Bicentennial Day At Alabama State Parks: Free Admission July 19

MONTGOMERY, AL — July 19 is the 200th day of Alabama's bicentennial year. While most may not have made that correlation, Alabama State Parks did, and they are celebrating the day by offering free admission.

In addition to Alabama’s bicentennial, the state parks system is celebrating its 80th anniversary, and in addition to offering free admission, the parks are offering free parking and a 20 percent discount for overnight stays.

"From providing work for veterans in the Civilian Conservation Corp in the early 1900s to providing access to outdoor recreation for all who visit, Alabama’s state parks have been an important part of the state’s history for 80 years now," said Greg Lein, State Parks Director. "We invite everyone to take advantage of Bicentennial Day and visit their favorite state park or explore one they’ve not yet experienced."

Alabama became a state on December 14, 1819. Work on what would become Alabama’s oldest continuously operated park, Cheaha, began in the early 1930s. Today, there are 21 parks in the Alabama state parks system.

The state’s history is on display throughout Alabama’s state parks. Park visitors can tour museums dedicated to the CCC, rent CCC-built cabins, hike historic trails like the Pinhoti, and experience the state’s natural history through preserved outdoor spaces and beaches.