National Parks - The Place to Be for Family Fun
Photo of Rocky Mountain National Park
 

The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to kick-off the upcoming travel season with many new and exciting adventures awaiting park visitors, as well as traditional programs that families come back time and again to enjoy. From the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the warm beaches of California national parks offer something for everyone.
NPS Director Mary Bomar said, “These magnificent places pay homage to our ancestors and inspire our children to become better stewards of the parks for tomorrow. National parks have the power to stir our souls, reinvigorate our spirit, and renew our commitment. They provide incredible opportunities to experience the marvelous natural and cultural heritage of our country. I welcome you to our parks.”

The National Park Service has developed and made available a web site to help inform visitors about what’s new in national parks this year. Learn about the many park events, activities, and new facilities that have been planned or are available for the upcoming travel season. Visit the “National Parks: The Place to be for Family Fun” website at: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/parks2007/index.htm to learn more about what’s happening in national parks across the country. The National Park Service always recommends stopping by the park’s visitor center to get the latest, most up-to-date park information. In addition, NPS reminds visitors that safety is critical, and hikers should stay on marked trails and let family members and/or friends know their whereabouts. Remember to dress appropriately for the elements and activities you are going to engage in, and it’s always best to have plenty of water on hand. Parks Rangers are easily recognizable in their distinctive green and gray uniforms. Ask questions…that’s what they are there for!

Southwest National Park Family Fun Guide

ARIZONA:
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, Ganado AZ: http://www.nps.gov/hutr/
Photo of Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site courtesy National Park Service

Native American Art Auction, August 25: The Friends of Hubbell Trading Post NHS, Inc. and the Western National Parks Association will host a Native American Art auctions for Hubbell Trading Post NHS.  The auction will include both contemporary and antique Navajo weavings, Pueblo Katsina dolls, pottery, paintings, carvings and baskets from many tribes. The auction is held outdoors in a big tent. For more information about this event, contact the park at (928) 755-3475, http://www.nps.gov/hutr/

Petrified Forest National Park, AZ: www.nps.gov/pefo Photo of Petrified Forest National Park
Art and Essay Contest, October: Starting in October, students will have the opportunity to compete in both an art and essay contest. Prizes will be given and students’ work will be displayed throughout December. Visit www.nps.gov/pefo for more information or call the Division of Interpretation and Education at (928) 524-6228 ext.264.
Petrified Forest’s 101^st Anniversary, December 8-9: Celebrating the establishment of the park as a national monument 101 years ago on December 8, 1906 and its upgrade to national park status 45 years ago on December 9, 1962.

CALIFORNIA:
Channel Islands National Park, Ventura CA: http://www.nps.gov/chis/
Photo of Channel Islands National Park courtesy National Park Service
Guided Hikes on the Islands, Everyday: On days that the concessionaire boats run to the islands, guided hikes are offered by rangers or concessionaire naturalists. Guided hike locations, distances and departure times will be announced after arrival on the island during visitor orientation. For more information, contact the park at (805) 658-5730.
Tidepool Talk, Every Sunday and Saturday: 11:00 am to 11:30 am, and 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm. Join national park rangers in the visitor center as they show and tell about the many fascinating animals and plants in the marine life exhibit.  For more information, contact the park at (850) 658-5730.

COLORADO:
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, La Junta CO: http://www.nps.gov/beol/  
Living History Encampment, June 9 – 10: Visit the 1840s with teachers, students and living history volunteers and staff perfecting their 19^th century skills.  The encampment, which begins June 7, trains participants in presenting living history to the public.  Event is open for the public to view ongoing demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 – 10.  Pre-registration is required for the full encampment (participation is limited).  For information, call (719) 383-5023.

 Kids’ Quarters, July 14: Seven to eleven year-old children are invited to “step back in time” and experience the life of a trapper, trader, laborer, craftsman, Indian or soldier.  Kids learn and practice 19^th century skills and experience living history for themselves.  Registration is required; for application materials call (719) 383-5026.

 Santa Fe Trail Encampment, October 6 – 7: The park’s main living history event again takes place in the fall, and this year celebrates the traders, tribes and travelers associated with the Santa Fe Trail.  Their camps, set up near the fort, will be open for touring.  All together over 60 living history volunteers bring the post back to life during this major event!  For more information, call (719) 383-5023.

 Holiday Celebration, December 7 – 8: Witness for yourself the joys, pleasures and pastimes of the 1840s at an isolated trading post.  The spirit of the season comes alive with wagon rides, games, toy making and other holiday festivities.  The event begins Friday evening December 7 with candlelight tours of the fort and continues all through Saturday, December 8 culminating with another evening of candlelight tours.  For reservations for the evening tours, phone (719) 383-5026 after October 16, 2007. 

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Mosca CO: http://www.nps.gov/grsa/
Photo of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve courtesy National Park Service
Castles, Kites, and Concert, June 30: Sponsored by Friends of the Dunes and open to everyone. Spend a day at the dunes building sand castles at the edge of Medano Creek, flying your kites, and enjoying the beauty of the Great Sand Dunes.   Friends of the Dunes members participate for free; a small registration fee is charged for non-members. Awards are presented for best sand sculptures. The venue for both the sand sculptures and kite flying is along Medano Creek near the main dunes parking area.  A free concert by a local musician or musical group will be offered at the amphitheater, starting at 7 p.m.  For more information, call 719-378-6399.

Rocky Mountain National Park - Estes Park & Grand Lake, CO: http://www.nps.gov/romo/  
Photo of Rocky Mountain National Park at top of page
John Denver Tribute Concert, August 18: Concert will benefit Rocky Mountain National Park's Next Generation Fund (youth education). Stanley Park Fairgrounds, Estes Park, CO. The second annual benefit concert sponsored by Rocky Mountain Nature Association will raise funds for educational programming in Rocky Mountain National Park through a celebration of the music of environmentalist John Denver.  Call (970) 586-3262 for additional information on the concert and to purchase tickets.

NEW MEXICO:
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad NM: http://www.nps.gov/cave/
Photo of Carlsbad Caverns National Park courtesy National Park Service
Celebration of the Night Star Party, July 13: To coincide with the New Moon, 2007’s Celebration of the Night star party will begin the evening of July 13 and continue into the early morning hours of July 14. The park’s location high on a ridge top in the Chihuahuan Desert far away from city lights makes it the perfect place to view the stars. In addition to the annual Celebration of the Night, the park also conducts other star parties throughout the year. For more information, contact the park at (505) 785-3097.
50th Annual Bat Flight Breakfast, July 28: Over a thousand visitors each summer evening watch as several hundred thousand bats exit the cave each night. The Bat Flight Breakfast began in 1957 as a way to encourage visitors to see the bats’ morning return flight. Before entering the cave in the morning, the bats circle several hundred feet overhead and then dive in clusters into the cave entrance. Unlike the shorter nighttime exodus out of the cave when the bats spiral up and leave the cave, the sunrise return to the cave normally spans several hours. Breakfast is served at 5 a.m. and is $7 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.

UTAH:
Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey UT: http://www.nps.gov/care/
Photo of Capitol Reef National Park courtesy National Park Service

Archeology Day Camp, June 24-27
Kids Frontier Days, September 17-20