Gulf Islands National Seashore offers nine fee free days

Circle the dates on the calendar and plan your trip – America’s 401 national parks will offer free admission on nine days in 2014, including several holidays.

The entrance fee-free days are:

•              January 20th – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

•              February 15th to February 17th – Presidents Day weekend

•              April 19th to April 20th – National Park Week’s opening weekend

•              August 25th – National Park Service’s 98th birthday

•              September 27th – National Public Lands Day

•              November 11th – Veterans Day

“America’s national parks welcome more than 280 million visitors a year. To say thanks for that support and invite every American to visit these treasures that they own, we are declaring nine days of free admission next year,” said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis.

Superintendent Dan Brown encourages visitors and residents to come explore and enjoy the beautiful beaches, museums, programs, historic forts and recreational opportunities which abound within the National Seashore. Camping is also available at the Fort Pickens Area of the Seashore. The fee free days apply only to entrance fees. All campground sites are $26 per night with water and electricity hook-ups, grills/fire rings, and picnic tables.  Reservations can be made up to six months in advance for camping year round by calling Recreation.Gov at 877-444-6777 or visiting their website at www.recreation.gov.  Walk-ins will be accepted on a space available basis. Park entrance stations will have Senior and Annual Passes available for those who wish to purchase them. 

For a full description of the facilities and programs currently available, visit the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/guis or contact the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center at 934-2600.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Gulf Islands National Seashore offers nine fee free days