June 4, 2010

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid announced today that Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA), Lake Mead National Recreation Area will waive entrance fees for visitors this weekend, June 5-6.

Created by Senator Reid in 1990, the Red Rock Canyon NCA is home to many rare plants and animals and spectacular geologic features.  More than a million visitors a year – from Southern Nevada, the United States, and many foreign countries – travel to the NCA to enjoy the magnificent desert landscape, climbing and hiking opportunities, and interpretive programs offered by the Bureau of Land Management.

“This fee-free weekend is an excellent opportunity for Nevadans to visit our national parks and recreation areas at no cost,” Reid said. “As we climb out of these tough economic times, it is important that we provide families with inexpensive opportunities to enjoy the Silver State’s many natural and historic treasures.  ”

Nevada’s Great Basin National Park, which Senator Reid created in 1986, is open to the public at no cost year-round.  For more information on the fee-free weekends, visit the National Park Service Web site (http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm) or the Bureau of Land Management web site (http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/Recreation/BLM_Fee_Free_Days.html).