National Park Week: Free entry to 397 parks nationwide this month

National Park Week offers free admission at parklands nationwide, making this month a good time to plan an outdoor getaway. Here’s an idea: Mark John Muir’s birthday on April 21 with a visit to the park he loved to roam (Yosemite National Park) and his California home (John Muir National Historic Site near Martinez).

The deal: Not all of the 397 national parks, monuments and historical sites run by the National Park Service charge an entry fee, but those that do will waive the cost during the special week. For example, you save $20 a car at Yosemite and $15 a car at Joshua Tree National Park.

The free week serves as an incentive for Americans to explore and enjoy their parks as well as “take an active role in preserving these special places,” the park service website says. As this year’s theme suggests, “Picture Yourself in a Park,” visitors can share photographs of their trips online.

When: The free week runs from April 21-29.

Info: National Park Week