The National Park Service (NPS) will celebrate 100 years in 2014 and the places that NPS protects have long been the provider of summer vacations, family camp-outs and backcountry treks. Though there are millions of reasons for the U.S. national parks to be thought of as America's best idea, my reason for loving the parks is fairly simple: they're amazing.
Exploring the National Parks
All aerial footage used with permission from Glacier Country Tourism.
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Newton B. Drury, NPS Director from 1940 to1951 said it best:
"The American way of life consists of something that goes greatly beyond the mere obtaining of the necessities of existence. If it means anything, it means that America presents to its citizens an opportunity to grow mentally and spiritually, as well as physically. The National Park System and the work of the National Park Service constitute one of the Federal Government's important contributions to that opportunity. Together they make it possible for all Americans—millions of them at first-hand—to enjoy unspoiled the great scenic places of the Nation... The National Park System also provides, through areas that are significant in history and prehistory, a physical as well as spiritual linking of present-day Americans with the past of their country."
With over 84 million acres of land protected by the National Park Service, we all have a unique opportunity to experience the wonder of the natural environment in nearly 400 sites (national parks, national monuments and historic sites) spread across the country.
That's right, millions of acres have been protected for preservation, recreation and education. How cool is that? That means that there is bound to be a park near you. If you head over to the official website of the National Park Service, you can easily search for parks by name, state, activity or topic.
The beauty found within each park is unique. What you experience in Glacier National Park is quite different from what you might experience in Yellowstone National Park, for example. The geography and geology are different, the wildlife is different and the activity offerings within each park vary greatly.
The parks are relatively inexpensive to explore with daily rates averaging around $20-$25 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. Motorcyclists and those on foot pay even less. To add a little perspective: some popular theme parks can cost nearly $300 per person for a 5-day pass. Ouch!
There truly is something for everyone in the parks. Don't want to hike? Take a bus or boat tour instead. Not interested in spending time in the more crowded areas of a particular park? Get a permit and head into the backcounty.
In this Snippet, you'll discover some of the best ways to tour the parks, tips on planning your next adventure and much more. While this is not meant to be an exhaustive look at every national park in the U.S., I hope the information found here will inspire you to take a closer look at the national parks as a fantastic option for recreation, discovery and—best of all—FUN!
As you'll hear in the audio clip below, I've asked fellow national park enthusiasts and time-lapse photographers Sheldon Neill and Colin Delehanty to tell their stories. They have been collaborating for several years on Project Yosemite, which has resulted in two of the most stunning time-lapse videos I have ever seen. Throughout the snippet, they'll share some of their insight about the parks and why they can't seem to stay away.
Listen in as Sheldon and Colin discuss their experience in the national parks.
We're almost ready to dig in, but first follow the links below to see Colin and Sheldon's impressive work in Yosemite National Park.
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Ready to go? Let's talk about getting around the national parks....