Park Guide Book - Introduction Welcome to the 3rd edition of Bink Ink’s National Park So in this “land of opportunity” how is it that these stunning Guide Book! The Binkele family has long been advocates of environments we call our National Parks managed to escape privatization? How is it that we the citizens of the USA came to own a stake in over 84 million acres of public land covering over our country’s National Parks.th From the very first experience I 400 park locations? had camping along the Merced River in Yosemite in the ‘50’s, to the recent visit of our 57 park - Voyageurs in Minnesota - our The story of our park system begins with the people who had family has held a deep appreciation and respect for those who the vision, the passion, and the dedication to contribute to the made and continue to make these visits possible. creation, protection and preservation of our country’s “best idea.” Famous people and many people unknown. Rich people, In 2013, an idea developed to blend our passion for the parks poor people and people in between. Politicians, businessmen, with our son Charlie’sTrekking artistic the creativity National and Parks™ board. game design naturalists, scientists and soldiers. We owe this debt of gratitude ability. Thus became the genesis for the tabletop board game to the many folks who generously contributed their time, energy we created called and resources to help set aside these treasured lands for the Park Guide Book world to experience. An important component of the original game was the 32 page educate - a collection of information about each of Yet the future of our parks rests in the hands of our children. our country’s 59 major Nationalinspire them Parks. to The get intentout and of visit the Guidethese It will be up to the next several generations whether America amazingBook was natural to help cathedrals. players about the parks as they continues to embrace these treasures as those in the past have played the game and to anddone. future One ofgenerations the prime motivatingabout the incredible factors behind resources the creation that have of our game and this Guide Book has been to help educate current Following its first printing, we received an overwhelmingly been set aside for all to enjoy. We hope you share our desire to positive response regarding the Park Guide Book, which encourage all Americans to become stewards for the continued prompted us to create this expanded and more comprehensive Aboutprotection the andNew preservation Park Guide ofBook our country’s National Parks. landmarks.edition. Throughout the pages that follow, you will experience a tantalizing glimpse of each of our nation’s 59 precious The Story of our Parks. Whether playing the game or actually visiting the parks, the purpose of this Guide Book is help broaden your understanding about each of these landmarks and to enrich the player or visitor The National Parks as we know them today have evolved experience – whether trekking to a park on the game board or over the past 140+ years to become some of the world’s most in the family car! While playing the game, pick up the Guide treasured landscapes. They provide visitors with extraordinary Book and read about the parks you are pursuing! When visiting recreational resources. They are geological, biological and the parks, use the Guide Book to help you explore these natural ecological classrooms. They are spiritual cathedrals that help wonders. us reconnect to the world of nature. Much of the information contained in this Guide Book comes In every park we’ve visited, we encounter Americans and from the first hand experiences we’ve had while trekking about environments.foreigners alike who are fascinated and thrilled that this additionaleach of the information) parks we’ve visited. We’ve also drawn on a number nation had the foresight to protect and preserve these amazing of other resources to help create this booklet. (See pg. 63 for However, along the time line from the birth of the first park The Park Guide Book contains an alphabetical listing of each of in 1872 to the present day, our parks continue to experience our country’s 59 major National Parks. The information on each many challenges. Logging companies, mining interests, real page of the Guide Book will vary from park to park; however, the estate speculators, railroads, politicians and the privileged few common threads in each section include the following: have all clamored to stake their claim on these precious lands. The Park. must be considered a unique natural, cultural or recreational resource. To qualify as one of America’s 59 National Parks, it factors contributing The opening to segmentits status of as each a National page will Park. provide the reader with the key features, unique elements and qualifying Getting there : Not all parks are accessible by automobile! Several of the parks are located on islands. Two of them lie above the Arctic Circle and have no roads leading into them! When this section appears, it will help you understand where the John Muir Stephen Mather Theodore Roosevelt park is located and how to get there. When to go : For most of the parks, the summer months are Table of Contents typically “high season” attracting the largest crowds. This section will help you determine the best time of year for you to visit. Introduction ...........................2 Joshua Tree What to do: Acadia Katmai Every park contains a myriad of activities. This ..........................36 regardingsegment will Day highlight Hikes since the ouractivities game offeredand our once treks you about reach these American.......................................4 Samoa ...................................37 your park destination. Much of this segment offers information Arches ...................5 Kenai Fjords .........................38 fabulous landscapes included many of them! Badlands......................................6 Kings Canyon .......................39 As much as we like trekking about the parks, these incredible Big Bend ..................................7 Kobuk Valley.........................40 landscapes are perfect for downshifting from the hectic pace of city life. Slow down and savor their serenity. Biscayne Lake Clark Where to stay: ..................................8 .............................41 ..................................9 Lassen Volcanic ...................42 Here you will find information regarding camping and lodging options once you arrive. Black Canyon Mammoth Cave Wildlife .......................10 ...................43 Bryce Canyon Mesa Verde : Protection and preservation of wildlife is an important .......................11 ...........................44 matter at every park. This section highlights the animals you may Canyonlands ........................12 Mount Rainier......................45 encounter while visiting the park. Trivia: Capitol Reef ..........................13 North Cascades ...................46 This section is meant to offer interesting, yet lesser- Carlsbad Caverns Olympic known facts about the park. ................14 .................................47 Experience These! Channel Islands ..................15 PetrifiedPinnacles Forest ...................48 At the bottom of each page, you’ll find a Congaree checklist of things to do that we recommend you consider when ...............................16 ...............................49 visiting a park. Most of these come from activities we did while Crater Lake ...........................17 Redwood ...............................50 exploring the 57 parks we’ve visited. Check them off as you Note:complete The each Experience activity These!and add your own experiences as well! Cuyahoga Valley ..................18 RockySaguaro Mountain ..................51 Denali Sequoia Check List is designed for the Death Valley .........................19 .................................52 average park visitor and includes only a few activities rated Dry Tortugas Shenandoah “strenuous.” Visitor Centers. We encourage you to .....................................20 .................................53 Everglades ............................22........................21 .........................54 Many parks offer several stop by at least one during your stay and learn more about the Theodore Roosevelt ...........55 park you’re at! Gates of the Arctic ..............23 Virgin Islands ......................56 To all of our friends, family and supporters of the game and our Glacier Voyageurs country’s National Parks, we wish to thank you for contributing ...................................24 .............................57 to this project and to the continued preservation of our park Glacier Bay ...........................25 Wind Cave.............................58 system. Your contribution to its success is heartfelt and Johnappreciated. Binkele Thank you and happy trails! Grand Canyon ......................26 Wrangell-Saint Elias...........59 Grand Teton .........................27 Yellowstone ..........................60 Great Basin ...........................28 YosemiteZion ................................61 Great Sand Dunes ...............29 ........................................62 Great Smoky Mountains....30 Rx for Health & Acknowledgements ...........63 GuadalupeHaleakala Mountains .......31 ..............................32 Hawaii Volcanoes................33 2017 Park Guide Book Hot Springs ..........................34 created by Bink Ink LLC Isle Royale ............................35 Acadia Maine - Est. Feb 26,