Get into national parks free on Feb. 16 — but there’s a catch

If you want to get outdoors, note that this year, Presidents Day falls on Monday, Feb. 16, when all national parks will be free to enter. But things are a bit different than in past years.

This year, the freebie days are only for American legal residents. Foreigners will pay much higher fees.

These freebies can save you $50, but you should definitely plan in advance and get up to go at the crack of dawn, before it gets crowded with sleepyheads. C’mon, you can do it.

You don’t need to sign up in advance, but make sure you don’t need reservations (which you probably don’t in February). Go to recreation.gov and search for the park you want and “timed entry” to find the reservation information.

Here are the nine national parks in California: Channel Islands (the boat ride won’t be free), Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Lassen, Pinnacles, Redwood, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Yosemite. (Note that Yosemite’s still going to be snowy in February, and probably Lassen and Kings Canyon too.)

The next free day will be Memorial Day, on May 25. Gee, that won’t be crowded, right?

Learn more: nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm#free_entrance_days