September 23 is 33rd annual National Public Lands Day - free admission, volunteer opportunities

There are five days every year that the National Park Service offers free entrance to more than 400 National parks that charge an entrance fee. This includes free entrance to Joshua Tree or Death Valley and free parking at Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.

The next free day at National Parks is on Veterans Day, November 11.

Established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, National Public Lands Day is traditionally the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort. It celebrates the connection between people and green space in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages the use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits.

A list of National Parks across the country can be found at https://www.nationalparks.org/explore/parks.

The theme for this year is "30 Years of Care and Community." There are many ways to participate in National Public Lands Day and ideas on how to volunteer HERE.

Nearby, the Eldorado National Forest is holding a Leave No Trace Fair at the Crystal Basin Information Center on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See more HERE.

The West Walker River Riparian Habitat Restoration project is taking place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wilson Canyon. See more HERE.