National Park Week 2023: Celebrate the Beauty of America’s Natural Landscapes
National Park Week occurs each spring, celebrating the protected spaces within U.S. communities. This year’s event is set to run from April 17 to 25.
This week-long celebration encourages individuals to explore the diverse network of national parks, sacred sites, and historical landmarks. The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation coordinate this initiative, ensuring every national park offers a free admission day on April 17, recognized as Park Rx Day.
Daily Themes for National Park Week
Each day of National Park Week boasts a unique theme:
- VIP (Volunteers in Parks) Sunday: April 18
- Military Monday: April 19
- Transformation Tuesday: April 20
- Wayback Wednesday: April 21
- Earth Day: April 22
- Friendship Friday: April 23 – celebrating those who enhance and preserve national park experiences.
- Junior Ranger Day: April 24 – a day for young visitors to engage with U.S. heritage and landscapes.
- Bark Ranger Day: April 25, ensuring that pets can enjoy their visits safely.
Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, emphasized, “The National Park Foundation and our park partners celebrate the full diversity of our parks. They come in all shapes and sizes. They are urban and rural, natural and manmade. Each park offers a unique story and experience that collectively narrate the American story. Consequently, everyone has a crucial role in preserving these special places.”
Responsible Recreation in National Parks
Visitors are encouraged to recreate responsibly while visiting national parks. This includes adhering to rules such as wearing masks when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Moreover, virtual exploration of parks is advised through various online activities. For more information about the themed days and virtual programming, visit here.
