You won’t be charged to get into a National Park this weekend, and free admission is what park officials hope will draw more residents into the parks.
All week, visitors to all 394 National Parks in the U.S. have waived their entrance fees, including Prince William Forest and Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania parks, as part of National Park Week 2011.
This year’s theme: Healthy Parks, Healthy People, aims to make a connection between people and the natural outdoors.
“During National Park Week, we reaffirm our need to maintain connections to the natural world. Whether on the open range or in the heart of a bustling city, each of us can work to conserve our lands and reinforce the importance of setting aside beautiful places for inspiration, relaxation, and recreation for all people,” stated President Barack Obama in a press release.
Prince William Forest Park’s main entrance is in Triangle, and the park itself includes 37 miles of hiking trails, 21 miles of biking trails, and camping.
At Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, known as the bloodiest landscape in North America for the Civil War, the park offers walking trials and a glimpse into the bloody conflict that divided nation between in 1861 and 1865.
There are 21 National Parks in Virginia, all of which brought in $5 million to the state in 2010, and 22.7 million visitors to the state in 2009, according to the National Park Service.
National Parks Week 2011 began April 18 and ends Sunday.
Slide show By Mary Davidson
