National Parks Week starts this Saturday, April 19th!

National Parks Week starts this Saturday, April 19, and that means lots of activities, volunteer opportunities, and FREE ADMISSION to many of California's pristine National Parks!

Following post by the National Park Service [link].

Looking for something fun and fantastic to do with family and friends? Head out to America's national parks where millions of stars light up the dark night sky, deer and antelope (and a few other critters!) play on the wide open range, and history is an unbelievable experience, not a boring class lecture.

The National Park Service is proud to once again join with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, to present on April 19-27, 2014, National Park Week, a presidentially proclaimed celebration of our national heritage.

You can plan your visit by what you want to do, or where you want to go ... or you can browse the event calendar and check out the special programs offered throughout the week. On opening weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 19 to 20, these National Parks in California will give you free admission:

• Cabrillo National Monument
• Death Valley National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Lava Beds National Monument
• Muir Woods National Monument
• Pinnacles National Monument
• Sequoia National Park
• Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
• Yosemite National Park

Don't miss the video below for a bit of inspiration.

On April 26, National Junior Ranger Day, parks will invite young visitors to "explore, learn, protect" and be sworn in as junior rangers. April 22 is Earth Day, so if you want to roll up your sleeves and pitch in with a project, look for a park where you can help out. It's a perfect time to simply get outdoors and take a walk in a park.

Also, don't forget to check out www.nationalparkweek.org. There you can share your national park photos, videos, and tips. While you're there, learn all about the ways you can help support your national parks all year round.

Get to know one of your national parks during National Park Week, and go wild... for history... for nature... for wildlife... for fun!