Experience America's Best Idea: National Park Getaways this week features Lava Beds National Monument

Every week the National Park Service features one of the properties under their jurisdiction, and this week's park, Lava Beds National Monument is "Tucked in the shadow of the Cascade volcanic range . . . is a land of tranquility and solitude built on a history of turmoil and destruction." writes Patrick Taylor, lead interpreter for the park.

The largest volcano in the Cascade range, Medicine Lake, erupted hundreds of times over thousands of years pouring lava from more than 200 vents and flowing through hundreds of lava tubes, the cataclysmic events forming the volcanic playground that makes up the park today.

Today you can explore these now cooled lava tubes, caves, and the now frozen-in-time red-hot lava eruptions that spread out across the park. At Captain Jack's stronghold you can visit where the Modoc Chief - though outnumbered by 10 to 1 - held off the US Army in the middle of winter for five months during the Indian Wars of 1872-1873.

"Despite the apparent isolation of Lava Beds National Monument, people have dwelt here for millennia." Taylor continues. "For more than 10,000 years, humans have lived in the area, from ancient peoples, to the Modoc, to settlers and homesteaders. Evidence of these peoples can be found throughout the monument, such as ancient carvings at Petroglyph Point, paintings at Symbol Bridge, and the writings and litter of early explorers like J.D. Howard."

World famous birding hotspot, Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is also nearby, and an easy day trip from the park's campground, where you can see thousands of migrating ducks, geese, and other birds.

To learn more visit the Lava Beds website.

National Parks to offer free admission on nine days in 2014

WASHINGTON – Circle the dates on the calendar and plan your trip – America’s 401 national parks will offer free admission on nine days in 2014, including several holidays!

The 2014 entrance fee-free days are:

·        January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

·        February 15-17: Presidents Day weekend

·        April 19-20: National Park Week’s opening weekend

·        August 25: National Park Service’s 98^th birthday

·        September 27: National Public Lands Day

·        November 11: Veterans Day

“America’s national parks welcome more than 280 million visitors a year. To say thanks for that support and invite every American to visit these treasures that they own, we are declaring nine days of free admission next year,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “Whether it’s that once-in-a-lifetime family trip to Yellowstone or taking a daily walk along the National Mall in Washington, D.C., or the moment at Central High School that your child suddenly understands what civil rights are all about, national parks offer places for unforgettable experiences.

“National parks not only protect and preserve the places we most value; they also add enormous economic value to nearby communities and the entire nation.  Visitor spending represents a $30 billion annual benefit to the national economy and supports more than 250,000 jobs,” said Jarvis. “Fee-free days are a great way to both thank those visitors and introduce parks to first-timers who can find a new place to call an old favorite.”

With more than 84 million acres of spectacular scenery, 17,000 miles of trails, 5,000 miles of shoreline, 27,000 historic and prehistoric structures, and 100 million museum items and an infinite number of authentic American stories to tell, national parks offer something for every taste.

Those in search of superlatives will find them in national parks including the country’s highest point (in Denali National Park) and lowest point (in Death Valley National Park), deepest lake (Crater Lake National Park), longest cave (Mammoth Cave National Park), tallest trees (Redwood National Park), and highest waterfall (Yosemite National Park).

Normally, 133 national parks charge an entrance fee that ranges from $3 to $25. The entrance fee waiver does not cover amenity or user fees for things like camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

Other Federal land management agencies that will offer fee-free days in 2014 are:  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Forest Service and the Army Corps of Engineers.  Please contact each for details.

The National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service also participate in the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass and Federal Recreational Lands Pass programs. These passes provide access to more than 2,000 national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, grasslands, and other federal lands. Four passes are available:

·        free annual pass to current military members and their dependents

·        free lifetime pass for people with permanent disabilities

·        $10 lifetime senior pass for those aged 62 and over

·        $80 annual pass for the general public.

 Click here for more information.