National Parks to offer free admission on Veterans Day, Nov. 11

What better place than the wide-open spaces within a national park or wildlife refuge to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and the sacrifices made by members of the armed services to protect those freedoms?

In honor of these heroes, all public recreation land managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation will waive entrance fees for them and the general public on Veterans Day next Wednesday.

(This was reported previously by colleague Jane Engle in the L.A. Times travel blog.)

“The Department of the Interior is honored to offer this fee-free day to thank our nation’s service men and women,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a news release. “The sacrifices and achievements of the brave men and women of our armed forces can never be understated. We invite all of our visitors to enjoy this fee-free day and take time out on this national holiday to remember our service men and women who are currently serving overseas in harms way. ”

Only entrance fees are waived. Fees associated with camping, lodging or other activities will be collected.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo of Yosemite's El Capitan and the Merced River by © Darrell Gulin/CORBIS

Comments

[mime]

I can't go because I have no money for gas or bus ticket.

I'll try to hitch hike a ride.

[gman]

What no better place to reflect on the benefits of peace!