News From GOPARKS

Honoring the Sacrifices They Made Since the beginning of our nation’s history, brave men and women have fought to keep our country safe and free. This month, celebrate Memorial Day by visiting a national park and taking time to reflect on the sacrifices so many have made on behalf of our country. Learn more about the history of past wars at these national parks by experiencing ranger programs, tours, and exhibits. Then, take time to explore our national parks in your own way, while remembering those who gave their lives on behalf of the nation.

How to Find Your Park Scenario: The spring weather has set in and you’re excited to get out there and explore a national park for the first time, but then the thought of trip planning suddenly tempers your zeal. Don’t let the prep stage prevent you from having an unforgettable #FindYourPark experience! Check out this beginner’s guide with trip ideas, tips, and resources that will make the planning process a breeze. From transportation to packing, this guide is a great first step to ensure a smooth trip and maximum time spent enjoying America’s awe-inspiring landscapes and historic sites.

What Will Your Legacy Be? Have you ever considered including a gift to the National Park Foundation through your will, trust, or other estate plan? Now is the time to act! In honor of the National Park Foundation's 50th anniversary, our board of directors is encouraging future support of America's national parks. To do so, they will match 10% of each new substantiated estate gift intention to the National Park Foundation, up to $500,000, throughout this anniversary year. Take this opportunity to ensure our national parks remain vital and relevant to future generations by participating in the 50th Anniversary Legacy Challenge.

Get Your Free National Park Owner's Guides Make your national park experience better than ever. These FREE downloadable national park Owner's Guides are filled with travel tips and information on what not to miss. It's your one-stop resource to discover all your national parks! Download today.

Support Your Parks Show off your love for America’s national parks with NPF gear! Make a difference for America's treasured places – today, and for years to come.

Hit the Trails Like a Pro Excited to strap on your hiking boots and hit the trail for a new adventure? Whether you're planning a 6-month trip or a 3-day trip, to ensure the most successful journey, there are some important things to keep in mind when you're planning an adventure. This handy guide will walk you through how to prepare to hit the trails like a pro!

Oregon's Marble Caves and Historic Chateau "People remember the caves for a lifetime; it’s just magical." Sue Densmore, executive director of the Friends of the Oregon Caves and Chateau, knows better than most that some of the most exciting treasures in the National Park System lie just below the surface. Between the beauty of the Siskiyou Mountains, the experience of staying at the historic Chateau, and the hidden splendor of the Marble Caves, Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve is truly unique. Read more about it on our blog.

Show Off Your Park Pride Heading out for a hike and need something stylish to wear? We’ve got you covered with brand new limited-release NPS logo apparel! The Official Find Your Park Store carries lots of fun national park-inspired gear and accessories that celebrate the National Park Service and encourage everyone to get out there and #FindYourPark. To top it off – one hundred percent of the proceeds from your purchase go to the National Park Foundation to help preserve and protect these remarkable places.

Make Some New (Flat) Friends If you have kids who enjoy getting out of the house — or who might need a little encouragement to go outdoors — we have just the thing. We are delighted to introduce Flat Ranger and Flat Bison. Each comes in two versions: an outline your kids can color in, and a filled-in picture to cut out. We encourage you to have your kids cut out their flat friends and take them to a national park this weekend. Take a picture of the bison or the ranger in a beautiful natural setting, a striking historical location, or a fascinating museum. Then post the photo with the hashtag #FindYourPark.

This Month's Quiz In the 1920s, a Japanese-American photographer's stunning pictures of the North Carolina mountains helped drive public support for the creation of a new national park. Name the photographer and the park unit. And congratulations to last month's winner, Libby Gardner, from Richmond, CA, who knew that visitors can see the remnants of burial mounds in the shapes of birds, bears, bison, and turtles at Effigy Mounds National Monument. Way to go, Libby!

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