Lots of Deals At the National Parks April 21 to 29

By EMILY GLAZER

Rising gas prices may be making you leery of a road trip this spring. But you can take advantage of free or discounted entry to national parks and historic sites the week of April 21 to 29.

There are 397 national sites, including 58 national parks, such as the Grand Canyon, Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains; historic sites like Independence Hall in Philadelphia; monuments, and seashores.

And there are national parks and sites near urban areas. For instance, Saguaro National Park sits in the middle of Tucson, Ariz. St. Louis has the Gateway Arch site, where a tram ride costs $10 per adult. There's free admission to California's Muir Woods National Monument and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, usually $7 and $5 per adult, respectively.

To find a national park near you, go to the website of the National Park Service.

Some parks also are offering special hikes or ranger's and children's programs. Go to nps.gov/npweek for more information. Some concessions, gift shops and restaurants will offer discounts as well, says National Park Service spokeswoman Kathy Kupper.

Entrance fees typically range from $3 per person per day to $25 per car for one week. (Some smaller sites already are free.) Children 16 and under and disabled individuals (as well as those accompanying them) always get in free. U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 or older can buy a $10 lifetime Senior Pass, good for all national parks and sites.

Write to Emily Glazer at emily.glazer@wsj.com