Two more chances to see "America's Best Idea" for free

This coming weekend, July 18-19, is the second Fee-Free weekend, whereby visitors can receive free entrance to national parks. For Americans seeking a last-minute, affordable vacation this summer, NPS concessioner ARAMARK Parks and Destinations offers a variety of deals in conjunction with the National Park Service’s Fee-Free Weekends promotion. In addition to receiving free entrance into national parks, travelers can take advantage of deals on tours, lodging and retail specials at select national park destinations, from Denali National Park in Alaska to Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. (See new deals from concessioners listed below).

Additionally, with Ken Burns’ highly anticipated PBS documentary, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” set to premier this September, there is no better time to pay tribute to and enjoy America’s greatest treasures in the National Park System.  It took Burns, along with colleague Dayton Duncan, six years to research and tape the 12-hour documentary. In that timeframe, the project took them through many national parks, including Denali, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Olympic, Shenandoah, the Everglades of Florida, and America’s first national park, Yellowstone. With most Americans living less than a day’s drive from a national park, the Fee Free Weekends promotion and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations’ deals provide an affordable way for people to celebrate America’s Best Idea with a visit to one of our nation’s crown jewels.

Deals for travelers looking to experience the highlights of our national parks during the weekends of July 18 and 19, and August 15 and 16, 2009, include:

Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

• Full-day Rainbow Bridge Scenic Cruise: Buy one ticket and receive the second ticket at a 50% discount. Valid dates: July 18 and 19, August 15 and 16, and September 26, 2009. To make a reservation, call (888) 486-4665 or visit www.lakepowell.com for more information.

Denali National Park and Preserve

• Denali Park Resorts’ Denali Natural History Tour: Buy one ticket and receive the second ticket at a 50% discount.* To make a reservation, call (866) 296-0327 or visit www.denaliparkresorts.com for more information. Valid dates: July 18 and 19, August 15 and 16, 2009.

* Note: Visitors who have made advance reservations for park campgrounds, shuttle bus seats, or a bus tour have already paid an entrance fee and will not receive a refund. The no-refund policy is being applied across the country. Visitors who arrive at Denali without an advance reservation will have the entrance fee waived when they obtain their campsite or bus ticket on any of the six fee-free days.

Shenandoah National Park

• Skyland Resort: Guests who stay Saturday night at the regular rate will have the option to book a second night on Sunday at a 50% discount. To make a reservation, call (800) 778-2872 (promotion code: NPSDAYS) or visit www.visitshenandoah.com for more information. Valid dates: July 18 and 19, August 15 and 16, and September 26 and 27, 2009.

Olympic National Park

• Lake Quinault Lodge, Kalaloch Lodge and Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort: Receive a free souvenir water bottle with retail purchase of $35 or more. To make a reservation, call (866) 297-7367 or visit www.visitwashingtonparks.com for more information.

Mesa Verde National Park

• Receive a free children’s souvenir water bottle with retail purchase of $35 or more. With the purchase of two adult ranger-guided bus tours, guests will receive a child's ticket free. To make a reservation, call (866) 292-8295 or visit www.visitm
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