Why National Parks Matter
I participate in a program at Nat Geo headquarters in which “seasoned” staffers like me nurture junior staffers. But I’m always astonished by how much mentors learn from the people they’re supposed to advise.
Take my current mentee, Valerie Perry, a technical production specialist working for our Nat Geo Live events. Turns out this 30-year-old has a passion for America’s national parks and is on a personal quest to visit 100 parks before the National Park Service (NPS) centennial in 2016.
A daunting, not to mention expensive, endeavor, no?
On the contrary, Valerie reminds me, there are some 400 NPS sites (including 59 full-fledged national parks) spread across the United States—and only about a third of these charge admission.
I’ve made big trips to several of the marquee western parks, including Yellowstone, Zion, and Grand Canyon; each visit has expanded my mind and spirit (pill free, without negative aftereffects). But Valerie’s mission has motivated me to check out the parks in my backyard, and to get that natural high year-round.
Wolf Trap, just outside Washington, D.C., is the only national park site dedicated to the performing arts (I recently saw rock icon Pat Benatar, still hitting it with her best shot); the upcoming season lists the Broadway hit Million Dollar Quartet and Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club.
And last fall a group of my high school friends took on two great trails (Whiteoak Canyon and Mary’s Rock) at Shenandoah National Park, in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains; we’re already planning our next hike.
National parks are like poems: arguably superfluous but in reality vital to humanity. Celebrate National Park Week (April 19 to 27) by visiting one near you.
Norie Quintos is National Geographic Traveler‘s acting editor in chief. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @NorieCicerone.
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
Science
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
- The unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and MounjaroThe unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and Mounjaro
- Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.
Travel
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park