| Are you looking for a cheap place to vacation this | | | | So, still looking to vacation this year to a place not |
| Summer? Perhaps you don't want to travel too | | | | too far from home? That should be no problem |
| far from your home? Of course you are looking | | | | with the National Park System. With 58 National |
| for a memorable experience, something you will | | | | Parks in the United States it should not be hard to |
| really enjoy. If this is the case then look no | | | | find one near your home. |
| further then one of the protected areas under | | | | For residents of California there is Yosemite, |
| the jurisdiction of the United States National Park | | | | Sequoia and Redwood. If you live in the desert |
| System. | | | | southwest then you are probably not too far |
| The National Park System of the United States is | | | | from the Grand Canyon or Mesa Verde. |
| provided for by the National Park Service, which | | | | Residents of Utah can spend time exploring |
| was organized by President Woodrow Wilson in | | | | Arches or Zion. Residents of North Carolina and |
| the year 1916. The United States Park System | | | | the surrounding area can take time to visit |
| was started with the goal of protecting various | | | | beautiful Shenandoah and last, but certainly not |
| "special" areas throughout the United States so | | | | least, is Yellowstone, where you can be one of |
| that these area would always remain as they | | | | close to 4 million annual visitors. |
| presently were. | | | | Entrance fees to National Parks are very |
| The National Park System started out small, with | | | | affordable. Most parks charge from $3-$20 to |
| the introduction of Yellowstone National Park, | | | | enter. If you plan on seeing more than one park |
| located in the state of Wyoming as the first | | | | on your trip you may want to consider purchasing |
| official protected area. Also in Wyoming was the | | | | a national park pass for $80. |
| first protected National Monument, Devil's Tower. | | | | We hope that this short article has motivated you |
| There are 392 protected areas under the | | | | to take some time to considering visiting at least |
| jurisdiction of the National Park System and the | | | | one of our national parks. If you like it can only be |
| system employees 22,000 people. The parks all | | | | a short trip, lasting less than a full day, or you can |
| have different sizes and popularity. The largest | | | | spend more time, weeks even, backpacking and |
| park is over 13 million acres and the most popular | | | | camping in the backcountry (permit required). No |
| park, Yellowstone, receives nearly 4 million people | | | | matter what you decide, we wish you the best |
| a year. | | | | of luck. |