The National Parks system was created by Theodore Roosevelt during his presidency to ensure that all Americans have the ability to experience the beauty of America’s open spaces without being marred by commercial development, regardless of whether the area contains natural resources. or not. For Roosevelt, the ability to see an intact United States was more important than the money that would be made by the corporations developing the areas. Some of the most beautiful and scenic areas on earth were protected by his policies, and generations of people had the opportunity to explore them as they wished.
Millions of tourists visit our National Parks each year, and many do so simply by driving their car into the area and exploring once they reach the limits of the park boundaries. What many don’t understand is that resources are limited for these areas, and while there is money budgeted every year, resources are scarce as funds must be allocated for maintenance, staffing, and many other projects. Many National Parks have almost no facilities, few restrooms and areas that can provide shelter, food or water. What this means is that those who visit our National Parks must respect them for what they are, undeveloped areas where you are basically on your own. If you get lost, need medical attention, or run out of food and water, it’s very likely that you’ll have little or no access to help. Also, many of these open spaces have almost no cell coverage or GPS connections. Every year people get lost and injured in our parks because they assumed there was more access to the facilities.
One of the wisest choices that can be made regarding the exploration of our National Parks is to participate in a guided tour. There are many companies that specialize in providing tours of these areas that will not only allow you to explore the spaces the way you want, but will also provide you with the knowledge of the area that will keep you safe. An added benefit is intimate knowledge of the parks and what to look for, plus not having to drive to the park. Guided tour benefits allow you to experience areas like Bryce National Park, the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and Monument Valley in a way you probably didn’t expect.
