National Public Lands Day 2015 – Arizona Hikers Guide

Since it’s creation in 1994, National Public Lands Day has become a day to celebrate our nation’s public lands and use volunteers to help keep our lands clean and healthy.  This year’s Public Lands day will be held this coming Saturday, September 25th where public land visitors will receive free admission into many federally managed lands.  Volunteers who participate at federal land sites are also rewarded with coupons for free admission into any of their favorite parks that require a fee.  Pretty sweet eh!

National Public Lands Day is celebrated annually at public lands in the United States on a Saturday in late September. A signature event of the National Environmental Education Foundation, it promotes both popular enjoyment and volunteer conservation of public lands.

Three federal agencies and 700 volunteers launched the first National Public Lands Day in 1994. By 2010, participation grew to 170,000 volunteers at over 2,000 sites across the country, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories (taken from Wikipedia)

Only 127 of our country’s 408 national parks usually charge an entrance fee. So start planning your visit!
If you’re planning a trip that includes multiple national parks, you might consider the $80 annual pass that provides entrance to all national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and many other Federal lands-more than 2,000 in all. The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is offered free to all active duty military members and their dependents. Information on these and other pass options is available online. There are several Fee Free days, click here for a list

Here is a huge list of volunteer opportunities in Arizona. Check them out here!

Not residing in AZ?  Click here to find an opportunity near you!