Ways to Celebrate National Park Week 2020
The very first National Park Week took place in 1991, in celebration of the National Park Service’s 75th anniversary. Since then, this tradition has continued and national parks, programs, and partners across the country participate in this fun-filled week of activities and events.
For National Park Week 2020, celebrated April 18 – April 26, we’re looking at all the digital experiences that allow us to enjoy our national parks from wherever we are. Join us during this annual week of park-related fun that continues to remind us why parks were established: to preserve our country’s natural and cultural heritage while encouraging all people to #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque.
Chat with Us
Wildflowers at El Malpais National Monument
Hosted by the National Park Foundation, the National Park Service, and the Department of the Interior, it’s a Twitter chat that’ll get the National Park Week party started! On April 16, 2020, at 1 p.m. ET, park lovers will unite on Twitter to share their favorite memories, tips, and stories about national parks. All are welcome to join the conversation by following the hashtags #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque, as well as sharing, retweeting, or reading along!
Become a Junior Ranger
A Junior Ranger showcases his badges from across the country
The week of festivities officially begins with National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 18. There are tons of ways to keep kids entertained and learning about our national parks. Online Junior Ranger programs feature activity guides designed to introduce young visitors to parks. Learn about the early days of America's 16th president with Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, explore the animals that call Denali National Park home, discover the path to freedom with Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, or search for gold with Klondike Goldrush National Historical Park. Young visitors can even become a Junior Ranger Spaceflight Explorer upon completing this guide from the National Park Service and the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA).
Get Social
There are many ways to connect with national parks online during National Park Week. Use our new Instagram stickers to express your love for our national parks. Just type National Park Foundation in the sticker search bar when posting a Story on Instagram to find them! Join our new Facebook Group for people who heart national parks. Plus all week long, use #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque and #NationalParkWeek on Twitter, and see a new park ranger emoji.
Join the Community
Lassen Volcanic National Park
What was that one hike you will never forget? What about that park tour that just can’t be missed? Reflect on your favorite memories of trips to national parks and share travel tips for those looking to visit in the future. Submit tips and pictures to our Find Your Park Pics & Recs gallery – a new online space where you can read fellow park lovers’ insights as well as post your own. Join a trusted community of adventurers, explorers, and park enthusiasts by sharing your photos and swapping recommendations.
Tune into PARKTRACKS
Redwood National and State Parks
Take a moment out of your day to virtually transport yourself to a national park, all with the power of sound. PARKTRACKS, a twelve-minute innovative audio experience, allows you to escape into the sounds of a national park with sounds captured by the National Park Service’s Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, tapping into of tranquility and mindfulness.
Get Your Game On
A coloring book page depicting a common poorwill from Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Test your trivia know-how or learn a little more about our national parks with this collection of games and challenges from the National Park Service. Take a national park fossil quiz, learn about the birds of Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail through coloring, or even make your own national park bingo board! More games are added all the time, so remember to check back for more fun during National Park Week.
Virtually Visit a Park
Interactive tour of the Nathan and Polly Johnson House, part of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
You can access our parks anytime and anywhere with virtual visits and webcams. Take a 360-degree tour through Channel Islands with Jordan Fisher, or get a glimpse of the Nathan and Polly Johnson House – usually closed to the public – at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Discover just a few of the parks that offer ways to #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque online with our blog.
We get it: one week seems like barely enough time to celebrate your over 400 national parks. The good news is we can celebrate them all year long! Check out all of the ways to follow along with us on social media – follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and use hashtags #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque and #NationalParkWeek.
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