Four Days of Free Admission to Joshua Tree National Park Starting Thursday

Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park will be free for four days, starting Thursday, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.

The usual $20 entrance fee will be waived for the National Park Service's birthday weekend, which will feature free admission at all 412 national parks through Sunday.

The fee waiver will not cover campsite fees, tours of the historic Key's Ranch, or special use events, according to park officials.

However, entrance will be free tomorrow to Joshua Tree Superintendent David Smith's 10 a.m. cutting of an NPS birthday cake at the park's Oasis Visitor Center.

"We are committed to ensuring that all Americans have a chance to enjoy their National Parks -- regardless of ability to pay," Smith said. "We recognize that entry fees can be a barrier to some of our park users and are pleased that we have been allowed some flexibility in regularly suspending entry fees."

Entrance to the park will also be free on Sept. 24, National Public Lands Day, as well as Veterans Day.

– By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock.