National Park Week is celebrated from April 20 to April 28.

DENVER — National Park Week will be celebrated from April 20 to April 28 and it will kick off with free admission to all national parks on Saturday.

Parks will also have special events throughout the week. Rocky Mountain National Park will host a special Earth Day event on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.

Earth Day is a chance for the world to unite around the importance of preserving a healthy planet, and the role we play in its protection. There will be Arts & Crafts stations to create cool Earth Day artwork, and park staff and scientists will be on hand to share information on a variety of Earth Day topics. Park greenhouse tours will take place, offering a great way to see young plants springing to life.

Join in the Earth Day fun, and discover how to become better stewards of our shared environment. This event is also in conjunction with National Park Week and Rocky’s National Junior Ranger Day celebration! Be sure to wear your badges, or ask about earning a Rocky Mountain National Park Junior Ranger Badge at the event. There is family fun for everyone!

The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is hosting a National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday. Stop by the park’s visitor center between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to pick up a Junior Ranger activity book. Upon completion, kids of all ages can earn a junior ranger badge or patch to commemorate their time learning about Great Sand Dunes.

The following Saturday, the park will host its first 1.5 to 2-mile, ranger-guided “B.A.R.K. Ranger” hike for visitors to learn the B.A.R.K. principles. The principles, Bag your pet’s waste, Always wear a leash, Respect wildlife, and Know where you can go, as reminders for visitors and their furry friends to have a safe and fun visit anytime you go to a national park, open space, or natural area.

This hike starts at the visitor parking lot at 9:00 a.m. Space is limited, so please RSVP by 4 p.m. on April 26 by calling 719-378-6395.

The Western National Parks Association (WNPA) will offer 15% discount on most store items on opening day, April 20.

Military and Veterans Recognition Day on Sunday, April 21

Earth Day on Monday, April 22

Transportation Tuesday, April 23

Wildlife Wednesday, April 24

Throwback Thursday, April 25

Friendship Friday, April 26

B.A.R.K. Ranger Day April 27

Park Rx Day April 28