The National Park Service (NPS) is offering free entry to all of its 408 parks today (August 25), to celebrate its 99th birthday.

^{Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park. Image credit: NPS/Jacob W. Frank}

“The National Park Service’s 99th birthday is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the role of national parks in the American story,” said NPS Director, Jonathan B Jarvis. “It’s also a time to look ahead to our centennial year, and the next 100 years. These national treasures belong to all of us, and we want everyone – especially the next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates – to discover and connect with their national parks.”

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation to create the NPS, which is responsible for the preservation of 408 sites – ranging from national parks and shores, to historical areas – across the U.S.

In preparation for its 100 year anniversary, the NPS has teamed up with Find Your Park to create 99 Ways To Find Your Park, which includes a wide range of activities across all sites.

“As we celebrate 99 years of the incredible work of the National Park Service in communities across the country, we invite people everywhere to be a part of the Find Your Park movement and discover their own unique connections to parks and their programs,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “We encourage everyone to join in the birthday fun. Take a look at our list of 99 ideas and check off what you’ve already done, share your experiences with friends and family using #FindYourPark and #EncuentraTuParque on social media, and try something new.”

The National Park Service has waived entry fees nine days already in 2015 and, as well as today, there are two more opportunities to visit the parks for free: September 26 for National Public Lands day, and November 11 in honor of Veterans Day.

[H/T: Live Science]