Urban Hike, Experience Silence, Hug A Tree: NPS Turns 99
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Grand Teton National Park. Nick Yerger photo.
Tomorrow the National Park Service celebrates its 99th birthday in style, offering free admission to all parks across the country. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to explore some of the most beautiful areas of the United States, considering the usual $30 entry fee to visit a park.
As part of the celebration, the NPS has released a 99-item list, of ways to "Find Your Park." The list is all across the board and has ideas for everyone, ranging from taking a sunrise selfie to earning a junior ranger badge. Visitors to parks who share their experiences on social media are encouraged to use the hashtag #FindYourPark.
Not a sunrise selfie, but a bison selfie in Yellowstone, nonetheless. Katie Elkins photo.
"The 99th birthday is an opportunity to make a connection to any of the National Park Service sites across the country," said Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk in a press release. "We believe these experiences create future stewards and advocates to ensure the National Park Service mission is alive and strong in another 99 years."
At Yellowstone alone, there will be 77 programs offered for park visitors, including ranger walks, talks and hikes.
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Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone. Katie Elkins photo.
It was on August 25, 1916 that President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation to launch the NPS, and now nearly 100 years later there are 408 parks across the country for all to enjoy.
This isn't the only time when the parks are free, and two more days remain this year, September 26 and November 11, in honor of National Public Lands Day and Veterans Day.
