Visit National Parks For Free In Maryland This Weekend

If visiting some of America's most beautiful national treasures is on your bucket list, this weekend is the time to get out and explore. Admission into national parks will be free on Saturday, April 21, to kick off National Park Week.

National Park Week runs April 21 through April 29. Parks across the U.S. will hold special events throughout the week.

The free admission is only valid on Saturday, April 21. The entrance fee waiver does not cover fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation or special tours/admission at partner sites. Click here to search for local events.

In Maryland and beyond, there are plenty of sites to visit.

Here are 14 sites in Maryland to check out from the National Park Service. They range from Civil War battlefields to wildlife refuges.

Antietam

Sharpsburg, Maryland

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

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.

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.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

Hagerstown, Maryland

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 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.

Fort McHenry

Baltimore, Maryland

The defense of Baltimore at this location inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Fort Washington

Fort Washington, Maryland

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.

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.

_{Pictured, Glen Echo 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.

_{Pictured, Hampton National Historic Site.}

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.

_{Above, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center opened in March 2017.}

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.

More Opportunities For Free Park Admission

If you're not able to get out this weekend, don't worry. The National Park Service is holding two other free entry events this year, including Sept. 22 for National Public Lands Day and Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.

"National parks connect all of us with our country’s amazing nature, culture and history," National Park Service Deputy Director Michael T. Reynolds said in a statement. "The days that we designate as fee free for national parks mark opportunities for the public to participate in service projects, enjoy ranger-led programs, or just spend time with family and friends exploring these diverse and special places.We hope that these fee-free days offer visitors an extra incentive to enjoy their national parks in 2018."

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.

SEE ALSO: Entry Fees At Maryland National Parks Are Going Up Soon

Aerial of Fort McHenry by Tom Darden, Maryland Governor's Office. All photos courtesy of National Park Service.