, trapping, or sometimes oil/gas exploration and drilling.
• National Historic Site: Usually, a national historic site contains a single historical feature that was directly associated with its subject.
• National Historical Park: These sometime include historic parks that with several separated areas or buildings.
• National Memorial: A national memorial is commemorative of a historic person or episode and may not be located at a historic site.
• National Battlefield: This includes eleven national battlefields, three national battlefield parks, three national battlefield sites, and nine national military parks.
• National Cemetery: There are presently 14 national cemeteries.
• National Recreation Area: Twelve national recreation areas are on large reservoirs and five others are located near large cities. Such urban parks combine scarce open spaces with the preservation of significant historic resources and important natural areas in locations that can provide outdoor recreation for many people.
• National Seashore: Ten national seashores have been established on the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts; some are developed and some relatively primitive. Hunting is allowed at many of these sites.
• National Lakeshore: All four national lakeshores are on the Great Lakes.
• National River: These are called by various names including national river and recreation areas, national scenic rivers, wild rivers, etc.
• National Parkway: Four parkways are intended for scenic motoring – often between cultural sites.
• National Trail: There are over 3,600 miles of national scenic trails and national historic trails.

The National Park System also has unique names for some locations like the White House and Prince William Forest Park.