National Parks Travel
Have you been but spouse/friend has not?
There are sixty-three! That’s a lot!
What, you ask, are we talking about?
National Parks travel! That’s what we’re talking about!
© Forrest W. Heaton April 2024
Can you get “off the grid”? Most people have the feeling life has become too complicated, too turbulent. For most, an “escape” sounds like an interesting idea. The question, then, could be: just how turbulent do we want that “escape” to be? If you are inclined to select nature or culture, national parks might be a perfect choice.
Where are our national parks located? It will be helpful to know how many national parks there are, where they are, and how best to get to them. As of this writing, we have sixty-three national parks in the U.S. They are located in 30 states and 2 territories.
When might we consider going? Less visited parks can be scheduled fairly quickly. More visited parks might require reservations considerably in advance, some as much as a year. It’s always helpful to leave the summer (mid-May thru mid-September) to kids, parents, and foreign visitors. Snow and difficult weather can also be a consideration.
Reservations. Many parks have more visitors than ever before and have now installed reservation systems. Those reservations can be snapped up quickly. If you intend to visit a park, call and check.
Why do people choose to visit national parks? Some of the reasons people visit national parks include: life in national parks is unplugged, is loaded with small pleasures, is slower, is simpler, offers seeing wildlife up close, offers better cultural and historical understanding, offers unparalleled scenic beauty, and offers a brief but important return to nature.
Does visiting national parks change your life? It can. Much depends on how much time you give each park. Much also depends on how many park rangers you listen to and how much of yourself you invest in each adventure. And, visiting parks encourages making a difference long after your visit—helping defend America’s natural and cultural resources.
Are these lands your lands? Absolutely! And, there is possibly more protection than you felt existed. It helps if you become more aware of Congress’ passing, in 1906, the Antiquities Act. Since then, Republican and Democratic presidents have designated public lands and historic places as national monuments. A national monument designation does NOT require Congress’ approval. On the other hand, a national park designation DOES require Congress’ approval. Currently, there are 133 national monuments in the U.S. Many may eventually become national parks. For extra credit, you might sing Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” while you’re visiting.
National Monuments. According to Nightborn Travel, the “top five reasons people love national monuments” are: 1) they keep our culture alive, 2) they provide economic growth, 3) they provide a source of pride, 4) they protect history, and 5) they provide services/resources. And, there are usually fewer people.
National Parks That Were National Monuments. Many national parks were once a national monument. Included among them are Olympic, Acadia, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, and others.
nps.gov. Here’s a website to memorize: nps.gov.
“Plan Like A Ranger.” When you visit nps.gov and read their “Trip Planning Guide,” you will find all kinds of helpful trip planning tips. In their words, you’ll be planning your adventure(s) “like a Ranger.”
Visitors Center/Park Ranger. Be sure to visit the Visitors Center first. Ask a Park Ranger: 1) What should we be sure to see? 2) What should we be sure to do?
Water/Layers. Bring more water than you think you’ll need. Bring sufficient layers of clothing.
Does our environment stay wild on its own? No. Developers, city halls, timbermen, road builders, etc. are always at wilderness’ door with equipment and manpower at the ready to alter the environment forever. Our environment needs us. Every one of us.
What’s one experience you’ve had in a national park you’d like to share with us? For my wife, Mary’s, eightieth birthday, we gathered her family in Grand Teton and Yellowstone for a week in 2022. We hiked every day. Late one afternoon in Grand Teton, we came across a moose eating/drinking from a river. It took me an hour to crawl on my belly to get the photograph just right without spooking the moose. The result is included in the below box. Traveling/hiking/photography doesn’t get much better than this!