How To Use Your National Parks

I decided to start a new weekly (or thereabouts) blog about my nature experiences. For this week's topic, however, I am giving you a brief users guide to your national parks. 

This summer the National Park Service is celebrating its centennial. They are encouraging everyone to get out and find their park. In light of recent events at Yellowstone, finding your park can get you in trouble if you don't know what to do with it. Yes, these parks belong to you. But since you have to share them with the rest of us, be courteous. Here are some rules to make your visit safe and enjoyable.

Rule #1: Leave only footprints. 

Rule #1A: Leave those footprints only on designated trails, in parking lots, or on boardwalks. In some areas, such as Mount Rainier's Paradise, the off-trail areas are fragile plants. Other areas, like Yellowstone's geyser basin, contain delicate soil resting on top of boiling springs. Taking shortcuts around a switchback erodes the hillside.

Rule #2: Take only photographs.

Rule #2A: Taking memories is also acceptable. Taking anything else is not. Don't pick the flowers. Leave them for others to look at. Don't take the rocks. Sure, there are a million of them. But if every visitor takes a rock, there won't be any rocks left.

Rule #3: Follow the park rules. They are posted for your safety and to limit disrupting other visitors' experience.

Rule #4: Give wildlife space. You are in their home now. For your safety and theirs, give critters at least 25 yards. In the case of large predators like bears and wolves, make it at least 50 yards. If you can throw a snowball at it and hit it, you are too close. Giving wildlife its distance reduces stress on the animal and reduces your risk of injury. Just because an animal appears docile does not make it harmless. Bison and moose are wild animals, and believe it or not, they can be quite brutal.

Rule #4A: Don't feed the animals. Sometimes it's impossible to keep the 25 yard buffer between yourself and, say a chipmunk or hungry gray jay that approach you at your picnic table. Do not feed them. Equating people with food will draw them to people, which can desensitize them to people. While you might think it's nice to have a furry new friend, they really have every reason in the world to fear humans.

Rule #5: Relax and enjoy yourself! If you are in a national park, you are probably on vacation or a weekend getaway. Slow down and enjoy the scenery. Breathe in the clean air. Take a walk. Explore and ask questions. Have fun!