How to Gain Free Entry to National Parks for Free in 2020

The National Park Service is a national treasure, especially if you're a person who loves to get outdoors and hike, take pictures, get some fresh air, or just see some nature. If you're traveling or hoping to get outside for Spring Break and you're near a National Park (which most people are or can easily drive to), this is the time to see some of America's most beautiful scenery, along with amazing plants and native animals. For a whole week, you can get in to all National Parks free of charge. 

Use this week as a budget-friendly way to see some nature, get some exercise, and maybe even educate yourself or your kiddos by visiting famous landmarks or historical site. Pack a picnic or even pack up your car for a few days away to make the most of your free time. 

Some things you could do:

• Find a park! 
• April 18: Today is National Junior Ranger Day! Get the kids involved in the Junior Ranger program. This free program allows them to learn through fun programs, games and exploration. When they finish the assignment at each park they visit, they get a special badge. 
• April 19: Volunteer Day! Make your local park (or one you're visiting near) a better place by volunteering for things they need, like clean-up, because you're awesome and you love to give back.
• April 20: Military Monday! Did you know that you can get a free Parks pass by using your military ID? That's cool, right? Even if you aren't a member of the military, you can show up and show your appreciation for those that dedicate themselves to our country.
• April 21: Transportation Tuesday! Learn about past, present, and future transportation getting visitors to parks.
• April 22: Today is Earth Day! Show your appreciation for Mother Nature and a free outing by getting involved in clean-up programs and other activities. 
• April 23: Throwback Thursday! Explore the history preserved in national parks while also learning about the ongoing efforts of the National Park Service and partners to preserve America's cultural treasures in communities across the country.
• April 24: Friendship Friday! Join an Instagram meet-up and make some new outdoorsy friends to take pics with and post to inspire others to also get outside and pay a visit to a National Park near them.
• April 25: Park Rx Day! Learn how to get healthier and get moving when parks hosts fun activities to promote physical and mental health.
• April 26: Bark Ranger Day! Bring your pup(s) to the park and then learn more about the dogs that actually work in the parks. So many puppies!

If camping is something you love, you can definitely find one where you can pitch your tent. if you are into birdwatching, get your binoculars out and find the best park for that. If you want to learn how people farmed and harvested in the old days, you can find a park to learn about that, too! Use the Find a Park page to search by activity or by where you are. Not sure which park is the best for you? Check out Budget Travel's post about finding just that!

Now, go pack a weekender bag with some sunscreen, walking shoes, your camera, and a couple changes of underwear and get out there and see the cool stuff our nation has on display for absolutely nothing.

If you can't get time to visit during National Park Week, you can also get free admission to parks on these dates:

• January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• August 25: National Park Service Birthday
• September 26: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

Where will you be headed for National Park Week?

Looking Ahead to Spring Break

Now that the holidays are over, it's time to start thinking about your travel plans for 2020. I know a ton of people will be doing a spring break getaway, which can be expensive if you aren't prepared. Most people will be driving, but the skies will also be busy.

Bring a back-up pair of sunglasses, double-check you brought your phone charger (and battery back-up), make sure your passport and ID are valid and have a great time, because it's good for you!. 

I'll be traveling before Spring Break, but where's everyone else going?

2020 Is Here

It's here! 2020 has arrived and we still don't have flying cars or transporter tubes or bullet trains in America. Bummer, right? Well, yes and no. We have so many options to for new destinations and getting there and saving money in the process, so I guess it helps take the sting out of not being able to get into a 52 car pile-up in the sky (because that would totally happen every. single. day.) 

I found 2019 to be a lot better than most people I know. I went to Las Vegas twice, got to go to Scotland and England, immersed myself in a lot of magic, made some new friends, met up with old friends, and survived staying in an Airbnb with family for a week. 

One of my biggest highlights from my 2019 travel was going falconing
and meeting Archie, who likes cuddles and selfies.

This year is on course to be amazing too, despite not going anywhere new for me, which also gives me some low travel expectation, meaning chance for disappointment is at an all time low. We won't be going out of the country, but that's okay, because here's what's definitely happening:

In March my mom and I will be headed to New Orleans for the 2020 Travel Goods Show. We'll be there for 4-5 days to explore the city and its food (that's more for me). I'll get to take my mom to see things that I thought was cool when we were there and hopefully see more of City Park if we have time. I want to take a ton more pics of Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, which will be easy, since we'll be staying in the Quarter. 

In July Eric and I will head back to Vegas for NBA Summer League. I have big plans to meet up with a friend or two, to hit up some new coffee shops, check out a couple places that have been on my list up to this point, ride the Monorail a lot, and eat a bunch of great food. My two goals are to eat at NoMAD and hit up a drag brunch. 

These Yule Ball attendees BROUGHT IT with their looks!

At the very beginning of August, we'll be hosting our 7th annual Harry Potter birthday party. This year's theme is Hogwarts Goes Hawaiian, in which we use this one throwaway paragraph in Goblet of Fire as inspiration: "...Harry had no idea where Dumbledore went during the summer holidays. He amused himself for a moment, picturing Dumbledore, with his long silver beard, full-length wizard's robes, and pointed hat, stretched out on a beach somewhere, rubbing suntan lotion onto his long crooked nose.” Do his robes have have a tropical print on them? Is he wearing flip flops? If other teachers came, what would their attire be? We don't know, but I want to find out! 

In September, Eric and I will be taking a necessary trip to Orlando to do Walt Disney World and Universal. We may have a friend join us on all or part of that trip. We'll be enjoying EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival, the new Galaxy's Edge, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, possibly Halloween Horror Nights, Butterbeer (obvs), Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, and so. much. walking. 

In October we'll be back to throwing our annual Halloween party, which will be decked out like Grimmauld Place, and then we'll transition Number 12 for Christmas, where I'm hoping people will come up with some cool ugly wizard sweaters/attire to celebrate my birthday. There will also be the 4th annual Yule Ball that I'll be going to. 

After this, we'll start getting ready for a trip to Iceland in 2021, because it's far beyond time we make it there. 

What are your goals (travel or otherwise) for this year? And if you have any creative ideas for Hawaiian Potter cosplays, I want to hear them in the comments!