Park hosting many special events throughout the week
Yosemite National Park will celebrate National Park Week, Earth Day, California State Park Ranger 150th Anniversary, and National Junior Ranger Day from Saturday, April 16, through Sunday, April 24, 2016. Park entrance fees will be waived for Yosemite National Park on Saturday, April 16, to Sunday, April 24, 2016 to celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service. Camping fees and all other fees will still be applicable. The park will host many special events throughout the week culminating in the Earth Day Festival, which will be held on Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center.
Special events throughout the week include showings of Ken Burn’s films “This is America” and “The Nation Parks: America’s Best Idea.” Other events throughout the week include special walks with park rangers, hikes with NPS Centennial partner, REI, and opportunities to become a Centennial Jr. Ranger. There will be several family friendly events, all free of charge, during the Earth Day Festival on Saturday April 23. There will also be free rides into the park from Fresno and Merced on Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) for the event. For more information about all of the events in the park, including the Earth Day Festival, please visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm .
“We are very excited about the upcoming National Park Week celebrations and the special events here in Yosemite in honor of the Centennial of the National Park Service”, stated Don Neubacher, Park Superintendent. “We encourage all visitors to participate in events during National Park Week.”
National Park week is America’s largest celebration of national heritage. It is about making great connections, exploring amazing places, discovering open spaces, enjoying affordable vacations, and enhancing America’s best idea—the national parks! Each of the 410 national park units across the country will also be celebrating National Park Week. To learn more about the National Park Service Centennial, please visit www.findyourpark.com .
Yosemite National Park celebrated its 125th Anniversary last year. The park welcomes over four million visitors from all over the world each year and serves as a strong economic engine for the region and local communities. Yosemite National Park generates $535 million in economic benefit to the local region and directly supports 6,261. The park is home to Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, and iconic rock formations such as Half Dome and El Capitan. The park also features approximately 90 different species of mammals and over 1500 species of flowering plants.
Visitor Center. https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/npweek16.htm
Source: Yosemite National Park News