The National Park Service has announced it will allow visitors free entry during three weekends this summer to encourage Americans to visit national parks, including Arches, Canyonlands, and other parks across the country.

Park visitors will be allowed free entrance to the parks on the weekends of June 20-21, July 18-19 and August 15-16.

The fee waivers will apply to all 391 national parks that are located across the country in every state from Alaska to Florida.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the free weekends are intended to help American families that are struggling with the recession afford a memorable vacation.

All 147 Park Service sites that charge fees for entry will waive entrance fees for June 20-21, July 18-19 and August 15-16, Salazar said.

Entry fees being waived range from $3 to $25. That does not apply to fees charged for camping, reservations, tours or concessions.