There's a new website to help you plan your next national park vacation. Launched by the National Park Service, the site currently is configured to help you figure out activities, events, and logistics for visiting a park between now and next summer.
Dubbed Plan Your Visit to America's Best Idea (Your National Parks): Fall, Winter, Spring 2009-2010, the site provides a rundown of events and activities at the parks for the fall, winter and spring months. It also provides some tips, such as where to get the right pass for the parks, a suggestion that you stop at visitor centers and ask rangers questions, and, naturally, a suggestion that you visit www.nps.gov before you leave home to gather more information on the park of your choice.
The National Park Service invites all Americans to come and enjoy their country’s stroke of brilliance, the national parks, in person. These protected places boast spectacular landscapes year-round, as (Ken) Burns demonstrates in his film. Even though fall, winter, and spring make up the so-called “off season” in the National Park System, there is plenty to do in the parks during this time.
“The national parks are truly America’s best idea,” says Director Jon Jarvis, “and one thing that makes them so is their dynamic nature. They are preserved from changes that would radically alter them, but they aren’t static: they’re full of activity. This website helps people know what’s going on in the parks. Americans are quite diverse, but so are the sites that the NPS stewards, and these places and the activities they offer appeal to a range of interests.”
The National Park Service also wants to remind you that your safety is critical. "Hikers should stay on marked trails and let close acquaintances know their whereabouts and plans. Remember to dress appropriately for the elements and for activities and to bring any necessary supplies. It’s always best to have plenty of water on hand. You can easily spot park rangers in their distinctive green and gray uniforms and brimmed hats. Ask questions…that’s why they are there!" the agency says.
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Comments
This is definitely a good thing. I hope it becomes more complete over time.
This website is pretty bad.
Nothing like some pictures of people in the early to mid-90's in faded pictures to make me think a trip to a National Park is anything more than an American pastime, which we all know isn't the case. Overall, the usability is poor and the site feels as old as the pictures.
Would hope for a better effort on a brand new site.
This is good timing, as I'm just now thinking of visiting Joshua Tree National Park in December on my way from Las Vegas to San Diego.
Rap