Shenandoah National Park to offer free admission on Aug. 25

The National Park Service is turning 99 years old on Aug. 25 and Shenandoah National Park wants to give you a present – free admission.

The usual entrance fee of $20.00 will be waived for all visitors on August 25. Come to the park and attend a Ranger led program or take a hike on one of many trails.  On this special day the Shenandoah National Park Association will be offering a 10% discount on all items in their bookstores located at the Dickey Ridge and the Byrd Visitor Centers.

In preparation for next year’s big centennial celebration, the National Park Service is inviting everyone to Find Your Park. To encourage people to discover everything a park experience can be, there is a fun list of 99 ways to Find Your Park. Shenandoah National Park is a great place to try #20 – bring a kid to a park, #75 – See a starry, starry, night or #95 – Go wild – experience wilderness.  You can also share your park experience with others by posting on social media with the hashtag #FindYourPark.

“This Founders Day marks a very special point in the history of the National Park Service – our 99th year, and the start of a year-long celebration leading to our Centennial in 2016”, said Shenandoah National Park Superintendent, Jim Northup.  “We invite everyone to come to Shenandoah National Park, this year, next year, and beyond, to experience all this wonderful park has to offer”.

On Aug. 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation to create the National Park Service. Today, there are 408 national parks throughout the country and each one tells an important part of the American story. Some commemorate notable people and achievements, others conserve magnificent landscapes and natural wonders, and all provide a place to have fun and learn. And, on August 25, all national parks will offer free entrance for everyone.

Shenandoah National Park was established in 1935 to preserve an area of natural beauty and to provide recreational opportunities for the people in the region. Last year, more than 1,255,300 park visitors enjoyed the site and added close to $80.4 million to the local economy and supported 1,085 area jobs.

The mission of the National Park Service also extends beyond park boundaries. Community partnerships help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. To see what is happening in Virginia, go towww.nps.gov/VA.