National Park Week Begins This Weekend

National Park Week 2016 kicks off on Saturday, April 16 and it's going to be incredible. Nine days of free admission to all national parks. Where will you start? You could experience a dark night sky, reconnect with the place that first introduced you to the Civil Rights Movement, discover a new trail, learn about the preservation of art and music, gather friends for a national park instameet (using #FindYourParkInstaMeet, #FindYourPark, #EncuentraTuParque, and #NPS100) – the possibilities are endless.

However you decide to honor the week, you may share your ideas and memories with The National Park Foundation at FindYourPark.com and EncuentraTuParque.com. You never know, your story could inspire someone else to get out there and explore our parks. And if you're looking for some inspiration yourself, bookmark this page and check out the countless ideas that have already been shared.

From April 16 – 24, you are invited to celebrate all that America’s more than 400 national parks have to offer. And in honor of the National Park Service Centennial this year, all parks are offering FREE ADMISSION the entire week. From diverse wildlife and iconic landscapes, to vibrant culture and rich history, our National Park System has something for everyone.

The National Park Service turns 100 on August 25, 2016. The Centennial will kick off a second century of stewardship of America’s national parks and engaging communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs. Join the celebration to explore, learn, discover, be inspired, or simply have fun in over 400 national parks.

National Parks in the Western North Carolina Mountains:

National Scenic Trail 

Appalachian Maine to Georgia, CT, GA, MA, MD, ME ,NC, NH ,NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV -  The Appalachian Trail is a 2,180+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.


Parkway 

Blue Ridge Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina, NC,VA -  A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special.



National Heritage Area

Photo courtesy of the US Forest Service.

Blue Ridge Fletcher, NC - The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is a place unlike any other on Earth, where ancient landscapes enchant the eye and age-old traditions warm the heart. The distinctive landscape of the North Carolina mountains and foothills combined with the region’s living traditions of craft, music, agriculture and Cherokee heritage create a wealth of natural and cultural treasures unmatched in our country.







National Historic Site

Carl Sandburg Home Flat Rock, NC -  Carl Sandburg provided a popular voice for the American people of the twentieth century and still speaks to us through his words, songs and the beauty and serenity of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. Explore Sandburg's legacy and Experience Your America!





National Park 

Great Smoky Mountains the states of, NC,TN -  Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park.




National Historic Trail 

Overmountain Victory NC,SC,TN,VA - Stretching 330 miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow the campaign by utilizing a Commemorative Motor Route which uses existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 87 miles of walkable pathways.

Find information and links for WNC National, 

State and Local Parks on our NC Parks Guide

* Information and photos provided by the National Park Service and The National Park Foundation