The Inland Echo

Of our U.S. National Parks, 244 are already free to enter; 147 of the big ones charge admission fees of up to $25. This summer, on three weekends (June 20-21, July 18-19, and August 15-16), those admission fees will be waived, apparently in response to the current economic slowdown. "During these tough economic times," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar in announcing the free weekend admission, "our national parks provide opportunities for affordable vacations for families."

The announcement set off triumphant comments by the several organizations that advocate permanent free entrance to the National Parks, claiming that these fees are a deterrent to park visits. "Twenty, twenty-five dollars does mean a lot to people," said Kitty Benzar, president of the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition.

Keep in mind that the no-fee weekends are only three in number, occurring only on the exact dates listed above.

Click here for a full list of parks.

Read more on the official Frommers.com website.

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