Entrance Fees To 6 Maryland National Parks Waived On Saturday

MARYLAND — Entrance to America’s national parks is free on Saturday, April 20, thanks to National Park Week 2019. That includes national parks, monuments, historic sites and federally managed areas, including six places in Maryland.

Visitors can celebrate National Park Week from April 20-28; Maryland has 18 national parks total. The National Park Service said there will be a variety of special programs and events at parks across the country.

Each day during National Park Week has a designated theme. Saturday, April 20, is “National Junior Ranger Day” while Sunday, April 21, is “Military & Veterans Recognition Day.”

You can see the theme for each day on the Park Service website.

After April 20, there are three more dates where visitors can enjoy free admission to national parks: Aug. 25, Sept. 28 and Nov. 11.

In Maryland, the following six national parks will offer free admission on Saturday. They range from Civil War battlefields to a national seashore.

Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg — This Civil War battlefield ended the first invasion by the Confederate Army into the north. There were 23,000 soldiers killed in a 12-hour battle on Sept. 17, 1862, known as the bloodiest day in American history. The site features a museum, self-guided hike and field hospital museum.

Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland, Virginia — Beaches, marshes, forests and bays are part of the landscape on this 37-mile barrier island, which is partly in Maryland and partly in Virginia. It is home to bands of wild horses.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Hagerstown — Take a look at the C&O Canal, which enabled coal, lumber and other products to get to market for 100 years along the Potomac River.

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore — The defense of Baltimore at this location inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Fort Washington Park in Fort Washington — Built to defend the river approach to Washington, D.C., this fort has evolved as a brick and stone structure in the 19th century to concrete and steel in the 20th century.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in MD, VA and WVA — A visit to this quaint, historic community, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is like stepping into the past. Stroll the picturesque streets, visit exhibits and museums, or hike our trails and battlefields.

Here's information on some of Maryland's other national parks:

Catoctin Mountain

Thurmont, Maryland
This park in Frederick County was created under the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt after the Great Depression. It is the site of the nation's first Job Corps Center.

Fort Foote

Oxon Hill, Maryland
Built in 1863, this site was designed to strengthen the ring of fortifications encircling Washington, D.C. Two of the guns that protected Washington remain along with earthworks.

Glen Echo Park

Glen Echo, Maryland
Started in 1891, this park offers year-round cultural and recreational activities. It houses an historic carousel and was at one time an amusement park.

Greenbelt Park

Greenbelt, Maryland
Just 12 miles from Washington, D.C., the park features a 174-site campground, 9 miles of trails and three picnic areas.

Hampton

Towson, Maryland
The Hampton estate includes a Georgian mansion, overseer's house and slave quarters as well as stables, an ice house, dairy and orangery. There are guided tours at the visitors center.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad

Cambridge, Maryland
This new national park is a tribute to Harriet Tubman, who helped carry others out of slavery. The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is located next door.

Monocacy

Frederick, Maryland
Soldiers fought along the banks of the Monocacy River during the summer of 1864 in the Civil War.

Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm

Oxon Hill, Maryland
Originally a plantation home during the War of 1812, the site transitioned to a hospital farm and then to a national park.

Piscataway Park

Accokeek, Maryland
Piscataway Park is home to wildlife, boardwalks, nature trails and a public fishing pier. The National Colonial Farm is also on-site.

Normally, 117 of the 417 national parks charge an entrance fee, with discounted rates and lifetime passes available for some groups.

Want to find a national park? There are more than 400 nationwide, and you can use this tool to find one.

You can also click here to find special events at national parks near you during National Park Week