National Public Lands Day: enter a park for free and volunteer

Maybe you took advantage of one of the fee-free weekends at a national park this summer? That was for 147 parks. Here's a free day that's valid at all 391 national parks.

National Public Lands Day is on Saturday, September 26th.

It's not just a time to get into a park for free, but it's a time to participate, if you can. Organizers of the event hope to honor the parks with both celebration and service. Volunteer activities and festivities will be specially tailored for each of the parks.

The reward for your troubles if you volunteer? A sneak preview of Ken Burns' new documentary "The National Parks: America's Best Idea."

A few of the special events of the day:

Minute Man National Historic Park (Massachusetts): Celebrate its 50th anniversary as a national park on the same day. Recently rehabilitated buildings will be open to the public for the first time.

George Washington Carver National Monument (Missouri): Volunteer with others to remove invasive exotic plants in the park's woodlands and prairie.

Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado): Build a new connector trail along the Continental Divide between the park and U.S. Forest Service lands. Local musicians will perform music from the Ken Burns' movie.

Filed under: Festivals and Events, North America, United States, Budget Travel