Looking for something fun, free, and fantastic to do with family and friends?  Head out to America's national parks where millions of stars light up the dark night sky, deer and antelope (and a few other critters!) play on the wide open range, and history is an unbelievable experience, not an exam.

And the best news? During National Park Week, April 21-29, ALL 397 of your national parks offer free admission, all week long!

The National Park Service is proud to once again join with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, to present National Park Week.

You can plan your visit by what you want to do, or where you want to go ...or you can browse the event calendar at nps.gov and check out the special programs offered that week. April 21 is Volunteer Day, so if you want to roll up your sleeves and pitch in with a project, look for a park where you can help out. On April 28, National Junior Ranger Day, parks will invite young visitors to "explore, learn, protect" and be sworn in as Junior Rangers.

A bunch of park partners and concessioners are also providing discounts to make your visit even more enjoyable. And leading granola bar brand, Nature Valley® a longtime supporter of national park preservation through its “Preserve the Parks” program is stepping up to help the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Over the course of the three-year relationship, the Preserve the Parks program will have helped raise more than $1 million to benefit restoration projects in support of America’s national parks.

Nature Valley is continuing to help preserve America’s national parks while encouraging education, outdoor exploration and support. To get the 2012 Preserve the Parks program started, Nature Valley is making a $300,000 donation to the NPCA and is inviting consumers to help raise an additional $200,000. And this year, in celebration of National Park Week (April 21-29), consumers are invited to visit the Nature Valley Facebook page and “Like” designated posts during that week to help trigger additional donations to the NPCA – $1 per “Like,” up to $50,000.

To help support our National Parks, visit PreserveTheParks.com and enter UPCs from specially-marked packages of Nature Valley® products to help raise funds to benefit restoration efforts in support of six national parks. For each UPC entered online now through December 31, 2012, $1 will be donated to the NPCA, up to $200,000.  You can also visit the Nature Valley Facebook page and “Like” designated posts about Nature Valley Trail View. For each Facebook “Like” during National Parks Week (April 21-29), Nature Valley will donate $1 to the NPCA, up to $50,000.

Also, don't forget to check out www.nationalparkweek.org. There you can share your national park photos, videos, and tips. While you're there, learn all about the ways you can help support your national parks all year round.

PS: If you can't come in April, how about June 9? That's the next day we waive entrance fees, this time to celebrate Get Outdoors Day.