Next weekend it will be possible to visit US national parks for free: where to go first

In honor of National Public Lands Day on September 24 (Saturday), admission to all National Park Service (NPS) facilities will be free. This holiday is one of five days in 2022 when the NPS is offering free admission to visitors. Instead of hustling through crowds of visitors at America's most famous parks, visit lesser-known locations. Edition The Washington Post collected 10 places to visit across the country, recommended by park rangers and experts.

Photo: IStock

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

As the name suggests, Wind Cave National Park is famous for its cave.

“This is the seventh longest cave in the world,” says Riley Mahoney, who writes blog The Parks Expert and has visited 256 of the country's 423 national parks. "It's very, very cool."

But the reason she recommends visiting Wind Cave National Park in the fall isn't just about the caves.

“There are a lot of trails here, incredible wildlife, and in the fall, the prairies have very beautiful foliage,” she said.

At this time of the year, bison are active in the park; visitors can also see moose, donkeys, and prairie dogs.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

The least visited national park is always overlooked, not because it's not very special, it's just that it's hard to get to. This is what makes Isle Royale National Park so special.

It is located on an island in Lake Superior, so getting there requires taking a private boat, ferry, or seaplane from the coast of Minnesota or Michigan. Cars are prohibited on the island; it's just a wilderness with hiking trails, boat rentals, several campsites, and a full-service lodge. If you can put in the effort to get there, it's worth it.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

While it's easily accessible from Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park can feel like a world far away, says park ranger Pamela Barnes.

“The forests just explode into motley color in October and November,” Barnes wrote.

On the subject: Five US national parks to see in the fall

To fully appreciate the foliage, Barnes recommends taking the Fall Flyer Tour on the National Park Scenic Train. Or you can walk or bike along the Ohio and Erie Canal Trail, or watch the sunset on the popular Ledges Overlook.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia

Mahoney is a fan of one of America's newest national parks, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

“It’s great for autumn visits, they have a really cool event every year, namely Bridge Day,” the blogger said.

Every third Saturday in October, Bridge Day draws thousands of spectators to watch BASE jumpers jump off the New River Gorge bridge.

Old Fort Bent National Historic Site, Colorado

Photo: IStock

Take a trip back to the XNUMXth century at Old Fort Bent National Historic Site in Otero County, southeast Colorado.

“The park is beautiful at any time of the year, but especially in autumn, when the leaves turn yellow,” one of the visitors shared his impressions. “The park has a great walking trail that goes through the wetlands and the Arkansas River.”

Site staff wear period clothing and conduct tours and activities to showcase what life was like on the Santa Fe Trail between 1833 and 1849 for merchants, hunters, travelers, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. Among the inhabitants of the wild nature there are bulls, horses, mules, chickens, peacocks, pigeons, goats, guinea fowls and some cats.

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

While not technically a national park, it would be remiss not to visit the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. Technically a US Forest Service site, it owns 1200 miles (1930 km) of hiking trails, including 160 miles (257 km) of the Appalachian Trail.

Valles Caldera National Forest, New Mexico

The result of a volcanic eruption over a million years ago, Valles Caldera National Reserve is a 13-mile (20 km) wide depression with mountain grasslands and wildlife such as elk, black bears, golden eagles and badgers. It is home to the original American Indian and Pueblo tribes.

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

This is the largest untouched patch of old-growth hardwood forest in the southeastern United States and is well worth a trip to, especially in the fall. The park sits on the Congaree and Watery rivers, but many of the trails run along sidewalks.

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80% of the park is under water, the trees seem to float - this is a really beautiful place.

Missions National Historical Park San Antonio, Texas

Photo: IStock

San Antonio may be one of America's largest cities, but "The park is on a not-so-popular route," said Naaman Horn, an NPS spokesman. “And it’s an incredible historical place.”

The City Group of Five Spanish Colonial Missions, which includes the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas.

Everglades National Park, Florida

After a sweltering summer and before winter sets in for the dry season, fall is the perfect time to visit Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical desert in the United States.

“There are not so many insects, not so much hot as humid,” the blogger noted. “So it’s really a great time to visit.”

Mahoney says active travelers might be interested in the Tamiami Trail Triathlon, a program run by Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve that visitors can enjoy year-round.

“It's different from a regular triathlon because the actions are a little different,” she explained.

Participants cycle through the 15-mile (24 km) loop, then hike the 3-mile (4,8 km) loop, and end up canoeing or kayaking the 3,5-mile (5,6 km) route.

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