Today is Earth Day, and this week is National Parks Week. It’s a great time to visit any of the more than 400 national parks and monuments in this country.
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All week there are special theme days, such as National Junior Day, during which kids can earn junior ranger badges. National parks are offering instructional events including setting up a tent, building a campfire and marking trails. Other activities include scavenger hunts, wildlife bingo and other outdoor fun.
Coinciding with National Parks Week, Google Earth released a virtual tour of 31 of the country’s national parks. Google Earth is delivering the most beautiful spots of the national parks as well as capturing some of the most remote areas you probably wouldn’t even see if you visited the parks. If you can’t get to the national parks or if you want a preview for an upcoming trip, this Google Earth feature is perfect.
National Parks Week started with a day of free admission, but don’t worry if you missed it. There are still three more opportunities to see any of the parks for free. Free admission is also offered Aug. 25 (National Park Service Birthday), Sept. 12 (National Public Lands Day) and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day).
— John Wroblewski, online writer
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