YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park will celebrate Founders’ Day on Tuesday, Aug. 25, the 99th birthday of the National Park Service (NPS). In commemoration of this special day, entrance fees will be waived and the Park will conduct special events throughout the day.
In partnership with REI, a premier sponsor of the “Find Your Park” NPS Centennial campaign, an interactive “village” will be set up in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center.
The REI Village will create a camping lounge where visitors can learn about the Centennial through interactive maps of national parks, camping games, historical camping artifacts, and an Instagram station. The village will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and all of the activities are free to park visitors.
The special guest for the day will be Conrad Anker, world-renowned mountaineer, explorer, and Yosemite Centennial Ambassador. Conrad will be joining NPS and REI staff to interact with park visitors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the REI Village.
During this time, visitors are encouraged to participate in an “InstaMeet” to post photos with Conrad and Park Rangers. Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher will provide brief remarks at noon.
The special commemoration this year is leading up to the National Park Service Centennial on Aug. 25, 2016. President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill to create the National Park Service on Aug. 25, 1916. A large component of the campaign includes the “Find Your Park” campaign encouraging people to find the nearest national park unit to where they live and explore, and enjoy our nation’s national parks.
Please visit www.FindYourPark.com to learn more about the upcoming Centennial and how you can get involved.
“Late summer is a wonderful time to visit Yosemite National Park,” stated Don Neubacher, Superintendent. “We hope you will join us for our celebration and Find Your Park in Yosemite.”
Fees being waived for Founders’ Day include the park entrance only. All other fees associated with camping, lodging, or activities within the park are not waived. The fee waiver is good for Tuesday, Aug. 25, Founders’ Day, only.
For more information, and to plan your trip, visit www.nps.gov/yose.
