National Park Week starts soon--plan your free visit

Grand Canyon National Park

America’s national parks have been called our country’s greatest idea. As an ardent fan of these beautiful natural treasures, I certainly agree, and there’s no better time to visit than National Park Week, a nine-day celebration that starts of April 22, 2023.

Bryce Canyon National Park

It’s not a coincidence that this special week starts on Earth Day. Entrance fees will be waived  on April 22 to encourage folks to enjoy a national park in person. While you may be familiar with the most famous ones that actually have “National Park” in their names, keep in mind that there are more than 400 national parks, many with different naming designations. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types, so there may be a national park closer to where you live than you realize.

Zion National Park

With an extended time frame for this year’s celebration, each of the nine days has been given a special theme around which events and information are focused. Sunday, April 22 kicks off the week with a theme of Connection. April 23 is Discovery, April 24—Accomplishment, April 25—Tradition, April 26—Gratitude, April 27—Ingenuity, April 28—Inspiration, April 29—Fun, and April 30—Love.

Big Bend National Park

Saturday, April 29 is also National Junior Ranger Day, so it’s a perfect time to introduce children to the magic of our parks. They can earn a Junior Ranger Badge while learning to explore, learn, and protect each park visited. Even better, this will encourage them to leave the screens at home and to focus on the great outdoors.

Yellowstone National Park

Following the themes, people are invited to share their own stories about national parks using #MyParkStory or follow others’ stories at #YourParkStory. You can tell what a particular park has meant for you or describe adventures you have had in a national park. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/your-park-story.htm

Yosemite National Park

To find a park near you or special events that are taking place in different facilities go to https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/national-park-week.htm You can also find out more regarding what the National Park Service does through programs and partners to preserve natural and cultural heritages and provide recreational opportunities in places across the U.S. 

Enjoy the photos of some of our favorite national parks that I've shared in this post.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Grand Canyon National Park from the Colorado River

Everglades National Park

Glacier National Park

Great Smokey Mountain National Park

Volcano National Park, Hawaii

Celebrate National Park Week

National Park Week starts on Saturday, April 16. Sites that charge an entrance fee will allow everyone to visit for free that day. It’s the perfect time to celebrate America’s Greatest Idea.

Grand Canyon National Park is one of our favorites.

To help you make plans I’m including photos from a few of our favorite national parks. Being there, of course, is the best way to explore, discover, and enjoy the treasures in our National Park System. https://www.nps.gov

Yellowstone National Park

While we hear about popular parks such as Great Smokey Mountains, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Glacier, there are more than 400 parks in the National Park System. So this is a great opportunity to visit a new place or revisit an old favorite. While you are there consider purchasing one of the entrance passes available through the U. S. National Park Service.

·         If you have elementary aged children, apply for the 4^th Grade Pass. This is a free pass valid for the duration of the 4^th grader’s school year (September to August) and includes home-schooled children. Obtain a paper pass by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website . Exchange that for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees (day use fee). Find a location to pick up this pass at a federal recreation site

Olympic National Park in Oregon has 3 ecosystems.

 The Senior Pass is definitely a bargain. Cost is $80 for a Lifetime Pass or $20 for an Annual Pass. It’s available to U.S. citizens age 62 or over and will include other passengers in the same vehicle.

A Military Pass is free for current U.S. military members and their dependents in any of the Armed Forces, as well as Reserve and National Guard members. Military veterans and Gold Star Family members are also eligible for this pass.

A haze on the mountains
gives Great Smokey Mountain National Park its name. 

And there are more places to see than just the well-known parks. Any of these passes will allow you to visit more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at all  national parks, wildlife refuges, forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Search a list of all federal recreation sites and parks where the passes are issued.

Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is spectacular.

If you can’t get to one of these areas during the week of April 16-24, consider planning a national park visit on a summer trip. You’ll not only see gorgeous scenery but will have an opportunity to discover stories of history and culture. If you’re inclined, these places welcome volunteers in many capacities as well as donations.

Half Dome at night, Yosemite National Park

Larry and I have visited more than 55 national parks and dozens of other National Park Service sites. We hope to add many more and to revisit some of our favorites. What is your favorite national park?

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

National Park Week sets theme days

A familiar sign
at all parks.

If you love America’s national parks as much as we do, you’ll be excited to learn about different ways the National Park Service, National Park Foundation, and other groups plan to celebrate National Park Week, April 17-25, 2021. Here are the theme days that the National Park Foundation—the official charity of America’s national parks--has planned to encourage you to visit, explore, and perhaps volunteer during that week:

April 17: Park Rx Day--Being outdoors supports wellness in a number of ways, making you stronger, happier, healthier, and more productive.   Discover NPF programs that are helping parks be more resilient and sustainable, as well as those that contribute to landscape and wildlife conservation.  

April 18:  Volunteers in Parks--From clearing trails to planting trees to assisting

Keeping trails in good order is
a task of National Park Service.

archaeologists, volunteers are critical in providing support for NPS.  Explore NPF communities and workforce programs that help grow the capacity of NPS and our partners. 

April 19: Military Monday-- For active-duty military and veterans, as well as their families, national parks can provide a place of solitude, beauty, reflection, and recreation. Discover the stories of military history, veterans and military members that are preserved in parks across the country. 

April 20: Transformation Tuesday-- NPS has been protecting and preserving lands and historic structures for over 100 years. Discover NPF’s work in landscape and wildlife conservation, to preserving history and culture, and investments we’re making in parks of the future for future generations.  

April 21: Wayback Wednesday—Be inspired by NPF’s continued work in history and culture to support the preservation of historic sites, collections, and artifacts in parks that share these stories, and our support to  ensure such treasures will be accessible for centuries to come. 

History is on display at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota.

April 22: Earth Day—Celebrate this day by learning about the NPF’s innovative strategies that make our parks environmentally friendly and sustainable work in landscape and wildlife conservation.

April 23: Friendship Friday—Working within communities, NPF helps expand the capacity of parks nationwide, leading to stronger, healthier parks.

Protecting and conserving wildlife such as this moose in
Montana's Glacier National Park.

April 24: Junior Ranger Day--NPS’s Junior Ranger programs help young park visitors connect with our shared history, heritage, and national parks. Find a Junior Ranger program in a park near you or earn a digital Junior Ranger badge from home. Young visitors are encouraged to establish meaningful connections in our parks through education, engagement,  and outdoor exploration.

April 25: B.A.R.K. Day--Learn the B.A.R.K. Ranger principles for when you bring Fido on a trip to a pet-friendly park and discover the many roles dogs play in parks, especially by encouraging multicultural and multigenerational families to spend time outdoors together.

Information courtesy of National Park Service.

 

 

 

 

 

National Park Week sets theme days and no-fee day

Rocky Mountain National Park is a favorite for visitors.

If you love America’s national parks as much as we do, you’ll be excited to learn about different ways the National Park Service, National Park Foundation, and other groups plan to celebrate National Park Week, April 17-25, 2021. Here are the theme days that the National Park Foundation—the official charity of America’s national parks--has planned to encourage you to visit, explore, and perhaps volunteer during that week:

April 17: Park Rx Day--

Hiking in Bryce Canyon National Park

Being outdoors supports wellness in a number of ways, making you stronger, happier, healthier, and more productive.   Discover NPF programs that are helping parks be more resilient and sustainable, as well as those that contribute to landscape and wildlife conservation.  As a bonus, this is a “fee free” day for parks that charge to visit.

April 18:  Volunteers in Parks--From clearing trails to planting trees to assisting archaeologists, volunteers are critical in providing support for NPS.  Explore NPF communities and workforce programs that help grow the capacity of NPS and our partners. 

April 19: Military Monday-- For active-duty military and veterans, as well as their families, national parks can provide a place of solitude, beauty, reflection, and recreation. Discover the stories of military history, veterans and military members that are preserved in parks across the country. 

Lake Helen in Lassen Volcanic National Park

April 20: Transformation Tuesday-- NPS has been protecting and preserving lands and historic structures for over 100 years. Discover NPF’s work in landscape and wildlife conservation, to preserving history and culture, and investments we’re making in parks of the future for future generations.  

Rafting in Big Bend National Park in Texas

April 21: Wayback Wednesday—Be inspired by NPF’s continued work in history and culture to support the preservation of historic sites, collections, and artifacts in parks that share these stories, and our support to  ensure such treasures will be accessible for centuries to come. 

Old Faithful in Yellowstone
National Park

April 22: Earth Day—Celebrate this day by learning about the NPF’s innovative strategies that make our parks environmentally friendly and sustainable work in landscape and wildlife conservation.

April 23: Friendship Friday—Working within communities, NPF helps expand the capacity of parks nationwide, leading to stronger, healthier parks.

April 24: Junior Ranger Day--NPS’s Junior Ranger programs help young park visitors connect with our shared history, heritage, and national parks. Find a Junior Ranger program in a park near you or earn a digital Junior Ranger badge from home. Young visitors are encouraged to establish meaningful connections in our parks through education, engagement,  and outdoor exploration.

Hiking in the rainforest of
Olympic National Park

April 25: B.A.R.K. Day--Learn the B.A.R.K. Ranger principles for when you bring Fido on a trip to a pet-friendly park and discover the many roles dogs play in parks, especially by encouraging multicultural and multigenerational families to spend time outdoors together.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

 

 

 

 

Fee-free days at U.S. national parks

Gorgeous reflections in Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park

I’ve written many times about our country’s Best Idea, the creation of national parks, and the free days that are offered several times a year. There’s no better time than now to choose your favorite, closest, or a never-visited park and discover what makes it unique.

Colorful rock formations in Badlands National Park in South Dakota

The National Park Service (NPS) celebrateed 100 years of protecting and preserving the nation’s parks and monuments during 2016. During 2017 National Park Week, April 15-23, you can  take advantage of fee-free entrance to all parks that usually charge a fee.

Each of the 410 national parks, monuments, seashores, etc. is a thread in the tapestry that tells the story of our country—its beautiful landscapes, diverse culture, and rich heritage. Throughout the year, and especially during National Park Week, the NPS and National Park Foundation invite everyone to discover and share their unique connections to our public lands.

Thermal pools in Yellowstone National Park

On Saturday, April 22, park-goers can join a special volunteer Earth Day project. And on Sunday, April 23, visitors can get out and get active with a ranger-led program on "Park Rx Day." Park Rx is a community health initiative where medical doctors “prescribe” time in parks to promote wellness and help prevent and treat chronic disease.



Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park



“With free admission to parks all week, National Park Week is the perfect opportunity to check out a new location, revisit one of your favorite parks, and perhaps invite a friend who has never visited a park before to join you,” says Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. “These treasured places are vital and relevant to people from all backgrounds from all over the country,” he adds.

Impossibly blue Crater Lake National Park in Oregon

While you're at one of the national parks consider purchasing a National Park Pass. It's a bargain , especially for families, service personnel, or seniors that can save users a lot of money over the years.

Steam fissure in Volcanoes National Park,
Big Island of Hawaii

National parks are perfect destinations for family getaways. If you live near a national park, plan a day trip—or stay a couple of days if your chosen park is further away. Either way, you’ll enjoy recreational opportunities, learn local history, bask in outstanding natural scenery, and have wonderful memories to share.

St. Elias mountain approaching Wrangell-St. Elias
National Park in Alaska

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

 

 

Don't forget National Park Week, which extends through April 27. Pay no entrance fee if you visit this weekend. The National Park Foundation shares this infographic to encourage more people to participate in America's Best Idea--establishment of the national park system.

  



Did You Know...

• Sequoias, the largest trees in the world, can be as tall as a 26-story building.
• There are more than 4,900 caves in our national parks.
• Black bears eat up to 20,000 calories a day.

Information provided by National Park Foundation

Visit U.S. national parks during fee-free week in April

Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado

If you love nature and the beauty of God-created landscapes, don’t let the week of April 19-27, 2014 go by without a visit to one of America’s national parks.  The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation have designated that time as National Park Week. To entice visitors even further (as if you needed enticement to enjoy any of these national treasures), there will be no entrance fees on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20. Yes, you can visit any of the more than 4,000 areas within the national park system free of charge.

Wrangell St. Elias is a true wilderness area

The theme for National Park Week this year is Go Wild. A perfect place to start—a park that exemplifies the theme better than any other--would be the country’s largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, which covers an astounding 13.2 million acres in Alaska.

 Bears and berries perfectly represent the Go Wild theme
for April 2014 National Park Week

Alaska too far away to visit this weekend? In addition to the 13 well-known attractions such as Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier, there are 20 National Natural Landmarks, 46 National Historic Landmarks, and more than 3,000 National Register of Historic Places. From diverse wildlife and iconic landscapes to vibrant culture and rich history, the National Park System has something for everyone.

Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming

Also, this year the National Park Foundation has teamed with Disney, which is premiering the new Disneynature film “Bears” on Friday, April 18. If you see the film during opening week, Disneynature will make a donation to the National Park Foundation on your behalf to help protect wildlife and wild places in the park system.

Our national parks have been called America’s Best Idea, and if you’ve visited any of these extraordinary places, I’m sure you’ll agree. As a bonus, many will feature special programs for discovering history and exploring nature during National Park Week, so check online to see what’s offered at your nearest national park.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee

Whether you like to hike, learn about history, entertain the kids, join crowds of fellow sight-seers, or seek out peace and solitude, there’s a park experience to fit your needs. National parks belong to all of us, so take advantage of these special places during the fee-free week. Look online for the National Park Foundation’s free Owner’s Guide series for a plethora of ideas to help you plan your next adventure, either during National Park Week or any time throughout the year.

Glacier National Park in Montana

Do you have a favorite national park? Tell us which one and why you’d recommend it to readers.

No admission fees during National Park Week

Glacier National Park

What better time to show your love and appreciation for America’s national parks than during National Park Week, April 20-28, 2013. Admission is free Monday through Friday of that week to all of our nation’s 401 national parks.

Yellowstone National Park

The National Park Service and the National ParkFoundation, official charity of American’s national parks, invite you to discover history, explore nature, and just have fun. Since there’s a national park in every state—and every American is less than 100 miles from a national park-- there’s no reason not to visit for a day or more during this special week.

Take your pick from a variety of seashores, battlefields, historic homes, archeological sites, or spectacular natural areas. Each of these destinations in some way helps celebrate our national heritage, and most have recreational facilities for visitors to use.

You can plan your visit by choosing a park near where you live or checking out special programs offered during the week at various parks. It’s a great time to get to know a national park you’ve never visited before or to explore new areas of a familiar park.



Great Smokey Mountain National Park

If you have children, a great time to schedule a park visit is Saturday, April 20, which is National Junior Ranger Day. Young visitors are encouraged to explore, learn, and protect park resources, and they can be sworn in as Junior Rangers. Many parks will welcome anyone willing to help with projects on April 27, Volunteer Day.

Grand Teton National Park

To whet your appetite for a park excursion, here are some statistics on what you can find in our national parks: 84 million acres of spectacular scenery, historic landmarks and cultural treasures; 17,000 miles of trails; 43,000 miles of shoreline; 27,000 historic and prehistoric structures; 100 million museum items; and 12,000 campsites. National parks belong to the public, so we should support and protect these resources—and you’ll get so much pleasure from exploring these amazing places.

Utah’s Fab Five

Arches National Park

 Here’s more inspiration: One of my favorite destinations is Southern Utah, an absolute wonderland of stunning mountain scenery, archeological formations, and cool rivers. Five of the country’s most outstanding parks are located in a relatively compact region, and you could visit all of them during April’s Fee Free Week. You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck by taking a road trip or guided tour that encompasses several of these beautiful parks: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

Read more travel stories at Striped Pot and Austin Adventure Travel