If you plan ahead, you can save as much as $50 per visit on your outdoor adventures this year.

Here are the dates that every national park in the country will be free to visit in 2025. You don’t need a pass, but a few require advance reservations.

April 19: First day of National Park Week

June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day

Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act

Sept. 27: National Public Lands Day

Nov. 11: Veterans Day

So what about these reservations? The National Park Service has instituted a reservation policy at certain popular parks during peak periods. Beginning in April at Arches National Park in Utah, for example, you’ll need a timed entry reservation to enter the park between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. No reservation needed if you go before or after those hours.

Keep in mind that these free days are really popular, so you’ll want to get there at dawn anyway, so you’ll have it more to yourselves.

But where to go? Well, you could trek to Yosemite, Sequoia or Pinnacles national parks, if you want to stay in California. If you’ve never been to Pinnacles National Park, it’s a hidden gem.

However, when I take advantage of these days, I head out to Joshua Tree, in the desert toward Palm Springs. I recommend going before the crack of dawn — I know, that’s just insane, but hear me out. If you leave your house in the dark, you can watch the sun come up over the desert, which is always dramatic.

Then, eat the snack you brought with you (you did bring a snack and water, didn’t you?) and hit a couple of trails. You can get a park map from the ranger, or if you’re there even before the rangers get there, you can download one on NPS.gov.

When the rest of the hikers start pouring into the park, that’s your cue to leave, have a nice relaxing lunch and then drive home, maybe with a swim stop at Desert Hot Springs.

Enjoy! nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

— Marla Jo Fisher, Southern California News Group