Sally French

Not the busiest year, though. That record was actually back in 2016 when there was 330 million national park visits recorded. What happened in 2016? Well, that was the National Park Service Centennial. So I'm guessing it was a big marketing push to get everyone to celebrate the 100th anniversary of that agency. Okay, so these types of marketing tactics really do work. Yeah.

The national parks have really been on the rise for the past decade, though, with the exception of a slowdown in 2020 and 2021.

The national parks have really been on the rise for the past decade, though, with the exception of a slowdown in 2020 and 2021.

The national parks have really been on the rise for the past decade, though, with the exception of a slowdown in 2020 and 2021.

But if you're planning to take a trip in the off season, make sure the park you want to visit is open. Like there are some parts or entire parks that don't open the entire winter. Right. I went to Zion once in February and it was really beautiful. There were not a ton of people and there was actually snow on the cliffs and nobody on the shuttles with us, which was amazing.

But if you're planning to take a trip in the off season, make sure the park you want to visit is open. Like there are some parts or entire parks that don't open the entire winter. Right. I went to Zion once in February and it was really beautiful. There were not a ton of people and there was actually snow on the cliffs and nobody on the shuttles with us, which was amazing.

But if you're planning to take a trip in the off season, make sure the park you want to visit is open. Like there are some parts or entire parks that don't open the entire winter. Right. I went to Zion once in February and it was really beautiful. There were not a ton of people and there was actually snow on the cliffs and nobody on the shuttles with us, which was amazing.

especially if you're going in peak season, pay attention to reservation requirements. Some parks require advanced reservations to just enter the park during busy times. You don't want to drive or fly all the way there and get turned away at the gates.

especially if you're going in peak season, pay attention to reservation requirements. Some parks require advanced reservations to just enter the park during busy times. You don't want to drive or fly all the way there and get turned away at the gates.

especially if you're going in peak season, pay attention to reservation requirements. Some parks require advanced reservations to just enter the park during busy times. You don't want to drive or fly all the way there and get turned away at the gates.

I think that's especially important this year. You'll want to arm yourself with information and be prepared because visitor centers might not always be open and there isn't a lot of cell phone service in some parks. So do your best to familiarize yourself with the area, download an offline map, and know the risks.

I think that's especially important this year. You'll want to arm yourself with information and be prepared because visitor centers might not always be open and there isn't a lot of cell phone service in some parks. So do your best to familiarize yourself with the area, download an offline map, and know the risks.

I think that's especially important this year. You'll want to arm yourself with information and be prepared because visitor centers might not always be open and there isn't a lot of cell phone service in some parks. So do your best to familiarize yourself with the area, download an offline map, and know the risks.

As we talked about at the top of the episode, there have been some cuts to federal jobs at the national parks, so you might be worried about short staffing and what that means for you. I called a former park ranger I know, and his advice for staying at a park that might have less staffing than usual is to be responsible for yourself.

As we talked about at the top of the episode, there have been some cuts to federal jobs at the national parks, so you might be worried about short staffing and what that means for you. I called a former park ranger I know, and his advice for staying at a park that might have less staffing than usual is to be responsible for yourself.

As we talked about at the top of the episode, there have been some cuts to federal jobs at the national parks, so you might be worried about short staffing and what that means for you. I called a former park ranger I know, and his advice for staying at a park that might have less staffing than usual is to be responsible for yourself.

But you've already been to the Grand Canyon, Sally.

But you've already been to the Grand Canyon, Sally.

But you've already been to the Grand Canyon, Sally.

Wow, that sounds so cool. But bring some water. That also sounds really hot. Okay, good tip, good tip. For mine, I'm going to pick North Cascades National Park as the one I want to visit. That one is in Washington State. And it is the type of landscape that I love. It's mountains. It's glaciers. It's lakes. It's so pretty. Great hiking.