It can be a shock to look out at the vast beauty of Zion National Park and spot a giant home built right in the middle of the scenic canyon landscapes that make this part of the country so iconic and inspirational.

Fortunately, one plot of land will be saved from this kind of inappropriate development. Earlier this month, Zion received an important gift: a 30-acre “inholding”—private property that is completely surrounded by park land—that will be donated to the National Park Service, thanks to an anonymous benefactor. Had the generous donor not secured this piece of land, it could have been sold to a private landowner who would have potentially built one or more trophy mansions there, spoiling the scenic and pristine beauty that draws nearly three million visitors to the park each year. There are plenty of scenic locations available in Utah for private homes, but inside a national park, especially one as prized for its unique beauty as Zion, should not be one.

Unfortunately, this single action does not save Zion, or dozens of other national parks across the nation, from inappropriate development. Already, expanded developments and at least one trophy home have been built on inholdings inside Zion, and other landowners are looking to liquidate private land inside the park.

Preventing these properties from being purchased by developers more interested in cashing in on the location than preserving the larger integrity of places like Zion was a primary reason the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was first created by Congress in 1965. The LWCF is a bipartisan commitment to set aside $900 million each year from offshore oil and gas drilling revenues—a fraction of the royalties collected—to invest in land and water conservation. Specifically, the fund is used to purchase land to protect national parks and other public lands from development, and to provide matching grants for state and local parks and recreation projects. These purchases, which are made at market prices with willing sellers, preserve the beauty and integrity of national parks and other treasured publicly owned places, which in turn attract visitors and power local and state economies. These purchases can ensure public access, facilitate or improve recreational opportunities, reduce threats from invasive species and fire, and otherwise act as a critical tool for land protection.

But for years Congress has diverted LWCF funds for other uses, leaving national parks in jeopardy. Due to this lack of funding, the National Park Service is not able to protect the nearly 12,000 private inholdings inside national park units across the country. And while there are some people out there, like the donor for the Zion land, that are able to help with specific pieces of property, there are nowhere near enough private donations to protect all of the properties from construction of luxury homes or other developments.

As the National Park System nears its 100th anniversary in 2016, it is an ideal time to restore the parks to their peak glory and to make sure they have the tools and funding in place to preserve them for generations of Americans to come. This means making sure there are enough LWCF funds to secure some of the many properties that are endangered.

In the nearly 50 years since LWCF was established, Congress has only fully funded it at $900 million once, and in the past ten years Congress dedicated less than 30 percent of the dollars promised to federal and state land acquisition while diverting $6.36 billion for other purposes. All of this is despite 88 percent of the American public supporting the use of LWCF funds to preserve our national parks, forests, and open spaces. In the 2013 budget, the Obama Administration proposed LWCF funding at $450 million while the U.S. House of Representatives proposed only $66 million in its budget—which, if approved, would be the lowest level in the history of LWCF.   

While we pause to celebrate the power of one person to make a tangible difference to protect the stunning beauty of Zion, we also know it will take a commitment of Congress to protect lands like this in the future. Want to make sure important programs like LWCF continue to receive funding? Take action by telling your members of Congress to support funding for LWCF.

Of course, if you’re looking for a really special experience, you can also travel with NPCA through our ParkScapes program. Check out more on our website.

Dog-Watching, Denali National Park, Alaska
Joan Frankevich, Alaska Regional Office Program Manager

Whenever I’m in Denali, I like to stop by the park’s kennel, near mile 3 of the park road, and visit the sled dogs. This is a unique opportunity—the only national park in America with working sled dogs. Historically, park rangers used dog teams to patrol the park and deter poachers. Today, sled dogs are used for work projects in wilderness areas, such as hauling materials to repair remote cabins. In summer, visitors can tour the historic kennel buildings, visit the dogs, and learn about the importance of sled dogs to Denali. Rangers give presentations and demonstrate a team in action by using a sled with wheels on a gravel path.

For me, visiting the park kennel is also a reminder of my first winter in Alaska, spent as a kennel volunteer more than 25 years ago.  My memories are fond, even though learning to mush dogs was so much harder than I anticipated. My intelligent lead dog, Mike, was all too happy to take advantage of my inexperience. He was well-trained to keep the line taut, but with me he would stop and lift his leg as he pleased, resulting in a tangled mess of dogs and lines. However once I learned how to mush, I had some stunning experiences traveling through Denali in winter. Mike is long since gone, but when I’m in the park, I remember him and am glad that the cultural tradition of dog sledding remains alive in Denali.

Hiking the Obstruction Point to Deer Park Trail, Olympic National Park, Washington
David G. Graves, Northwest Regional Office Program Manager

After reaching the Olympic Peninsula and the visitor center in Port Angeles, visitors can take the road up to Hurricane Ridge. On a clear day, the mountains of Olympic National Park stretch out across the horizon—the view encompasses more than 10 major peaks, including Mt. Olympus at 7,980 feet above sea level. At the top of Hurricane Ridge, some visitors may enjoy a short hike near Klahhane Ridge or Hurricane Hill, but for those who are able and willing, the 7.4 mile one-way trail from Obstruction Point to Deer Park Trail is the real jewel to explore. It’s not easy getting to Obstruction Point or Deer Park. The unimproved gravel road from the Hurricane Ridge parking area to Obstruction Point is steep, rocky, and only open a few months each year, and RVs and trailers are definitely not allowed. The road to Deer Park isn’t much better—it’s also a steep, narrow, gravel road. But the trail is well worth it. The highest trail in the park, it is surprisingly mellow, starting at 6,000 feet and only losing 700 feet over the 7.4 miles. The views of the peaks are even more spectacular than from Hurricane Ridge, and visitors can sit on a cliff ledge and observe the river valleys several hundreds of feet below. You cross near Elk Mountain, Maiden Peak, and Green Mountain, which are interspersed by wind-swept meadows and the aptly named Roaring Winds Camp. It’s unlikely you’ll see many people out on this trail since leaving a car at either end is extremely difficult, but even if you only go out a few miles and turn back, it’s well worth exploring this magnificent ridgeline trail with stunning views.

Hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah
Scott Kirkwood, Editor-in-Chief of National Parks magazine
Note: Be sure to check the the river conditions and bring proper gear before attempting this hike. If in doubt, call the Zion Canyon Visitor Center at (435) 772-0170.

To me, no hike compares to the Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah. That’s because it isn’t like any other hike I’ve been on—it’s more like a walk through a riverbed. The Virgin River carved a spectacular gorge through the upper portions of Zion Canyon—16 miles long, up to 2,000 feet deep—and from spring to fall, thousands of people walk much of its length and enjoy amazing views. Canyon walls are on either side, and the dramatic views change with every few steps. Stop by Zion Adventures in nearby Springdale and ask about the river’s conditions and what sort of gear you’ll need. I hiked the Narrows in September, when the water level ranged anywhere from ankle-deep to waist-deep. Water temps were warm enough that I needed only my hiking boots and a walking stick, but you can rent neoprene socks and other gear if the conditions require it. I packed a snack, stowed my camera inside two water-proof bags and I was off for a four-hour round-trip hike, joining dozens of other hikers who were smiling along the way, like little kids splashing around in a neighborhood stream on a summer afternoon.  

Want more info? Visit the NPS site: http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/the-narrows.htm.

Biking Gold Medal Park to Minnehaha Falls to Pike Island, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Minnesota
Christine Goepfert, Upper Midwest Program Manager

As a city-dweller, I like to get away to wide-open spaces, but I can’t always find the time. Luckily, I have a national park in my backyard. The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a 72-mile stretch of the mighty Mississippi that cuts right through Minneapolis, where I live. On a nice summer day, this iconic American river is only a bus or bike ride away. Given that Minneapolis is one of the nation’s most bike-friendly cities, there are lots of designated routes for biking to the river.

My first stop is Gold Medal Park, a great picnic spot along the river on West River Parkway. From there you can stroll through Mills Ruins Park, site of 19th-century ruins that were once mills powered by St. Anthony Falls. Not far away is the Stone Arch Bridge, with its 23 arches made of native granite and limestone, which spans the river below the falls and is a reminder of our nation’s railroad era. As you cross the bridge, you get a great view of the river, the falls, and the city, as well as a working lock and dam! In that same area along the Mississippi’s banks, I can grab a meal, take in a play at the world-renowned Guthrie Theater, or visit the Mill City Museum, which celebrates Minneapolis’ history of flour milling.

If I continue south on the River Parkway, which is part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, there are lots of bird-watching spots, where I might even catch a glimpse of the majestic bald eagle. Once I reach Minnehaha Falls, I am usually ready for a cold refreshment at my favorite spot, the Sea Salt Restaurant, where I can listen to the falls and, if I’m lucky, live musicians. I then like to continue south along bike trails to Fort Snelling State Park and hike Pike Island, where the Mississippi meets the Minnesota River. The island is a haven for deer, wild turkeys, and other wildlife. Off the island’s banks, you’ll see folks canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on the river. You almost forget that you are in the heart of a major metropolitan area.

Birding at Fort Foote, Civil War Defenses of Washington, Washington, D.C.
Nick Lund, Civil War Associate

When the Civil War broke out, Washington D.C. was surrounded by states sympathetic to the Confederacy and found itself vulnerable to attack. President Lincoln quickly ordered the construction of a ring of earthen forts around the city, and more than 65 forts were built by the time the war was over. Today, many of these remaining forts are managed by the National Park Service as a unit called the Civil War Defenses of Washington.  I enjoy these forts for their history, of course, as well as their unique locations all over the city. I also enjoy them—in particular Fort Foote along the Potomac in Maryland—for their wilderness. Fort Foote was built on high riverside bluffs, with massive cannons aimed downriver to protect D.C. from attacking ships. One of those huge cannons still remains, and now it sits in one of the most peaceful spots in reach of the District. As a birder, I love visiting Fort Foote because the deep woods and riverside location host a remarkable variety of species, from nesting osprey to dozens of migrating songbirds. It’s a beautiful and often overlooked park—and believe me, the sound of birds singing is much nicer than cannons booming!

Hiking White Rock and Sand Cave, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Kentucky
Don Barger, Director, Southeast Regional Office
Note: This is a fairly strenuous hike recommended for experienced hikers.

Cumberland Gap offers a number of wonderful natural areas along the length of Cumberland Mountain at the junction of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. The trailhead to White Rock and Sand Cave is off of Highway 58 in Ewing, Tennessee. Turn at the only flashing traffic signal in Ewing and drive toward the mountain (with White Rocks looming in front of you); the road dead-ends at the trailhead. The trail climbs about 1,500 feet to the ridgeline of the mountain to the spectacular views of White Rocks, sheer bluffs overlooking the Tennessee Valley. Continue hiking down the Ridge Trail and you’ll reach Sand Cave–one of the most splendid sandstone features in the eastern United States. The size of the cave and the erosion patterns of the sandstone will occupy you for a while, so allow yourself the time to sit, look, and listen. Going just beyond the turnoff to the Sand Cave on the ridgeline trail will allow you to complete the 7-8 mile loop and return to your car.  This hike can be especially spectacular during the fall season.

To help celebrate National Park Week, mobile app developer Chimani has announced that it will give away one million of its ten highly rated park guides for smartphones. If you’re planning a trip to one of the nine destinations featured in Chimani’s apps, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of free detailed maps, auto tour information, hiking guides, bus schedules, and other useful planning tools, which normallly cost between $4.99 and $9.99 each. If you’re considering a trip farther off the beaten path, their general guide for national parks is also free. All are available for iPhone and Android using the links on their website.

Don’t forget, if you use an iPhone, NPCA’s own free National Park Field Guides app is a good complement to the Chimani apps, with additional information on wildlife, native plants, and major sites in 50 national parks (with additional parks and an Android version coming soon).

Safe travels, park lovers!

-Jennifer Errick, Editor, Online Communications