July was National Parks and Recreation Month and we were exhorted to “get our play on.” I don’t believe I got my play on, but I was inspired to make a bucket list of U.S. National Parks that I have been wanting to visit. Now that I don’t have young kids at home that I must nurture and expose to experiences that are good for them, I haven’t planned any trips to National Parks. Oops. National Parks and Recreation Month got me to thinking that I might be missing out on some amazing adventures.

My heart does yearn to visit some parks, so I will be sharing my bucket list with you and asking you to tell me about your trips to our Parks.

But first, some numbers and facts.

Number of National Parks- 59

Number of states with National Parks- 27, plus 2 territories

State with the most Parks: California has 9, followed by Alaska-8, Utah-5, Colorado-4.

 

Criteria to become a National Park: 

Natural beauty

Unique geological factors

Unusual ecosystems

Recreational opportunities

National Monuments are chosen for their historical or archaeological significance.

 

BONUS QUESTION-  The first National Park was ??? It was signed into law by President ??? in what year?

I have been blessed to visit some of our parks. The easiest one for me to get to is in Ohio! Cuyahoga Valley National Park is about 30 minutes from my house. I visited this area many times in my youth before it even became a park. Located along the Cuyahoga River (no jokes please, it’s lovely) my park has waterfalls, hills, trails, and exhibits on early rural living. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail follows the Ohio and Erie Canal where mules towed canal boats. The park has numerous historic homes, bridges, and scenic views.

I have also enjoyed my visits to these National Parks:

Grand Canyon

Great Smoky Mountains

Haleakalā

Joshua Tree

Mammoth Cave

Petrified Forest, Painted Desert

Redwood

Yosemite

 

  NUMBER ONE Bucket List must-see is:

Mount Rushmore and the Badlands

 

Also on my bucket list:

Denali

Everglades (I’ve been close)

Grand Teton

Any of the parks in Utah

 

My senior parks pass makes it easy for me to visit, so I have no excuse! These lifetime Passes provide free entrance for the holder as well as all passengers in the car! You can use it at all parks and recreations sites- thousands!

But…On August 28, 2017, the price of the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass will increase for the first time since 1994, from $10 to $80! So, if you are old…act now!