Free entry to Long Island, NYC national parks on these dates
The grounds are open at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. Credit: Jeff Bachner
The National Park Service will offer several "Fee-Free Days" this year where people can enter without cost.
The upcoming dates are:
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day/President Donald Trump’s birthday
- July 3-5: Independence Day weekend
- Aug. 25: 110th birthday of the National Park Service
- Sept. 17: Constitution Day
- Oct. 27: President Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
- Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Long Island features two sites managed by the National Park Service: Fire Island National Seashore, a barrier island with beaches and the historic Fire Island Lighthouse and Sagamore Hill National Historic Site in Cove Neck, the former "Summer White House" of Theodore Roosevelt. These sites typically have no entry fee, while parking at Robert Moses Field 5 is $10 for access to Fire Island. Sagamore Hill has no parking fee, while fees for interior tours ($15) remain on "Fee-Free Days."
Road-trip worthy National Park Service sites in New York State include the Statue of Liberty National Monument in Manhattan, Gateway National Recreation Area in Staten Island, African Burial Ground National Monument in Manhattan, Governors Island National Monument in Manhattan, Castle Clinton National Monument in Manhattan (Battery Park), Federal Hall National Memorial in Manhattan (Wall Street), Stonewall National Monument in Manhattan (Greenwich Village), Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site in Manhattan, Hamilton Grange National Memorial in Manhattan, General Grant National Memorial in Manhattan, Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site in Mt. Vernon and Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Hyde Park.
"Fee‑Free Days" began in 2009 to invite more people to experience national parks.
"That first year, the National Park Service offered three weekends without entrance fees to encourage families and travelers looking for affordable vacation options to explore these places," National Park Service acting press secretary Jennie Lyons says. "The tradition has continued ever since, giving visitors special opportunities each year to connect with parks across the country."
For more information, visit: nps.gov.
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
