National parks to offer 3 free weekends

After bailouts for banks and car makers, the federal government announced Tuesday a small bailout for families: free entrance to most national parks and monuments on three weekends this summer.

In Utah, that could save families from $5 a vehicle (the normal fee at Capitol Reef National Park) to $25 a vehicle (the normal fee at Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks).

The free-entrance weekends are June 20-21, July 18-19, and Aug. 15-16. Other fees for camping, reservations, tours and other services will continue as normal.

"During these tough economic times, our national parks provide opportunities for affordable vacations for families," said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar as he announced the deal during a visit to Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio.

"I encourage everyone to visit one of our nation's crown jewels this summer and especially to take advantage of the three free-admission weekends," he said.

He added that he hopes that promoting visiting parks "will give a small shot in the arm to businesses in the area" around them.

Parks and monuments in Utah that will participate in the free entrance days include: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Cedar Breaks, Dinosaur, Glen Canyon, Golden Spike, Hovenweep, Natural Bridges and Zion.

Timpanogos Cave will still be charging fees for cave tours on those days. Entrance to Rainbow Bridge National Monument is always free.

Salazar said that besides free entrance to parks on some weekends, some park partners — including hotels, gifts shops and tour operators — will offer additional discounts and promotions on those dates. Information about them will be listed at www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

Some deals listed there on Tuesday, for example, included a two-for-one deal for boat tours on Lake Powell to Rainbow Bridge; free houseboat rides on Lake Mead; free digital photos at the Grand Canyon's north rim; and a Yellowstone concessionaire offering $5 coupons good toward any purchases.

"Tourism income helps America's economic recovery," Salazar said Tuesday.

The Park Service notes that most Americans, and virtually all Utahns, live within less than a day's drive of a national park or monument. It said the park service attracted more than 275 million recreation visits last year, and spending by non-local visitors provided $10.6 billion for local economies, supporting 213,000 jobs near the parks.

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