Today’s tip is very simple…if you are anywhere near a National Park Service site and have a question, need a restroom, or want an awesome map, GO. Generally, the bathrooms are clean, the maps are plentiful, and the Rangers working there are local so they know a great deal about the area.

Most people think only of the park NPS sites when they talk about this agency, but that only makes a small number (59/407) of the various units. The rest are comprised of National Monuments, National Historical Parks, National Seashores, Trails, Riverways, and Sites.

Many of these sites are located in the Northeast Region (The Mighty Northeast!) and because of this, the Northeast Region has the most historically focused parks.  These sites include ones in urban areas such as Boston, Quincy, New York City, and Philadelphia.

Next year is the National Park Service’s 100th birthday. It seems slightly odd that we’ve only been saving such historic and beautiful places as these for just 100 years. With budget cuts and the lack of replacement workers as older ones retire, the Service is in dire need of support. Why not make your next trip a staycation to your closest National Park Site?

Keep your eyes open on Social Media in April to “Find Your Park” and learn more.