This Land Is Our Land: A Call to Protect Our National Parks 🌲🏞️🦅
Join me on a journey through national parks and the urgent fight to protect them.
Hello nature lovers, trail wanders, and stewards of our protected lands,
National parks have inspired my life purpose. From childhood adventures in Colorado’s Rockies to road trips with my family as our kids were growing up. Now, I get to share my passion with my readers through national park mystery thrillers and the journeys of Alex, Ben, and Mitch. Soon, I will get to share them with my first grandchild.
But our National Parks are more than summer destinations. They are special spaces that are worth protecting. But today, they are under attack. As crowds return to the parks, they face deep budget cuts, understaffed ranger teams, crumbling infrastructure, and political threats.
Now more than ever, we must be not just visitors, but protectors. They belong to all of us, and their future depends on the care we show today. Join me on a journey to fight for their preservation, so they can remain wild, thriving, and protected for generations to come.
National Parks Under Attack🚨🌲🏞️
National parks are facing a crisis. The Trump administration has proposed axing $1.2 billion from the National Park Service budget. These cuts would slash resources for park management, eliminate funding for natural resource programs, and drastically reduce staffing, over 5,500 full-time positions.
It means fewer rangers, closed trails, abandoned campgrounds, and an end to vital wildfire prevention work. And in Oregon, where Crater Lake alone brought in over 500,000 visitors and $80 million in economic impact last year, the damage would be devastating. The impact is already here as the Crater Lake National Park’s superintendent resigned, citing severe staff shortages and delayed seasonal hiring.
Protect, Preserve, and Pass It On 🥾🏕️🚣♂️
Now more than ever, we must be more than adventurers. We must be stewards, changemakers, and Rescue Rangers.
Join me on a journey through six extraordinary National Parks, where we’ll celebrate their mystery and meaning while confronting the hard truths of what’s at stake.
Let’s explore, protect, and fight for the precious wild places.
Yosemite
John Muir called Yosemite the “Father of the National Parks.”
It’s been years since I last visited Yosemite, but it feels like yesterday with the ancient sequoias, thundering waterfalls, and a spectacular sunrise over the valley.
Respect the wildlife. Black bears, deer, and coyotes roam the meadows, reminding us that we’re the visitors here.
For the best hikes, take the Mist Trail to Nevada Falls for an exhilarating climb or try the Panorama Trail for sweeping valley views. And whatever you do, don’t miss El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and the giants of Mariposa Grove.
Arches
More than a decade ago, I spent time with my son on a trip from the Colorado Rockies to several Utah National Parks, including Arches. He woke me up early to hike up the trail and experience the Delicate Arch at sunrise. It was priceless!
The best time to visit is spring or fall for mild weather and stunning light. Watch for desert bighorn sheep, ravens, lizards, and eagles soaring above.
If you go, take your time. Let the silence settle in. And when the sun rises, watch the desert come alive.
Yellowstone
It’s been nearly twenty years since I last stood before Old Faithful in Yellowstone, watching steam rise into the crisp mountain air. But last week, my son visited and sent me a photo of a bison standing alone in the valley.
Bison roamed for thousands of years, surviving near extinction in the late 1800s when their numbers dwindled to just two dozen. Thanks to conservation efforts, the park now protects the largest free-roaming herd in the U.S., with over 4,800 bison thriving.
Go from late May to early October for wildlife sightings and fewer road closures. Be cautious and give space to the wildlife of bison, wolves, elk, and grizzlies. Don’t miss: Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the bubbling geysers of Norris Basin
Colorado Rocky Mountains
Some of my earliest memories are growing up in the Colorado Rockies.
I remember being 7 years old, packing up the car for another adventure camping with the Guides and my Dad, sleeping bags stuffed tight, backpacks loaded with snacks, and the promise of a summer night under the stars.
Fall was golden. The aspens turned bright as fire. We’d drive Trail Ridge Road, watching the mountains shift colors, pulling over to breathe it all in.
Winter was magic. We’d pile into the car and head up to a tiny cabin in Evergreen, where snow stacked high on the roof, and the fireplace crackled late into the night. Sledding, snowshoeing, and cup after cup of cocoa made everything feel warm, even when the wind howled through the trees.
Joshua Tree
It was a family vacation for my birthday, just a couple of years ago.
We pulled into Joshua Tree, where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet, and something about it felt different. It was like stepping into a dream.
One morning, we set out early, hiking through Hidden Valley wrapped by massive boulders. That’s when I saw it. A weathered sign in the sand, Do Not Die Today. Use Caution! The Desert Can Be Deadly. That moment stayed with me, later inspiring a story.
The best time to visit is from late fall to early spring for cooler hikes and crisp desert air. Look for Jackrabbits, roadrunners, coyotes, sunrises, stargazes, and Joshuas, and be careful not to touch the Cholla Cactus Garden.
Acadia
Earlier this spring, I found myself wandering the rugged coastline of Maine to explore Acadia National Park.
Lighthouses stand watch over crashing waves, and trails weave through forests that open to breathtaking ocean views. It’s the kind of place that calls you back again and again.
Drive or rent a bike and explore the Park Loop Road, a 27-mile scenic drive with Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff. I went up to Cadillac Mountain, but it was foggy that day. Famous for sunrise or sunset views, but be sure to get a reservation.
For the adventurous, the Precipice Trail is a thrilling cliffside climb with iron rungs and views! Beehive Trail is equally challenging and rewarding, too, with stunning views as you scramble to the top. For a more peaceful moment, Jordan Pond is an easier hike and with delicious popovers at Jordan Pond House, with views of the Bubble Mountains. Don’t miss the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, one of the most iconic lighthouses in Maine, perched dramatically on the rocky shore as waves crash below.
Take Action: Protect Our National Parks 🛡️🥾📢
Our parks need us. Here’s how you can help:
Leave No Trace: Respect the land: stay on trails, pack out waste, and observe wildlife from a distance. Camp responsibly and inspire others to explore with care.
Support Our National Parks: Donate, volunteer, and advocate for conservation. Visit lesser-known parks, buy annual passes, and push for sustainable protections.
Stand Up for Parks in the Budget Fight: Demand funding, sign petitions, and contact lawmakers. Protecting public lands is an investment in future generations.
Whoa, I didn't know all of this existed until I read your post. Beautifully written, for sure!
Thank you!