Visit a National Park in Oregon for free during National Park Week 2024
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The U.S. National Park Service is offering free entry to all national parks on April 20, in honor of National Parks Week.
Some of the most popular national parks located in and around Oregon include Crater Lake, Olympic, North Cascades, Redwood and Glacier National Parks. The NPS also offers free entry to its parks on Jan. 15, June 19, Aug. 4, Sept. 28 and Nov. 11.
“Join us for National Park Week, a nine-day celebration of everything parks,” the NPS announced. “Not just about more than 400 national parks nationwide of different shapes, sizes, and types. Also discover what the National Park Service does through our programs and partners to preserve natural and cultural heritage and provide recreational opportunities in places across the country — and even the world.”
The sun rises over Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake lies in the caldera of an ancient volcano called Mount Mazama that collapsed 7,700 years ago, according the the National Parks Service. It is the deepest lake in the United States and is famous for its vivid blue color and water clarity. | Credit (Marc Adamus/The Register-Guard via AP, File) 
North Cascades National Park in Washington. (VisitSeattle.org) 
Redwood National Park in Northern California. (Getty Images) 
In this photo taken Tuesday, July 9, 2019, the Olympic Mountains are seen beyond a forest from Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park, near Port Angeles, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) 
An avalanche forecaster approaches the crown of an avalanche that occurred in Glacier National Park, MT. (USGS)
Park visitors can seek out the country's various National Parks through the NPS website. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities like camping, boat launches, or special tours.
NPS has included a list of themes for each day of the 2024 celebration:
- Saturday, April 20: Discovery. What will you discover? A new place, a new interesting fact, a new activity... To kick off National Park Week and encourage you make that new discovery, entrance fees are waived on April 20!
- Sunday, April 21: Volunteers. Use your time and talents as a volunteer in your national parks. Find opportunities to volunteer for a single event or long-term position.
- Monday, April 22: Earth Day. Join the global celebration encouraging education and stewardship of the planet's natural resources. Many parks are hosting volunteer events. You can also find ways to practice conservation at home.
- Tuesday, April 23: Innovation. History of our nation's innovation is preserved in national parks. Also learn about the innovative projects happening in parks or through our programs today.
- Wednesday, April 24: Workforce Wednesday. Meet our incredible workforce of employees, interns, fellows, volunteers, contractors, partners, and more. Consider joining our team!
- Thursday, April 25: Youth Engagement. Calling the rising generation of stewards! Learn about the opportunities for youth and young adults to get involved and see what your peers are up to.
- Friday, April 26: Community Connections. Learn about the important work our programs and partners are doing in communities across the country both within and outside of our park boundaries.
- Saturday, April 27: Junior Ranger Day. For kids (and kids at heart), become a Junior Ranger through in-person or online activities to learn about special places or topics. You may even earn a Junior Ranger badge!
- Sunday, April 28: Arts in Parks. Home of many arts past and present, find your muse creating arts within parks. Also learn about preserving and practicing arts in your communities through the work of our programs and partners.