Earth Day and National Park Week Collide: Celebrate at These Parks
This year's events offer many opportunities, whether you prefer to recreate responsibly or volunteer. Let's look at the events and how you can celebrate.
Earth Day is April 22, 2025. The international holiday honors the need to protect Mother Earth for a healthy, sustainable environment now and in the future.
National Park Week is April 19 - 27, 2025. This American holiday celebrates the beauty of our national parks and promotes responsible visitation and conservation.
We often hear mention of America's 63 national parks. The National Park Service (NPS) manages over 400 sites nationwide. Many sites charge an entrance fee, typically $5 to $35.
On April 19, the first day of National Park Week, guests can enter any national park site for free. However, standard fees for activities like camping still apply.
National Volunteer Week is April 20 - 26, 2025, for those who want to help clean our parks or assist with projects. Visit the NPS volunteer site to learn about opportunities in your community.
The NPS is holding many events across the country during National Park Week, some of which occur on Earth Day. Here are some ways you can honor our parks and Mother Earth.
Lake Mead is holding its first Love Lake Mead Days celebration, which includes daily clean-up events from April 19 - 26. Earth Day features a native plant nursery project. Visit the Love Lake Mead Days page to learn more.
Petrified Forest National Park offers cultural demonstrations at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark between 10 am and 3 pm each day of the celebration. The demonstrations range from storytelling and beading to painting and dancing.
Sequoia National Park offers a 1.5-hour guided nature walk on a section of the Paradise Creek Trail on April 19 and 26 at 2 pm, where you can learn about springtime in the region's foothills. Participants will meet at the Hospital Rock Picnic Area.
Indiana Dunes National Park offers Trash Trekkers, a voluntary drop-in litter clean-up program. To participate, stop by the park's visitor center, pick up trash bags, and choose from a list of hiking trails and beach areas to collect trash.
Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park regularly offers unique activities, including bicycling along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, train rides, and visiting its renowned Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market.
During National Park Week, you can shop for local food and goods at The Winter Market at Old Trail School on April 19 and 26, from 9 am to noon.
The South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers events for kids and adults during National Park Week. Junior Ranger Day at Peaceful Valley Ranch is a day of learning and fun on April 19 from 11 am to 12:30 pm.
Join a special 4-mile round-trip guided hike to the park's only sandstone arch on April 20, 10 am to 12:30 pm. Guests will meet at the Halliday Well Trailhead at Mile 7 of Scenic Drive.
Spring Clean-Up Day is April 26, from 8 am to 1 pm. Volunteers will meet at the visitor center in Medora to help spruce up the park and clear debris. Gloves and trash bags are provided.
The listed events are a small sampling of how you can celebrate our national parks. Whether or not you are a fan of the parks, Earth Day reminds us to honor our planet by recreating responsibly and protecting our environment for future generations.
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