A Complete Calendar of Outdoor Holidays for 2019
Spending time in nature is good for mind and body. But if soaking in majestic scenery, exercising and bonding with family aren’t incentive enough to make you want to get outdoors, there’s a host of parks and organizations going the extra mile to motivate you. The 2019 calendar is full of holidays and special occasions that celebrate all things wild with free park entry, contests and prizes, social movements and educational programs. Bookmark this blog and use it as your guide all year long.
Team up with like-minded adventurers for these outdoor holidays in 2019.
January 2019
Every Kid in a Park Program: All fourth graders get an all-access pass to America’s federal lands and waters. Download and print your free ticket to visit national wildlife refuges, national forests, national parks and more. This program starts in January and runs all year long.
January 1
First Day Hikes: Join thousands of hikers ringing in the New Year with a hike in state parks across America. In all 50 states, plus participating regions in Canada, there are ranger-led programs, self-guided strolls and backcountry treks to start your year off right.
January 5
National Bird Day: Hike a birding trail or paddle a migratory waterway to learn about wild bird conservation and the negative effects of holding exotic birds in captivity.
January 21
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday: Celebrate one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders with free one-day admission to any national park. Choose from hundreds of volunteer opportunities or retrace Dr. King’s steps on the 45-mile Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.
Pictured: Grinnell Glacier Trail, Montana
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February 2019
February 2
World Wetlands Day: Celebrate the role wetlands play in filtering pollution and buffering communities against extreme weather across the globe by attending a free educational program in a marsh, estuary, lake or flood plain near you. Make sure to enter the #worldwetlandsday photo contest!
March 2019
March 1
National Day of Unplugging: Commit to 24 hours of cell phone free living, then organize a bike ride or outdoor yoga class to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with your community.
March 3
World Wildlife Day: Show your support for the world’s wild animals and plants by increasing awareness of our planet’s endangered species. Sign up for an endangered species program hosted by a state or national park near you, then share what you’ve learned on social media with hashtags #WorldWildlifeDay, #PredatorsUnderThreat and #DoOneThingToday.
March 12
National Girl Scout Day: Celebrate the anniversary of the first Girl Scout meeting back in 1912 and help inspire your favorite scout to become a national park’s Girl Scout Ranger. Volunteers who contribute 10 hours or more are recognized with an official certificate and patch.
March 22
World Water Day: Celebrate the 115th anniversary of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service by fishing, hiking, paddling or volunteering in one of over 550 National Wildlife Refuges across the U.S.
Pictured: Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
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April 2019
April 20 - 28
National Park Week: Kick off the National Park Service’s week-long celebration of America’s history, culture and natural treasures with free one-day entry to the national park of your choosing.
April 22
Earth Day: Embrace the 2019 theme Protect Our Species by learning about challenges to wildlife in your area and sharing stories on social media using hashtags #EarthDay2019 and #ProtectOurSpecies.
April 26
National Arbor Day: Celebrate the important role trees play in cleaning our air and water by visiting the urban and wild forests managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Get involved by volunteering to plant and care for trees in these wild lands and in your community.
Pictured: Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
May 2019
May 17
Endangered Species Day: Calling all creative kids across America! Enter your artwork in the Endangered Species Coalition’s Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest to raise awareness for plants and animals that are struggling for survival.
May 18
Kids to Parks Day: Participate in a stewardship, STEM and history event at a national, state or local park near you. Or, just visit a park for a day of outdoor fun! Today is all about enjoying nature.
May 31 – June 2
Bike Travel Weekend: It’s time to dust off your wheels. Invite a few friends and plan a bikepacking trip with help from experienced Adventure Cycling Association advisors.
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June 2019
June 1 - 30
Great Outdoors Month: Kick off your #EscapetheIndoors summer of fun with a family vacation focused on reconnecting with nature and each other. It’s a great opportunity to start a new camping tradition.
June 1
National Trails Day: Experienced hikers can share their expertise by planning a hike on a favorite trail. Newbies can choose from guided treks hosted in parks across the country.
June 8
World Oceans Day: Visit a coastal park, hike a beach trail, volunteer to pick up trash on the shore or travel to your local zoo or aquarium for this global celebration of healthy oceans.
June 8
National Get Outdoors Day: Clear your calendar to get outside. Give a new adventure like geocaching, fishing or camping a try. Look for ranger-led activities like kayak and canoe trips at a park near you.
June 22
Great American Campout: Take the pledge to go camping and the National Wildlife Federation will donate 5,000 trees to the Trees for Wildlife program when pledges hit the 200,000 mark.
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August 2019
August 25
National Park Service Birthday: Help the park service celebrate 102 years of preserving America’s wild places with this year’s theme Discovering Something New. Plan a park outing with your family, and download the Facebook photo frame to share your adventure on social media with hashtag #nps.
September 2019
September 4
National Wildlife Day: Explore the wilderness areas in your state to discover the wild creatures that live in the woods and on the water all around you. Learn about America's best wildlife viewing experiences.
September 28
National Public Lands Day: Celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Public Lands Day and the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System and National Wild & Scenic Rivers System with a conservation project at a national park near you. You’ll get a fee-free token in return to use on a future visit.
September 28
National Fishing & Hunting Day: Learn about the important role hunters and anglers play in conservation efforts by attending an educational event at a shooting range, wildlife refuge, fish hatchery or national forest in your area.
November 2019
November 11
Veterans Day: Honor America’s heroic veterans with an educational visit to one of our nation’s battlefields, military parks and historic sites. From the Statue of Liberty to the USS Arizona Memorial, daily admission is free to all national parks on Veterans Day.
November 17
National Take a Hike Day: Brush up on hiking skills and Leave No Trace practices, then take off for the trailhead on the American Hiking Society’s last trail day of the year.
November 29
#OptOutside Day: Join REI’s movement to opt out of holiday shopping on Black Friday. Commit to spending the day after Thanksgiving outdoors, enjoying an activity you love, spending time with family and friends, or giving back to nature and your community.
Pictured: The Wave, Page, Arizona
December 2019
December 11
International Mountain Day: Climb a peak to learn about fragile mountain ecosystems, and take photos of your journey to post on social media to enter the #MountainsMatter photo contest.