Indian Tunnel at Craters of the Moon National Park. One of the many free images from national parks that are available free to the public
This is National Park Week and even if you are unable to visit any of our national parks, there are a bunch of free goodies you can use to immerse yourself in the beauty of these truly natural treasures that we all own.
As you know, the whole idea behind a national month, week or day is not only to think about that entity during that period, but to raise awareness that will hopefully last over time (or until at least the next anniversary).
National Park Week is no different. But this year, there is a special emphasis on our national parks for two major reasons. First, the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service is coming next year. That's huge. You know why? Because America was the FIRST country to actually designate a national park.
Amazing isn't it? You have old world Europe and ancient Asia yet it was the US which named the first national park. Congress passed a law and President Ulysses S. Grant signed it in 1872 to protect and preserve Yellowstone National Park (with its geysers, canyons, waterfalls and wildlife it truly is nature's Disneyworld).
To commemorate the anniversary, the NPS and the National Park Foundation created a "Find Your Park" promotion to raise awareness about parks. Celebs like First Lady Michelle Obama, former First Lady Laura Bush and Bill Nye are out there talking up the benefits and beauty of our parks.
The second major reason for an emphasis on parks is because the NPS estimates it needs $11 billion to address a backlog of upgrades and maintenance. That means fixing roads, repairing shelters, buying more benches for parks, adding more trash cans, installing more park grills, etc. President Obama has proposed a $433 million increase in the parks budget, but even that amount is expected to be challenged by Congress.
Sure, Mother Nature provided us with these riches, but it's our job to maintain them. And they do require maintenance because they are heavily used. It is estimated parks attract 300 million visitors every year. That's not only retirees in RVs but families as well. And, our incredible parks such as Yosemite, The Grand Canyon and the Everglades attract a gazillion tourists from other countries. That's a revenue generating mechanism that politicians should definitely consider.
So, here's a list of the goodies we promised you to help raise awareness and participation in our coveted national parks and for more ways to have fun outdoors.
Free guides, maps and photos of parks
Free Owners' Guide to national park
National Park Owner's Guide: Have you forgotten all the national parks in your state and surrounding states? Here's a handy guide that points them all out. We guarantee there are some in here you might not know. This list also includes historical sites, such as the Minute Man National Park, the Vanderbilt Mansion Historic Place or the New Orleans National Historic Park, which are actually designated as national parks. Your parks.
Happy Trails: There's no better way to get some exercise than to go on a hike in a beautiful setting. Not only that, hiking is one very inexpensive yet incredibly rewarding fun experience (compare it to a day at Disney). This guide gives you 25 Unforgettable National Park Hikes, such as Zion National Park, that every outdoor enthusiast must add to their bucket list. It comes with a guide for all ages and levels of hiking experience so anybody can enjoy these adventures.
Parks for Play: Not into hiking? Here's a list of 35 "National Park Adventures For Kids of All Ages." How about Biscayne National Park in Florida which is 95% underwater or Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Think of it as a trip to Universal Studios, except in this case, Mother Nature is the architect and you are the owner.
The Places Nobody Knows: This is a great one. Just when you think you know all the national parks in the US, here are some you probably never knew existed. Check them out. There are more than 400 national parks. Chances are you haven't been to them all. How about Bandalier National Monument where you can view ancient ruins? There are a bunch of these unknown gems. Here are some unique, relatively-unknown destinations you can visit and then share with your friends.
I Heart Parks Guide: These are fantastic places that we all love, but places the NPS feels might have some romantic powers as well. Take a loved one for a stroll on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Or who would ever forget a week holding hands while snorkeling at Virgin Islands NP?
Bryce Canyon in winte
Winter Wonderlands: Visiting parks is not just a summer experience. To help combat cabin fever, consider the fun things you can do in the winter at these 15 great parks. While the winter months bring on the chills and the snow, they also can transform a location into an incredible setting you can only experience in a January and February. How about sledding at Lasen Volcano in California, for one example? Read this brochure not only for these top winter parks, but also for ideas for what you can do in the winter at your local parks. Got a bunch of sweaters and wool socks for Christmas? Break them out and get out of the house in the winter.
Gimme Shelter: Many people might think that, "Ahh, who wants to spend their vacation in a tent?" That's not necessarily the case with many national parks. Many parks feature inns and hotels. For example, there's the incredible Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park or the cool Crater Lake Lodge in Oregon and the unique Volcano House at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Check them out. Now there's no excuse not to visit and you can still save quite a bit of money considering all the natural attractions that are available with one simple park pass.
Screensavers: Okay, most Americans can't just run out of their cubicles, hop in a car and drive to the Grand Canyon. But, you can still keep the Grand Canyon and other parks in mind while sitting at your desk by downloading a bunch of free screensavers. View your favorite park every day. Find ideas for vacations. Psyche yourself up about an upcoming trip.
You can find all these goodies conveniently in one place right here.
There's more.
Glacier Bay National Par
Free Photo Gallery: Speaking of photos, the NPS offers a free gallery of hundreds of images from hundreds of national parks. This is truly an extensive gallery of free photos. Most are copyright free and in the public domain if you want to use them on a website. You can also find public domain photographs at the individual website for national parks. Find this huge free selection here.
Free Maps: Maps are not cheap when you need one at a gas station. But you will like the price when you go to any of the websites for our national parks, because the price is zero. Maps with trails, scenic sites, you name it. A great way to check out the amenities before you even get there.
Free Topographic Drawings: These drawings of several different locations offer an interesting and artistic view of some of the most beautiful places on the planet. All free. Right here.
Haleakala National Par
Free Passes: Speaking of free. With this link, you can find which days of the year our national parks have free admission. Free admission! You won't find that at any theme parks (understandably, those parks are expensive to run). Check it out. But be prepared. Remember, those major parks could be jammed that day, especially places such as Yosemite which are always crowded. But hey, there are more than 400 national parks in the US. Find one that is less busy but could be just as much fun. Get your free ticket here.
You can see, the National Park Service really works hard to please its enormous customer base, which just happens to be every citizen in America.
But they do need help. That's where you can return the favor. Simply contact your congressman and let them know you want to see more funds designated for parks. Remember, there are 300 million people who use these parks every year. Many of them are voters. Many of them are foreigners who spend their money in local hotels, restaurants and gas stations.
Here's a link to reach your congressman. Give them a call or send them an email. Won't take you much longer than a minute. But your efforts could help preserve these parks for generations to come. That's why the NPS has created this huge promotion called "Find Your Park."
This might be the digital age, but an iPad will never replace the great feeling you get when visiting a park and experiencing the different scents in the air, the cool breezes on your skin and the earth under your feet. Get your free stuff from the NPS and keep those memories alive throughout the year.