Hey there, fellow sky chasers! Let's talk about one of the most fun aspects of exploring our beloved national parks – collecting souvenirs. Now, when I first dipped my toes into the world of national parks back in 2021, I decided I'd go all in and gather some goodies along the way. And boy, have I gone all in over 30 parks later.
Everything I collect from a park
First on my treasure hunt list: the infamous park stamp. If you've been following my national park escapades through my blog, you'll know I always stress the importance of getting your stamp at the visitor center. These ink stamps are like a traveler's international passport stamp but for our awesome parks. They're like a little record of each park visit, a mini time capsule, if you will. This stamping tradition, known as the Passport program, kicked off in 1986 to help us explorers discover the wonders hidden in America's national parks. The best part? These stamps are totally free and can be found at most national park areas. They'll mark down the park's name and the date of your visit, serving as your personal adventure log.
This stamp program is run by the good folks at Eastern National, a non-profit that operates bookstores in many park locations. They've even put together a nifty "passport book" with a park map and sections to collect all those stamps based on the region the park calls home. Trust me, getting a stamp is like capturing a piece of your journey. And if you're into even more eye candy, the Passport to Your National Parks program releases a set of ten collector sticker stamps every year, featuring stunning photos and descriptions of one park per region to place in your book. You can snag these stamps at all 425 ranger stations across the United States park service.
Now, as you adventure into each national park, the ticketing station or visitor center almost always hands you a map. They're not just helpful, they make for fantastic collectibles – once you've, you know, actually used them to explore!
But wait, there's more! When I stop at the national park stores, I always grab a sticker, patch, and postcard. I'm not saying I'm obsessed, but I may have laminated those postcards and turned my wall into a national park shrine. The patches? Well, they're destined for a future quilt or bag. As for the stickers, they've started to find a home on my goose gear drawers in my rig – a little piece of park love wherever I go. If I am feeling extra adventurous I'll even purchase a pin from my favorite parks.
So, fellow explorers, if you're planning a national park adventure, don't forget to embrace the fun side of collecting! Whether it's stamps, stickers, patches, or pins, these little treasures will remind you of the incredible journey you've had in the great outdoors. Happy collecting, and may your backpacks be ever full of memories!
Onto the next sky!
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