There aren’t many national parks as iconic, or as breathtakingly beautiful, as Yellowstone. From Old Faithful and Mount Washburn to towering waterfalls, pristine forests, and fascinating wildlife, Yellowstone National Park is overflowing with must-see sights and experiences.
But the world’s first national park, like so many other national parks around the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, is suffering. Many of you may be wondering, is Yellowstone National Park open? Unfortunately, the answer is no — the park is closed until further notice.
As a result, National Park Week 2020, which runs from April 18 to 26, is going to have a very different feel to previous years. The good news is that there’s still plenty you can do to help support Yellowstone National Park and the parks you love right around the country. Here are five of the best ways to show your love for Yellowstone.
Socialize!
No one said celebrating National Park Week had to be hard work. One of the simplest ways you can show your support is by spreading the word on social media.
How can you up your National Park Week social game? You could jump on Twitter to share your favorite Yellowstone National Park memory, like that gorgeous September day when you hiked up Mount Washburn. Maybe your Facebook friends would like to hear your tips on how to plan the perfect visit to Yellowstone — where to go, what to do, and why. Or maybe you’d rather use your Instagram account to let some of your favorite pictures of Yellowstone tell a story no amount of words could (#nofilter).
Best of all, you can do any of these without even having to get off your couch.
Make a donation
There are more than 400 national park sites in the U.S., protecting over 80 million acres of important landscapes, ecosystems, and American history. That’s a lot of territory to maintain, so why not show your support by making a donation?
You can donate directly to Yellowstone National Park, or make a contribution to the National Park Foundation. This national parks charity helps the National Park Service protect sacred places right around the country, and even a small, one-off donation can make a big difference.
Take a virtual tour
In these times of social distancing and temporary park closures, those national park outdoor experiences we all love are a little out of reach. But while it’s not possible to immerse yourself in the beauty of Yellowstone National Park physically at the moment, you can do so virtually.
As part of National Park Week 2020 celebrations, outdoor enthusiasts are being encouraged to pay a digital visit to the parks they love. If you’re yearning for Yellowstone, you can take a virtual tour of Fort Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the Upper Geyser Basin, to name a few.
The videos, sounds, and photographs available are the next best thing to actually being there, and the perfect inspiration to plan your next Yellowstone National Park RV rental adventure.
Splash out on some merch
Another way to show your passion for the outdoors this National Park Week is to buy a special gift for yourself or for someone you love. The National Park Foundation stocks a huge range of merchandise in its online gift shop, including everything from calendars and clothing to tote bags and water bottles, with profits going to support America’s national parks and programs.
For a wider range of products and accessories, fill your cart with goodies from National Park Geek or Parks Project. These businesses support non-profit groups focused on protecting national parks and public lands, so the money you spend goes to a good home. Whether you want a sticker featuring Yellowstone’s iconic bison or this Yellowstone sweatshirt, it’s easy to show your love for your favorite national park.
Get back to nature
In a perfect world, you’d spend National Park Week immersing yourself in the beauty and wonder of Yellowstone. But while that’s not an available option, there’s no reason why you can’t still celebrate the restorative power of nature.
This Park Rx Day (April 25), prescribe yourself a dose of the great outdoors. Depending on where you live and your personal circumstances, this could mean admiring nature from the window, in your backyard, or around your local neighborhood. It might mean taking the dog for a walk, going for a bike ride, or treating the kids to a #GoingOnABearHunt adventure. You may even want to start work on that garden you’ve been meaning to plant for months.
Sometimes even a tiny dose of nature can be the best medicine. It can lift your mood, remind you what you love about the great outdoors, and whet your appetite for your next national park adventure.
Team Outdoorsy is here to help you along your journey. If you have questions or concerns about your upcoming RV rental, give us a call at 1-877-723-7232, send us an email, or start a chat. And for a continuously updated list of frequently asked COVID-19 questions relating to RV travel, visit our FAQ page.
