Four Great Reasons to Visit National Parks This Year

**Glen’s Note – We welcome Wade Ellett (check out his bio below) as a guest blogger on the site and hope that you find valuable insight to his experiences! Please enjoy his post and we hope that you’ll visit and support our parks in the near future.”

Despite growing up in the Boy Scouts and spending as much time in the great outdoors as possible, I don’t remember visiting a National Park until I was in my thirties. Which is a shame, because as an adult, I’ve had so many amazing experiences exploring what we have referred to as America’s best idea. I can’t change the past, but I’ve resolved to have as many wonderful experiences in America’s national parks as possible, and I encourage you to do the same.

At a time where many parks face unprecedented crowds, budget setbacks, and a significant maintenance backlog, you may have your doubts about whether you should prioritize visiting national parks. To this I say, yes. Yes you should, and if you need convincing, here are four great reasons to visit national parks this year.

1. America’s national parks are home to natural, and man-made, wonders.

Photos of the Grand Canyon are beautiful, but hiking down into it inspires awe. Yosemite’s Half Dome always looks incredible, but you can’t beat the view in person when the setting sun hits it just right. After a hike through the desert, spying that first glimpse of Arches National Park’s Delicate Arch takes your breath away These natural wonders are part of what makes visiting the parks so worthwhile. Protecting these wonders is part of the National Park Service’s mission.

“The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”

The mission of the NPS is to preserve these wonders for all of us, and those still to come, to enjoy. But it isn’t just natural wonders. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Golden Gate Bridge National Recreation Area, and even the Lincoln Memorial all fall under the purview of the National Park Service. All of which are incredible and worth a visit.

2. Whatever your interest, there’s a national park for you!

I like to say there’s something for everybody, and no matter what you love to do, there’s a national park that will complement your interests! Looking to take a backpacking trip? Mount Rainier, Yosemite, and Yellowstone National Park will wow you. Want to do some paddling? Acadia, Channel Island, and Everglades National Park will happily accommodate you and your canoe. Love birding? Carlsbad Caverns, Death Valley, and Big Bend National Park all boast over 300 species of birds to spot and identify.

Whatever you love to do, there’s a national park where you can enjoy yourself!

3. You don’t have to be part of the crowd.

Many people hesitate to visit national parks because they want to avoid the crowds that come with some travel experiences. I understand, because I’m not a fan of large groups of people myself. But there are plenty of ways to have an awesome park experience without getting caught up in a throng of people.

I’ve written about this at length on my website, but a few of the ways you can enjoy national parks without fighting the crowds include;

• Visit national parks in the cusp or off season.
• Head to parks that have less visitation, but are no less fun or interesting.
• Check out lesser-known trails or attractions in the parks.
• Explore the back country of the national parks.

If you follow this advice, you can enjoy a park experience without having to deal with crowds. You may still have to wait in a line when you head into the park, but you can break away from all the people and find some peaceful solitude in any park. A few years ago, some friends and I even avoided everyone else in Yosemite National Park, just by hiking less than ten miles out of the valley!

4. This land is your land.

If you’re an American citizen, national parks are your public land. No where else in the world will you find as much land set aside for your enrichment as you will in America’s park system. Your experiences are part of a long legacy of exploration, adventure, history, and fun. By visiting our parks, you learn about how and why this land is set aside for all of us, and you can take pride in America’s national parks and the men and women who care for, interpret, and protect this land.

The best way to visit your national parks: America the Beautiful PassIf you plan on visiting a number of national parks, I suggest investing in an America the Beautiful Pass. It will save you money in the long run by covering expenses including;

• Entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges.
• Day use fees at national forests and national grasslands.
• Day use fees at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
• Entrance fees and day use fees for a driver and passengers in your personal vehicle at areas that charge a per vehicle fee.

The annual pass is available for $80, but if you visit two or more parks, it will pay for itself! If you currently serve in the Military, Reserves, or National Guard, you have access to a free annual pass, and those of you age 62 or older can purchase an annual pass for $20 or a lifetime pass for $80 (although there is a $10 fee for passes purchased online or by mail).

I highly recommend taking advantage of the America the Beautiful Pass, no matter your situation. Just by having it, you will feel encouraged to put it to good use in our national parks. I can think of no better return on investment than good times spent in the parks.

Start planning your visit to America’s national parks.

Are you ready to plan for your park experience? Wherever you live, and wherever you want to travel, head to Find Your Park to find the right park or NPS managed site for you. You can search by location or activity so no matter what you love to do, you can find a National Park suitable for your next adventure.

Whether you’re planning an upcoming vacation or you’re ready to hit the road now, make one of America’s beautiful parks part of your trip. Whatever you love to do, wherever you love to play, and whenever you want to go, there’s a national park guaranteed to supply an amazing experience.

BIO

Wade Ellett runs Intrepid Daily, a website devoted to helping people lead more adventurous lives. He recently moved to Spearfish, SD where he spends his time exploring the Black Hills National Forest with his wife and dog, and enjoying South Dakota’s six national parks and NPS managed sites.