ST. GEORGE — Do you have a favorite park story? The National Park Service invites visitors to share their park story during National Park Week 2023.
Don’t have one? It’s the perfect time to find adventure, so you have a new tale to tell.
The NPS manages and preserves more than 400 national park sites across the United States. Beginning April 22, the NPS kicks off a 9-day celebration, National Park Week, honoring some of our most beautiful and historical places. This year, park rangers want to hear your story. It’s your chance to tell the world why a particular national park is meaningful to you.
You can visit a national park most anytime. So, why should you visit during National Park Week? There are a few good reasons.
All national park sites waive entrance fees for visitors on the celebration’s first day, Saturday, April 22. You can expect smaller crowds, despite National Park Week and potential late spring break visitors.
According to NPS statistics, nationwide attendance in April 2022 was 27% less than the visitation averages from May through September, the busy summer season. The NPS and various partners will host events and activities throughout the celebration.
Leading into the National Park Week celebration, National Volunteer Week is April 16-22, during which the NPS recognizes volunteers who work with park rangers and staff at our parks.
In addition to the free park entrance, April 22 is Earth Day and National Park Rx Day. It is a time to honor Earth, nature’s healing powers and our connections to the national parks.
April 29 is National Junior Ranger Day. Many parks offer programs where children can explore, learn, and protect. Some parks provide online events for families unable to visit during National Park Week. To find the best option for your family to participate, the NPS offers a webpage to search for events by state, type of event and date.
Following is a summary of events featured at national parks located in proximity to St. George and Southern Utah in general:
Zion National Park hosts daily ranger talks at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and daily guided ranger walks at 1:30 along the beautiful Pa’rus Trail. Visitors will discover diverse landscapes as the primarily paved path traces the Virgin River to Canyon Junction.
Bryce Canyon National Park is best known for its unique geological formations and countless hoodoos (thin spires of rock), is located in southern Utah near the border with Arizona. A popular stop on any road trip through the American Southwest, this place offers spectacular views during sunrise or sunset when all of these unusual rock structures are illuminated by a warm golden glow.
Capitol Reef National Park, which features walking tours, motor tours and usually smaller crowds, was described by Edward Abbey as “the most beautiful place on Earth.” The visitor center is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily, and the famous Gifford House is open daily from 9 a.m.- noon and 12:45-4:30 p.m.
Grand Canyon National Park‘s North Rim remains closed for winter and is scheduled to open June 3. However, the South Rim visitor center is open year-round 8 a.m.-noon Thursday-Monday. A free shuttle system is available to visitors and provides easy transport along the Kaibab trail system and offers varying views of the Grand Canyon.
Tell your park story
The NPS utilizes various social media platforms to provide updates to national park advocates and outdoor enthusiasts. Park staff and rangers will use #YourParkStory when sharing their favorite park memories.
How can you tell your story? Use #MyParkStory from April 22-30 when posting online about your connections to or memories of your favorite park.
To find a national park site in your state or discover a new park to explore, visit the NPS park search page. There are plenty of opportunities to participate in this year’s National Park Week, both online and in person. You could add a chapter to your story.
Written by SCOTT McCONKEY for Wealth of Geeks, via The Associated Press
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