Earlier this year, the National Parks Service announced five entrance-fee free days for 2019. In other words, any national park that charges an entrance fee will offer complimentary admission to everyone on those specific days.
This Veterans Day, November 11th, is your last chance to take advantage of this opportunity. So, mark your calendars! Don’t miss your chance to celebrate and explore your local national parks, at no cost to you.
If you want to visit a national park on November 11th but don’t know where to go, check out our list of parks to visit below!
Rocky Mountain National Park
Located in Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of America’s most popular national parks. In 2018, the park had 4,590,493 visitors! With the vast pine forests, beautiful alpine lakes, and variety of hiking trails, it’s easy to see why this park is so popular. Although great to visit year-round, Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall is breathtaking! Not only will you be able to see beautiful fall foliage, but fall is also rutting season for the park’s elk herds. As the temperature drops, the elk will migrate, making for great wildlife viewing opportunities.
Just remember, weather in the Rocky Mountains changes quickly, especially with winter approaching. Make sure you check out the current weather conditions before making the trip.
Zion National Park
If you want to visit a warmer destination, Zion National Park is a great option. Located in Southern Utah, the park will have mild temperatures and less rain during November. Although, the perfect hiking and canyoneering weather means the park may still be quite crowded.
Fall foliage may still be visible in early November, which makes for a beautiful change in scenery! If you plan on hiking, be sure to wear layers. The weather may still be rather warm, but the temperature can change quickly. According to the National Park Service, the high and low temperatures can vary by 30 degrees each day. If you’d rather not hike, drive the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive instead!
Sequoia National Park
Found in California, Sequoia National Park is filled with diverse and dramatic landscapes. Better yet, the park offers a wide variety of activities, so there’s something to do for everyone! Whether you want to spend your time hiking, taking a scenic drive, exploring caves, or walking through sequoia groves, Sequoia National Park will keep you busy all day long.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure you come prepared. The weather can vary widely throughout the park, and storms are common.
In Conclusion
Visiting our national parks is a great way to get outside and explore nature, and this list doesn’t even begin to crack the surface. There are a total of 61 national parks in the US! Don’t miss out on an opportunity to explore these beautiful parks for free. Grab your loves ones, and get outside on November 11th.
To find a national park near you, use the National Park Services’ Find a Park feature. If you end up visiting one, let us know! We’d love to hear about your adventures.
