In this economy, sometimes travel can take a back seat to the budget. SIGH. Well, in an effort to provide some great family fun for FREE, the U.S. National Park Service has made some special deal.

Our Geography Awareness Editor, Debbie Glade/smartpoodle, has written an article on many things you may not have known about our National Parks!

Here's great news from the U.S. National Park Service!

America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better this summer with three fee-free weekends at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees*.

Mark your calendars for fee-free weekends this summer:

* June 20-21, 2009 (Father’s Day weekend)
* July 18-19, 2009
* August 15-16, 2009

And to make the fun even more affordable, many national park concessioners are joining the National Park Service in welcoming visitors on this summer’s fee free weekends with the their own special offers.

Here’s a tip – many national parks never charge an entrance fee, so you can plan inexpensive visits year round!

For a list of family fun activities this summer, visit National Parks: The Place to Be for Family Fun.

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

For more information, please see:

http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm