It had been a long hike for little legs.
We were in Glacier National Park and had hiked one of the park’s famous hikes to a glacial lake—nearly five miles. My son, Matt, was eight; his sister, Reggie, six, and our baby, Melanie, a toddler. She complained after so long in a backpack on her dad’s back that her legs were “broken.”
Still the kids were proud of their accomplishment and so were we, admiring the scenery. As a result of its topography and the heavy amounts of snow that fall during the winter, Glacier National Park is home to 762 lakes and many of the trails in the park lead to or end at the lake.
Then, inexplicably, Matt pushed Reggie into the ice cold water. She was furious. We didn’t know what to say. The only response was for Matt to have a timeout right there at the edge of the lake in one of the most beautiful spots in the world.
National Park Week, April 22 through April 30, is a nine-day celebration of everything “parks.” Entrance fees will be waived on April 22, 2023, to kick off the celebration and to encourage everyone to enjoy their national parks in person. National Park Service parks, programs, and partners will host events and activities all week. Follow National Park Week on social media and join the fun all week using #NationalParkWeek.
This year the theme is “Your Park Story” and the National Park Service is inviting you to share a special memory or experience you have had in one of the nation’s more than 400 national parks. Follow on social media using #YourParkStory and share your own using #MyParkStory – like this one that my family still tells nearly three decades later.
I like to think all of our national parks trips—from camping in Acadia National Park in Maine to hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and braking for bears and moose in Grand Teton (where we had a karma moment with a famous grizzly and her cubs during the pandemic). Yellowstone NP encouraged my kids as adults to love the outdoors and to be good stewards of the environment. My Kids Guides to Acadia National Park and Great Smoky Mountain National Park can help you navigate.
