Visitors enjoy free admission to Joshua Tree for National Public Lands Day

National parks across the country offered free entry to visitors Saturday. The National Public Lands Day celebrates the country’s 417 national parks but also serves as a reminder to guests about the importance to protect and preserve national lands.

Lawmakers at the nation’s capitol are gaining bipartisan support that would help heal more than an $11 billion dollar backlog in national park repairs.

Rather than continuing to hike admission prices, The Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act would keep parks safe and accessible to the public. This would allow funding to maintain trails and campgrounds, protect wildlife, and keep things well-maintained to preserve natural habitats.

According to a recent tally by the National Parks Service, all but 5 national parks of the country’s 417 are in need of repairs.