Free Admission Saturday to National Parks. Go Before GOP Forces Budget Shutdown That Will Close Parks Next Weekend

This Saturday is National Public Lands Day across America when admission fees are waived and all have free access to the parks. That includes Shenandoah National Park in the western part of Virginia, one of the 22 national parks in Virginia.

If Republicans follow through with their threats to shut down the government next weekend – I’m looking at the “Freedom” caucus that is leading the push for a shutdown and includes Virginia Reps. Ben Cline (6th District), Bob Good (5th District), and Morgan Griffith (9th District) – most if not all national parks will be indefinitely closed.

This will happen, as it has before, just in time for prime camping weather and autumn leaf season when visitors flock to Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway for one of the busiest times of the year.

So go this weekend if you can and enjoy a day in nature, see early fall color, and picnic on the ridges while the parks are still open for all to enjoy.

Background:

-Bloomberg Government: Potential Shutdown Threatens National Parks in Peak Fall Season: GAO ruled illegal to keep sites open

–Washington Post: A federal government shutdown looks more and more likely: What to know

–National Park Service: Free Entrance Days in the National Parks