Introduction to Outdoor Trips

One way to get exercise is to take advantage of the many parks across the country. There are national parks, state parks and local parks, each with something different to offer.

The National Park System is comprised of 378 areas covering more than 83 million acres in 49 states, the District of Columbia and all territories. These areas, combined with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , the Federal Fish and Wildlife Services, Bureau of Land Management , and all state parks provide more than 400 million acres to visit and enjoy. All these sites have much to offer and are great places to discover the benefits of outdoor recreation.

To make your trip a truly enjoyable leisure experience, it is important to gather some information. If you have access to the Internet, this can provide a good place to begin. For example, the National Park Service has a Web page for each of its sites. Other agencies also provide this service, including national forests, national wilderness areas and state parks.

What to Ask Before You Go

The following questions are designed to help you in planning your next trip to a public outdoor recreation area:

• Visitation - When is an area the most and least crowded? What programs are being offered at various times of the year and during the days you are planning to visit?
• Operating hours - Most parks are open year-round (except major holidays) but some areas within each park may have special hours.
  
• Climate - What is the recommended clothing for the time of the year you plan on visiting?
  
• Directions - Ask for directions to the park or other areas and to specific points within the park.
  
• Transportation - Find out about parking at campsite visitor centers; inquire if there are shuttle services available.
  
• Fees, costs, rates - Because public lands are managed by so many different agencies, always find out if there is an entrance fee. If you plan on using campgrounds or special services and concessions, call and find out about any fees. Some of these areas require reservations several months in advance.
  
• Facilities and opportunities - Many of the outdoor recreation areas managed by federal and state agencies have amenities such as visitor centers, trails, roads, special programs, lodging options, and activities specific to that facility. Find out which of these amenities are available and ask about accessibility for each. Remember to use specific language in your questions if you want specific answers.
  
• Accessibility information - Most of the information is located at the visitor center. Some parks and recreation areas have Web sites, which provide a good place to start. We encourage you to call ahead and inquire about specifics at each location you plan on visiting.
  
• Other information - Inquire about recommended activities, reservations, permits, special events programs, and adjacent visitor attractions.

Additional Questions to Consider

• Does the park have tactile maps for visitors who are blind or have visual impairments? 
• Are listening systems or captioning available for visitors who are deaf or have hearing impairments? 
• Are facilities equipped with accessible restrooms for visitors with mobility impairments? 
• Are interpretative programs available for people with your specific disability? 
• Are sign-language interpreters available? 
• Are trails labeled to assist you in identifying which are most appropriate for you?

These are some examples of the type of questions you need to ask. Remember to be very specific in your questions -- it will only make your visit more enjoyable.

Public lands are for everyone. By having the answers to some of these questions before you arrive, you will be better able to enjoy yourself while you are there.

Note

The information provided here is offered as a service only. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, University of Illinois at Chicago, the National Center on Accessibility, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago do not formally recommend or endorse the equipment listed. As with any products or services, consumers should investigate and determine on their own which equipment best fits their needs and budget.

National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
http://www.ncpad.org
ncpad@uic.edu
(800) 900-8086 (voice and TTY)
(312) 355-4058 (facsimile)

Organizations

1. National Center on Accessibility (NCA) :
   Bloomington , Indiana
2. National Park Service :
   Washington , District of Columbia
3. Bureau of Land Management :
   Washington , District of Columbia
4. American Trails :
   Redding , California
5. L.L. Bean :
   Freeport , Maine

Suppliers

1. Campmor Equipment and Clothing :
   Upper Saddle River , New Jersey
2. L.L. Bean :
   Freeport , Maine

Books

1. Roth, W. & Tompane, M. (1992). Easy Access to National Parks. San Franscisco, CA: Sierra Club Books.

This fact sheet was last updated on 12-20-2005.

Disclaimer