To celebrate its 104th birthday, the National Park Service will waive entrance fees at destinations all across the country tomorrow. Of course, given the current pandemic, visitors should expect the parks to look slightly different from what is standard: indoor facilities the likes of visitor centers may be closed as might some campgrounds. We suggest learning about the specifics of each park before heading there by visiting this website.
Strict guidelines are also in place across each park. As a general statement, the National Park Service recommends but doesn't require the use of face coverings. That being said, we suggest wearing a mask when in the midst of a big number of people, even while outdoors.
The service's birthday isn't the only cause of celebration this summer: at the end of July, the U.S. Congress approved a 9.5 billion budget for the maintenance of our national parks, courtesy of the Great American Outdoors Act, a truly remarkable and historic piece of legislation that seeks to fix the infrastructures that have been slowly deteriorating at national parks all across the country.
And, if you're itching for a road trip that will take you face-to-face with the natural splendor of the United States (Europe is still off-limits, after all), here is the most efficient way to see all 47 national parks in the country. You are welcome.
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