Five Ways You Can Celebrate National Park Week

What do you picture when you think of our national parks?

Maybe you envision the breathtaking beauty of their soaring peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests.

Perhaps you associate them with a certain emotion, like the happiness that stems from spending time with family on a hiking adventure.

Whatever comes to mind, there’s no doubt that America’s national parks hold a special place in our collective conscience. This week, April 17–25, is National Park Week — and the Arbor Day Foundation is proud to join nature lovers across the country in celebrating these precious lands. Here are a few ways you can celebrate National Park Week, wherever you happen to be located.

Plan your next park visit

If you’re lucky enough to live close to a national park, get out and enjoy one this week! If not, take this time to plan out some of your dream park destinations. This online quiz makes it easy to find the right fit.

To save on park fees, schedule your trip around these remaining free admission days in 2021:

• August 4 – Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• August 25 – National Park Service Anniversary
• September 25 – National Public Lands Day
• November 11 – Veterans Day

Read: Celebrating Arbor Day in Your Own Way

Enjoy park views via online webcams

If you can’t physically travel to a national park, online webcams are the next best thing. The National Park Service offers live views of many of its popular destinations. Some stream video, while others take photos in regular increments. Find a full list here.

Relax with the sounds of our parks

To further recreate the experience of visiting a national park, tune into this 12-minute collection of sounds from parks across the country.

Test your national parks knowledge

Put your national parks knowledge to the test with this “Where the ‘Park’ Am I” quiz, which has participants attempt to identify parks across the country based on pictures.

Stay connected on social media

Finally, make sure to stay connected to your favorite parks on social media! The National Park Service is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and most individual parks have their own accounts as well. Follow along for park news, gorgeous photos, and fun facts about wildlife.

A few of our other favorite holidays —Arbor Day, on April 30, and Earth Day, on April 22 — are right around the corner as well, making it a great time to enjoy the outdoors. So what are you waiting for? Get out and explore nature!