Free Fun Outdoors

If you already set your New Year’s resolutions, way to go! If you have yet to choose a goal, why not make it an intention to visit at least a few national or state parks this year.

Did you know that there are 423 National Park Service sites? The best part is that you can visit for free on 5 dates in 2022:

• January 17: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

• April 16: First day of National Park Week

• August 4: Great American Outdoors Act

• September 24: National Public Lands Day

• November 11: Veterans Day

You give your family the gift of green time when you spend time together outdoors. You don’t need to be an expert camper or day tripper to enjoy the parks. Encourage older kids to help plan your itinerary. Have a sense of humor on your trip and remember that if something doesn’t go according to plan, it often becomes a funny story later.

If a national park is too long of a trek, go on an adventure closer to home. Many states have special days when admission is waived. Minnesota offers 4 free admission dates in 2022. In Wisconsin, the first week of June is Free Fun Weekend when park admission stickers and fishing licenses are not required. Check out Cave Point County Park which is featured in my latest book, The Gift of Green Time: 50 Ways for Families to Disconnect (and Reconnect) Outdoors – Door County. https://www.bevgillen.com/the-gift-of-green-time