National parks will be open for free Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The day is one of nine fee-free days the National Park Service has on the calendar in 2014. On the dates, all 401 national parks will offer free admission, though only 133 usually charge admission, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
“National parks are well-known for scenic beauty and outdoor recreation but they are also fantastic places to learn about the people and events that have shaped our nation,” National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said in a news release. “Historic sites, battlefields and memorials across the country preserve the places and tell the stories of our national struggles and accomplishments. I encourage everyone to take time to visit a national park on Monday, especially one of the many dedicated to Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.”
Other dates in 2014 with no admission are:
- Feb. 15-17 for Presidents Day weekend
- April 19-20 for National Park Week’s opening weekend
- Aug. 25 for National Park Service’s 98th birthday
- Sept. 27 for National Public Lands Day
- Nov. 11 for Veterans Day
While entrance, commercial tour and transportation entrance fees are waived on these days, some fees — such as those collected by third parties — will not be waived.
