National Park Week: How to bask in nature's glory from home
This coming week is a big one for Mother Earth.
For one, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day is coming up on April 22. This milestone also happens to coincide with National Park Week, which runs April 18 - 26. While this year's celebrations will look a bit different with many parks and campgrounds closed and social distancing rules in places, the celebrations aren't completely called off — they're just more digitally focused.
Sign up for TPG's daily email newsletter for more travel tips delivered to your inbox
So while you may not be able to pay a visit to your favorite park in person just yet, here's a round up of a few other ways you can celebrate from home.
Visit a park virtually
There are a few virtual tour options when it comes to the National Parks.
For an interactive learning experience, take a Park Ranger led tour through Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. This tour is hosted by country singer, Dierks Bently. The cool part about this experience is that you can actually get a 360-degree view of the park thanks to the use of a 360 camera.
If you just want to sit back and admire a National Park site, tune into one of the many live webcams. For instance, you can check out the cherry blossoms on the National Mall's bloom cam, watch Old Faithful erupt at Yellowstone or see what's happening under the sea on the Channel Islands' live cam.
Plan for a future trip
Just because travel is on a temporary hold doesn't mean that you can't dream and plan for a future trip. If you're thinking of exploring a national park once this is all over but can't decide which one take this quiz to get park recommendations based off your preferences and location.
Related: 5 epic road trips across America
If you're planning a road trip with the family, be sure to read our guide to family-friendly national parks. And if you want to check more than one off your list this year, you'll definitely want to consider the annual park pass.
Share your favorite National Park memory
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx5IyKbFBBE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The NPS is encouraging visitors to share their favorite national park memories, experiences and goals on social media using one of these hashtags: #NationalParkWeek, #FindYourVirtualPark, and #FindYourPark.
After all, we could all use some outdoor inspiration on lighten our timelines.
Donate to the National Park Service
There are a few different ways you can help the National Park Service. The most obvious is donating directly to the National Park Foundation, where donations will go toward protecting and up keep of the parks. This can be done as a one-time donation or you can opt to do it monthly. Regardless of which option you choose, Nature Valley will match donations until April 30, up to $250,000.
You can also contribute to the NPS by buying merch through the gift shop. You can buy an array of practical items such as custom playing cards or a reusable water bottle.
To learn about more ways you can help, check out the NPS donations page.
Celebrate Earth Day
Be sure to carve some time to spend outside and get some fresh air on Wednesday, April 22 in celebration of Earth Day. The holiday is meant "for everyone to discover and enjoy the physical and psychological benefits that come with spending time outdoors," according to the NPS. And I think it's safe to say that we all have a much greater appreciation for the outdoors after spending so much time indoors.
If you are able to visit a national park, be aware that staffing is limited so practice being a steward and follow the NPS principle of "Leave No Trace."
Create your own outdoor experience
For some this may mean creating a living room fort and for others heading out to the backyard for a bonfire with the family — or even backyard camping. Either way, this can be a fun activity to do, especially for families.
Take it from TPG's Richard Kerr, who took his kids camping in the backyard. It just goes to show that there's always a way to turn lemons into lemonade.
Featured photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.