Today marks the beginning of National Park Week, in which we celebrate the many historical, geological, and environmental features that make up our most cherished national lands.
This weekend (April 15-16) and next weekend (April 22-23), visitors to any US national park can take advantage of FREE admission during its normal hours of operation, offering the entire country an incentive to get out and explore our national parks.
There are 59 areas that receive federal protection as national parks in the US, scattered among 27 states and the territories of American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands. Each of these regions was selected for its outstanding natural beauty, uncommon ecosystems, and the unique recreational opportunities, among other factors. Most national parks offer hiking, biking, camping, and boating, while activities like horseback and ATV riding or bringing your pets may vary from park to park.
During National Park Week, attendance at the parks may be higher than usual, most certainly on the free admission days. If you’re the type that enjoys nature more with less people, plan your trip early or in the middle of the week. There’s even a service from TomTom that offers descriptions of lesser-known trails within the national parks with downloadable maps so you can be on the trail less traveled with nary another soul.
If you’ve got kids, why not get them into the Junior Rangers program offered by the National Park Service? Each park offers a customized booklet (also available online) with information about the location’s history and activities that can be completed while on a Junior Ranger tour with a guide. During these tours, kids are educated about local flora and fauna, the importance of historic preservation, and what has taken place throughout the years in the region. Most parks offer a badge or certificate when the booklet is returned completed at the end of the tour.
Whichever day you decide to visit whichever park, be sure to do the proper research before you hit the road so there are no unexpected surprises that could have been discovered beforehand. Be sure to pack a daypack with snacks, water, sun protection, and a basic first aid kit, and because of the incredible natural beauty you’ll be privy to, a camera of any kind would be a wise addition.
More than anything, National Park Week gives us much-needed prompting to get out and appreciate our national parks for the truly precious resource they are. Their astounding beauty, the thousands of years of history they hold, and the current home they provide for millions of plant and animal species are things we should all cherish and celebrate for the marvel they are. If at all possible, get out to your nearest national park for National Park Week: April 15-23!
Featured Image from Janne Simoes/Unsplash
