Bryce Canyon by Alaskan Dude/Flickr
A lot of people asked for more suggestions for free, fun things to do as part of my reader contest to win $249 worth of swag. Here is one idea: this weekend, August 14-15, 2010 entrance to more than 100 National Parks is free. Click on the above link for a listing of participating parks by state or name.
The list includes Grand Canyon National Park, Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Everglades National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Acadia National Park, Glacier National Park, Big Bend National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park. Many of these are on my list of places to visit!
The freebie covers entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. You still have to pay other fees, like for reservations, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties. I’m guessing this last part includes things like maps at the ranger station or firewood. At six of the parks, concessioners selling food, transportation, lodging and tours are offering discounts and coupons.
If you want to camp for free, there are tons of places where you can pitch a tent for no charge across the country, including BLM land, Wilderness Areas, and National Forests. I’m going camping in October and can’t wait!
Upcoming admission-free days at our National Parks:
- September 25, 2010
(Public Lands Day) - November 11, 2010
(Veterans Day)
If you are looking for fun things to do closer to home, check out this post on free and very cheap dates. If you live in Los Angeles or are visiting, make sure to get free tickets to the taping of a television show. Get behind the scenes and gape at your favorite stars. Lastly, check out these five ways to get free or cheap tickets to the theater.
nwrafting/Flickr
Planning a summer vacation? Keep in mind that there are hundreds of places you can camp for free, making the great outdoors a true bargain. Kevin Mack, who is campaign director at the Wilderness Society in Washington, D.C., and I talked last year about free camping options. Many are rustic – but not all!
Wilderness areas – the most protected land in the U.S. may require a permit but often there is no fee. Mechanized travel is not allowed, so no cars or bikes. Campgrounds are not carved out like at national parks and there is no running water or toilets. You can park on the edge of a wilderness area and hike in, or go by horseback, kayak, or canoe. Once you get there you can hunt, fish, hike and rock climb. For more info visit Wilderness.net, which has a handy map of wilderness areas.
BLM land – a whopping 89 percent of Bureau of Land Management territory does not cost anything to camp on. Some areas require a permit, others don’t. Most are unmarked and waiting for you to find them. Typically, BLM land has minimal or no services (like running water, pit toilets, or designated campsites). You may be able to drive in on a 4-wheel vehicle, hike in, or park on the road and pitch a tent. “But it doesn’t have to be a primitive experience,” Kevin said. “I have done car camping on BLM land. You can bring a cooler and have a gin and tonic at the end of the day. The only difference is you are by yourself and you have to think creatively about your bathroom facilities.” About 10 percent of BLM land is managed by the National Landscape Conservation System, which offers more traditional camping options.
National Forests – most are free to camp in and ideal for folks comfortable looking at a map and contacting the local ranger station for info. You don’t have to be a burly man or 20-something backpacker, Kevin said. “Just be willing to step off the paved road…and drive down a dirt road and chose your own camp spot,” he said. National forests that are highly trafficked usually have fees. Search for sites by state on this page.
RV sites for less than $10 a night - if you RV, check out FreeCampgrounds.com, which lists places to park overnight by state for less than $10. The list includes parks, rest areas, store parking lots, and more. The site also lists Wal-Mart stores that do NOT allow overnight parking.
FreeCampground.com – this site lists a limited number of free sites by state. There were just seven free campgrounds in California, two in Florida and one in New York.
Are you taking a vacation this summer? What kind? I want to take a vacation that combines a few days vegging on the beach and a few days visiting museums and exploring a new city.
