The National Park Service is waiving all entrance fees for six days in 2024. You can enjoy beautiful scenery and history with great savings at a national park for free on any or all of the entrance fee-free days in 2024:
Monday, January 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Saturday, April 20 – First Day of National Park Week
Wednesday, June 19 -- Juneteenth
Sunday, August 4 - Great American Outdoors Day
Saturday, September 28 – National Public Lands Day
Monday, November 11 – Veterans Day
There are more than 400 National Park Service sites through the country, including approximately 100 that charge entrance fees. During fee-free days, entrance fees are waived for all visitors. The entrance fee waiver for the fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for things such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or concession tours or rentals.
To continue the national park adventure beyond these fee-free days, the annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks that charge an entrance fee. There are also free or discounted passes available for senior citizens, current members of the military, families of fourth grade students, and disabled citizens. For more information, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm.
Central Virginia
In Central Virginia, head north to Waynesboro on National Park Service fee-free days and take a free drive on the 105-mile Skyline Drive, which runs through Shenandoah National Park from Front Royal, VA south to the north end of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Waynesboro. There are nearly 80 wayside overlooks on the Skyline Drive, many with access to the Appalachian Trail and more than 500 miles of hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park. There are also picnic areas and several visitor centers along the way. Get back to nature on the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. While you're there, enjoy these 10 Awesome Hikes in Shenandoah National Park with your family.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is located in Appomattox, approximately 30 minutes east of Lynchburg. Here you and your family can learn more about how our country was united following the Civil War. At Appomattox Court House visitors have opportunities to participate in living history talks and ranger lead talks, typically held from April to October. A living history talk is presented by a staff member who portrays a person who actually lived during 1865 and shares with visitors what he or she experienced around the time of the surrender. During the Covid-19 pandemic, your child can earn a Junior Ranger badge with the Junior Ranger on the Web program.
Booker T Washington National Monument is located in Hardy, approximately 45 minutes from Lynchburg. Booker T. Washington was born a slave in 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Washington's past influenced his philosophies as the most influential African American of his era. Come explore his birthplace. Children ages 6-12 can earn a Junior Ranger badge at the park.
You'll find events to last you all year long in the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar of events on our website. Subscribe to receive a FREE weekly listing of events and activities, as well as articles and guides about local family fun. Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® at one of the National Parks during 2024 and any day here in Central Virginia!
