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HOMESTEAD/KEY WEST, Florida – In honor of the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary on August 25, 2016, the National Park Service is inviting everyone to join its year-long centennial celebration, by offering free entrance on 16 days in 2016.
Pedro Ramos, Superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks, said, “We invite everyone to enjoy their National Parks during our centennial celebration this year, and especially on the days that free entrance will be provided. Come celebrate the past 100 years of these glorious places nationwide that have been set aside for all generations. Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks are right here in your back yard, with much to explore as you ‘Find Your Park.’”
The entrance fee free days in 2016 for all National Park Service units include: January 18 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), April 16-24 (National Park Week), August 25-28 (National Park Service’s 100th birthday), September 24 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day).
In addition, Everglades National Park will offer free admission for its Centennial Kick-off event this Saturday, January 9 at Shark Valley (fee free after 3:30 p.m.), followed by the South Florida National Parks Trust “Everglades After Dark” tram tour and dinner. (Reservations are required for the SFNPT event; please visit https://evergladesafterdark.eventbrite.com or call 305.665.4769.)
Free park entrance will also be provided for the 6th Annual Vintage Everglades Day celebration on Sunday, March 12 (during the event, main entrance near Homestead only) and Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 2 (for those who identify themselves as participants).
And all visitors can enjoy free park entrance, transportation, and guided tours aboard the Homestead National Parks Trolley, every Saturday and Sunday through May 1, 2016. (For more information please visit: www.cityofhomestead.com/gateway or call (305) 224-4457.)
The Gulf Coast entrance in Everglades City is free year round.
Fourth graders and their families also have free access to all Federal public lands in America for a full year, thanks to the “Every Kid in a Park” initiative.
Active duty military and citizens with a permanent disability can also get free passes.
For more information about the variety of discounted passes available, please visit the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass page.
On fee free days, Everglades National Park will waive fees at the main park entrance station near Homestead, and at the entrance station at Shark Valley.
The main park entrance is located at 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, Florida.
Shark Valley is located at 36000 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida (on Highway 41, 25 miles west of the Florida Turnpike).
The normal entrance fee is $20 per car. The entrance fee waiver does not include user fees for camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours. Click here to plan your visit to Everglades National Park: http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/index.htm
At Dry Tortugas National Park, please check in with our official providers of transportation to the park for schedules, prices, and reservations. (All transportation departs from Key West.) Ferries and seaplanes leaving from Key West will waive park entrance fees of $10 per visitor.
For ferry schedules, prices, and reservations, contact: Yankee Freedom III, phone 800-634-0939 or 305-294-7009; or http://www.yankeefreedom.com/ For seaplane schedules, prices, and reservations, contact: Key West Seaplane Adventures, phone 305-293-9300 or www.keywestseaplanecharters.com.
Before travelling to the park check out the park website or contact the general information number for tips on how best to experience the park at the time of year you plan to visit. Click here to plan your visit to Dry Tortugas National Park: http://www.nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/index.htm
More information on Everglades National Park can be found on the park website at http://www.nps.gov/ever
More information on Dry Tortugas National Park can be found on the park website at http://www.nps.gov/drto
The National Park Service invites you to share your own park experiences at www.FindYourPark.com under “Share Your Story,” or hashtag #FindYourPark on your own social media to join the conversation.
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