With the recent release of Ken Burn’s documentary on PBS, America’s Best Idea, the National Park Service has set up a site to help people to plan their visits to the many national parks and monuments. While most people think to only plan visits to a national park during the summer months, many are still open during the Fall, Winter, and Spring months as well.
For those inspired and awed by the majestic scenery, as well as the interesting historical anecdotes from the documentary, next summer may seem like a long time to wait to visit a park. The NPS created this new website to centralize the listing events that are available for visitors during the ‘off-season’ months from September to May. Anything from local farmers’ markets to battlefield illuminations are listed. The site is a work in progress, so events are being added and updated frequently. They have also added a few helpful tips for preparing for your visit to the national parks. One of the most important: make sure to pack and dress appropriately for the weather. In the winter months weather can change dramatically and it’s important to always be prepared for any foul weather that may come your way.
Added benefits of visiting the parks during one of these ‘off’ months can be the smaller crowds and better rates for lodging. As Ken Burn’s documentary illustrated so well, the national parks landscapes are beautiful year-round. Though the activity-of-choice may not be the same as in the summer, you still have the opportunity to explore and enjoy the parks.
