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Visit US National Parks for Free on Select Days in 2018

Dec. 14, 2017
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2 min read
yosemite national park
Visit US National Parks for Free on Select Days in 2018
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The US National Park Service has announced its fee-free days for visiting National Parks in 2018. The Park Service will allow the public to enter all 417 National Parks for free on four days next year.

Entrance fees will be waived on the following days next year:

  • January 15 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • April 21 — First Day of National Park Week
  • September 22 — National Public Lands Day
  • November 11 — Veterans Day

Although only 118 of the parks charge entrance fees, some of them can be a bit pricey. Famous parks like Yosemite and the Grand Canyon charge $30 per vehicle, and the National Park Service is now proposing to increase that to $70. Taking advantage of the free days could save you some serious cash.

Unfortunately the Park Service has heavily reduced the free days compared to last year, cutting six days off the calendar. Keep in mind, too, that the free entrance days don't exempt you from paying for extras like camping, boat-launching and special tours.

There are also loads of points hotels outside many national parks, so make sure to so consider those when booking your trip to save even more money.

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If you can't get to the great outdoors on one of the free days, the Park Service offers an unlimited entrance pass for only $80 per year. Active military, senior citizens, families of fourth grade students and disabled citizens also qualify for free or discounted passes.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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