June is National Great Outdoors Month. The end of the school year, warm weather, and a need to commune with nature, make this the perfect time to plan and take in the Great Outdoors in all its splendor.
Started in 1998 under President Bill Clinton as Great Outdoors Week, it was originally an economic stimulus project to increase jobs and GDP through outdoor adventures. It was so popular that it was expanded in 2004 to a month-long celebration of America's public lands and waters at the national, state, and local levels with thousands of events across the country. By 2016, outdoor recreation was the fastest growing US industry.
President Biden issued a Proclamation on Great Outdoors Month in which he stated: "During Great Outdoors Month, I encourage Americans to take time to experience the natural wonders across our Nation. As we enjoy the great outdoor landscapes and seascapes, let us each recommit to doing our part in their stewardship, preservation, and sustainable use so they continue to be a source of inspiration for outdoor enthusiasts for generations to come".
June means new exploration trips and outdoor adventures. Whether you like trekking through thick green forests, going hiking on mountain trails, swimming in the cool waters of seas, rivers, and lakes, or just sitting and gazing at the stars or clouds in the sky, nature has something for everyone.
The Great Outdoors can be an inexpensive trip for the family, part of a healthier lifestyle, and a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to nature.
Watch for special deals and offers for June at nature resorts and parks. Be quick to grab the best deals to plan a trip with your friends and family.
Previously, the National Park Service made it easy to experience the great Outdoors with several entrance fee-free days.
Last year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (the third Monday of January), the first day of National Park Week (in April), Juneteenth (on June 19), the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (Aug. 4) and National Public Lands Day (fourth Saturday of September) were all free admission days for visitors. Starting in 2026, admission fees have been reinstated on those five holidays.
Free admission is offered to U.S. residents on eight holidays:
- Feb. 16: Presidents Day
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day and Trump's birthday
- July 3-5: Independence Day weekend
- Aug. 25: 110th birthday of the National Park Service
- Sept. 17: Constitution Day
- Oct. 27: Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
- Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Previously, fee-free days allowed free entry to all visitors, but starting in 2026 the fee will only be waived for U.S. residents. International visitors will not only have to pay the entrance fee, but also new nonresident fees.
International guests are now charged a $100 per-person fee at the entrance gate of 10 of the most-visited national parks, unless they have an America the Beautiful pass.
That pass, which "covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at thousands of recreation locations, managed by six federal agencies," will cost $250 for nonresidents. The pass costs $80 for Americans.
It's estimated that of the record-setting 331.8 million visits recorded at national parks last year, 14.6 million were international tourists.
Poolesville has one of the best park systems in Maryland. Check out the thirteen parks near home to see what they are offering.