11 Things You Didn’t Know About The U.S. National Parks
Most of us view the National Parks as grand destinations for summer vacations or bucket list trips. We picture the geysers of Yellowstone or the vastness of the Grand Canyon. However, there's a lot more to this system than just the famous vistas and crowded trails. If you look a little deeper, you'll be surprised at what you find. Here are some facts you might not have known about the country's national parks.
Your Dog Can Be a B.A.R.K. Ranger
You don't have to leave your furry friend at home when visiting a national park. Many parks offer the B.A.R.K. Ranger program, an initiative that teaches dog owners how to visit parks responsibly with their pets. You'll learn specific rules about leashes and waste disposal to keep wildlife safe. Once you complete a few simple activities, your dog can get sworn in and even wear a special tag. It's a fun way to include the whole family in your travels.
Stargazing Is Protected
Light pollution is a major issue in most cities, but National Parks are fighting to preserve the night sky. The International Dark-Sky Association certifies parks that are removed enough from areas with tons of light pollution that they possess an exceptional quality of starry nights. In these places, you can even see the Milky Way with the naked eye. Parks like Great Basin and Big Bend offer night sky programs where rangers guide you through the constellations, which you'll get to see clearer than ever,
You Can Volunteer for Your Pass
If you have some free time and want to give back, you can volunteer at a park. The Volunteers-In-Parks program accepts people for all sorts of roles, from campground hosts to trail maintenance crews. It's a rewarding way to immerse yourself in the environment. Plus, if you accrue 250 service hours, you can earn a volunteer pass that grants you free entrance for a year. It's a great option for retirees, anyone on a long sabbatical, or anyone wanting to give back to their local park.
Artists Live in the Parks
You might be surprised to find painters, photographers, and writers working right next to the trails. More than 50 residency programs across the country offer artists the chance to live in a park for a few weeks, where they use the time to create work inspired by the landscape. Even if you aren't an artist, you can enjoy the fruits of this program through public workshops and gallery shows held within the park boundaries.
You Can Harvest Fruit in Some Parks
It's generally a strict rule that you shouldn't pick plants or flowers in a National Park. However, Capitol Reef National Park in Utah breaks this typical rule with its historic orchards. These orchards were planted by pioneers, and the park still maintains them to this day. When the fruit is in season, you're allowed to pick and eat cherries, apricots, peaches, and apples. You can eat all you want while you're in the orchard for free, and you only need to pay a small fee if you take fruit out with you.
You Can Be a Citizen Scientist
You don't need a PhD to help rangers study the ecosystem. Many parks run Citizen Science projects where visitors assist with data collection. You might count butterflies, monitor water quality, or track phenology changes in plants. It's an educational (and contributive) way to slow down and look closely at the details of the world around you. The data you collect then helps scientists understand how the environment in that park is changing. It transforms a regular hike into a meaningful contribution to science.
Firewood Restrictions Are Serious
Campfires are a staple of the outdoor experience, but you shouldn't bring your own wood from home. This isn't just a suggestion either. Moving firewood transports invasive insects and diseases that can devastate forests. Many parks strictly prohibit outside wood to protect their trees from pests like the emerald ash borer. You should buy your wood either near or inside the park where you camp. You don't want to be the reason that part of the park needs to get flattened.
There Are More Than 63 Parks
When people talk about National Parks, they usually mean the 63 "capital N" National Parks like Zion or Yosemite. However, the National Park Service actually manages over 420 sites. These include National Seashores, National Monuments, Battlefields, and Historic Sites. These locations often have fewer crowds and lower entrance fees, yet they offer equally incredible history and scenery. Expanding your search to these other designations can lead to a much more unique (and often much more peaceful) experience.
There Are Underwater Trails
If you stick to dry land, you're missing a huge portion of the park system. Parks like Biscayne National Park in Florida and Virgin Islands National Park are largely water-based. They feature designated underwater trails complete with plaques and markers. You can snorkel or dive along these routes to learn about the local marine life and historic shipwrecks. It's a truly unique experience compared to other parks, and well worth it for someone wanting to take a break from hiking.
Caves require Decontamination
If you plan to visit a park with caves, such as Mammoth Cave or Carlsbad Caverns, you'll encounter strict rules about your footwear. This is to prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome, a fungal disease that is deadly to bats, as spores can hitch a ride on shoes or clothes that have been in other caves. Rangers may ask you to walk across bio-cleaning mats or even prohibit gear that has been underground elsewhere. It might feel like an inconvenience, but it's a vital measure to save bat populations.
Urban Gardens Are Part of the System
You don't need to drive hours into the wilderness to find a National Park site. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, D.C., is a perfect example. It's the only National Park site devoted to the propagation of aquatic plants, featuring ponds filled with massive lotuses and water lilies. It's a haven for gardeners and birdwatchers right in the middle of a city, no long journey required.
The National Parks are a vast resource, and they offer much more than just a pretty backdrop for a photo. Whether you're looking for a truly unique excursion, to contribute through volunteering, or just find a spot away from the crowds, there's a way to tailor the experience to your needs. We hope these tips help you navigate the system a little better and encourage you to get out there and explore.