This Saturday marks the 30th annual National Public Lands Day, offering the opportunity for visitors across the country to celebrate and give back to America’s treasured public lands.
In honor of the milestone anniversary, National Parks and National Monuments throughout the nation, including those here in the desert southwest, will offer free entry this Saturday, September 23rd. From the grandeur of the Grand Canyon to the otherworldly landscape of Joshua Tree, visitors can explore these sites fee-free.
Many national forests are also waving fees in pay-to-use areas on September 23rd, such as Arizona’s Prescott National Forest.
Established in 1994, National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort focused on public lands. Every year on the fourth Saturday in September, hundreds of thousands of volunteers work together to restore and preserve public green spaces across the country.
This year’s theme — 30 Years of Care and Community — celebrates three decades of stewardship towards the shared public spaces that connect us all. National Public Lands Day organizers invite both new and returning visitors to consider giving back through volunteering this year.
Of course, the most popular way to take part is simply to get out and explore a National Park site near you on September 23rd. While most National Park sites are already free year-round, around 100 parks do charge entrance fees ranging from $5 to $35. The fee-free day offers the perfect opportunity to visit one of these sites.
Here’s a quick look at the most popular National Parks in the desert southwest region participating with free entry on September 23rd:
- Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
- Saguaro National Park (AZ)
- Petrified Forest National Park (AZ)
- Death Valley National Park (CA)
- Joshua Tree National Park (CA)
See below for a full list of parks in the desert southwest offering free entry.
Entry fees collected at sites like these help the National Park Service to maintain trails, facilities, habitat, and educational programs. So although the fee will be waived for the day, consider making a donation to support your public lands on this special anniversary occasion.
As we celebrate 30 years of public lands stewardship, this National Public Lands Day is the perfect time to get out and explore these national treasures. With free entry and ideal weather across the southwest, this Saturday presents a unique opportunity to discover the expansive beauty of your National Parks.
Arizona’s National Park Service Units Offering Free Entry on National Public Lands Day
National Parks:
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Saguaro National Park
National Monuments:
- Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
- Chiricahua National Monument
- Ironwood Forest National Monument
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Pipe Spring National Monument
- Sonoran Desert National Monument
- Tonto National Monument
- Tuzigoot National Monument
- Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
- Wupatki National Monument
National Recreation Areas:
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Utah’s National Park Service Units Offering Free Entry on National Public Lands Day
National Parks:
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Zion National Park
National Monuments:
- Bears Ears National Monument
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument
National Recreation Areas:
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
California’s National Park Service Units (Desert Region) Offering Free Entry on National Public Lands Day
National Parks:
- Death Valley National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
National Monuments:
- Castle Mountains National Monument
- Carrizo Plain National Monument
- Giant Sequoia National Monument
- Mojave Trails National Monument
- Sand to Snow National Monument
National Recreation Areas:
- Death Valley National Recreation Area
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Nevada’s National Park Service Units Offering Free Entry on National Public Lands Day
National Parks:
- Death Valley National Park (partial)
- Great Basin National Park
National Monuments:
- Basin and Range National Monument
- Gold Butte National Monument
- Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
National Recreation Areas:
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Western Colorado’s National Park Service Units Offering Free Entry on National Public Lands Day
National Parks:
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Mesa Verde National Park
National Monuments:
- Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
- Colorado National Monument
- Dinosaur National Monument (partial)
- Hovenweep National Monument (partial)
National Recreation Areas:
- Curecanti National Recreation Area
New Mexico’s National Park Service Units Offering Free Entry on National Public Lands Day
National Parks:
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- White Sands National Park
National Monuments:
- Aztec Ruins National Monument
- Bandelier National Monument
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- El Malpais National Monument
- El Morro National Monument
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
- Petroglyph National Monument
- Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Western Texas’ National Park Service Units Offering Free Entry on National Public Lands Day
National Parks:
- Big Bend National Park
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
National Monuments:
- Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
- Fort Davis National Historic Site
National Recreation Areas:
- Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
Cover photo courtesy of: Andrew Sterling
