It’s National Park Week and no one is more thankful than us for our public lands.
Best known as “America’s Greatest Idea,” our national park system is the crown jewel of our public land system. So, why not give it a holiday?! Oh wait — we did.
It’s National Park Week, a nine-day celebration stretching from April 20-28, 2024, designed to celebrate all things national parks. If you were on the ball, you hopefully snagged free admission to your nearest national park on April 20. But if you didn’t, don’t sweat it. There are five other days in 2024 where you can gain free entrance to national parks:
- January 15 for Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday
- June 19 for Juneteenth
- August 4 for the anniversary of the Great Outdoors Act
- September 28: National Public Land’s Day
- November 11: Veteran’s Day
The National Park System (NPS) truly is a benchmark of what is possible with public lands, so it’s no surprise that our parks are booming. That’s why some national parks are starting to use timed entries to help mitigate the crowds and hustle. These are entirely separate from the standard entrance fees and usually come with their own fees to make the reservation, so keep that in mind if you’re visiting on one of the free days mentioned above.
In 2024, there are four major parks that will be using timed entries: Arches National Park in Utah, Glacier National Park in Montana, Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park and Washington’s Mt. Rainier National Park. The latter is trying timed entries for the first time based on an increased number of visitors, according to their press release.
Timed entry or not, we’re big believers in the NPS and support all the park system does for the preservation of our wild spaces. Luckily, supporting the parks and the organizations that look after them is easier than ever thanks to a huge selection of charitable products. In honor of this week, we’ve rounded up a few gifts you can purchase with proceeds benefiting the NPS. It’s National Park Week, folks — let’s do this.
Gifts That Give Back
- Eco-Fleece Blanket from Sierra Club
- Retro Crew Socks from Parks Project
- Old Faithful Soap from Caswell-Massey
- Charity Pot Lotion from Lush
- Retro Clay Mug from Sierra Club
- Smokey Bear Apperal from The Landmark Project
- Group Trips with the National Parks Conservation Association
Eco-Fleece Blanket from the Sierra Club
Whether you’re going to lie down and stargaze at Big Bend or have a picnic at Cuyahoga Valley, a good sturdy blanket is always a useful travel accessory. The Sierra Club’s eco-fleece blanket is made with an ultra-soft polar fleece that’s comprised of 50% recycled materials. It also comes with a handy carrying strap so it’s easy to bring along on your journey, whether it’s an afternoon hike, an overnight camping adventure, or a road trip.
Proceeds benefit the Sierra Club, America’s oldest nonprofit dedicated to sustainability, protecting wildlands, and environmental education.
Retro Crew Socks from Parks Project
Parks Project is a brand that’s exploded in popularity lately. The company is a Certified B Corp. (meaning they adhere to a strict environmental and ethical code of business) and they donate a portion of all sales to our National Parks. Plus, their products are colorful, fun, and extremely cool.
Their retro crew socks are no exception. Contrasting colors and a retro vibe give them a good dose of style and personality. Lace ’em up with Chucks or show ’em off in your low-top Blazers. Best of all, the socks are made from 75% organic cotton and thanks to a bit of polyester and spandex, they’re super soft and have a bit of stretch.
A portion of every Parks Projects sale goes to nonprofits across America like the Conservation Corps and the National Parks Foundation
Old Faithful Soap from Caswell-Massey
A trip to Yellowstone might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most Americans, but luckily you can have the Yellowstone experience every day in your shower with Caswell-Massey’s Old Faithful Soap. The soapmakers took scents from the park, like pinesmoke, sagebrush, and blue lupine, and blended them together creating an earthy, woodsy scent.
The soap is cruelty-free and made in the USA. Proceeds from the soap benefit Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit dedicated to sustainability, conservation, and environmental education within Yellowstone.
Charity Pot Lotion from Lush
Lush is a huge brand around the world, known for their dedication to natural products and its cruelty-free promise, ingredient transparency, and philanthropic philosophy. Their Charity Pot lotion truly walks the walk by donating 100% of the price (minus tax) to grassroots nonprofits that work towards environmental sustainability, animal protection, and human rights.
As someone who uses Charity Pot, I can tell you firsthand that this stuff is thick and rich and if you get dry hands like me, it’s an absolute lifesaver. Made with cocoa butter, rosewood oil, and ylang-ylang, it’s also extremely soothing and good for anyone with sensitive skin.
To date, Charity Pot has raised over $69 million for more than 13,000 charities around the world.
Retro Clay Mug from the Sierra Club
Embrace the outdoors while you sip your morning coffee with the Sierra Club’s retro ceramic mug. 100% toxin-free and microwave-safe, the mug is thick and has an awesome retro logo that gives some heavy 70s vibes. Classic and classy, this mug is the perfect way to make your morning coffee (or afternoon tea) a victory for nature.
Proceeds benefit the Sierra Club, America’s oldest nonprofit dedicated to sustainability, protecting wildlands, and environmental education.
Smokey Bear Collection from The Landmark Collection
Look, we all love Smokey. He’s an American icon and all he’s ever wanted was to keep us safe. What’s not to love? The Landmark Collection has released a whole array of Smokey Bear apparel, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, and even kids’ options. With great nostalgic designs that harken back to old-school travel postcards, the entire collection looks awesome. The collection is also sustainably made using Better Cotton (BCI) and recycled polyester.
10% of the proceeds from the Smokey Bear collection goes to the US Forest Service’s Wildfire Prevention Education Fund.
Book a trip with the National Parks Conservation Association
If you’re ready for a splurge, why not book an adventure with the National Parks Conservation Association? These group trips give you a more in-depth experience throughout America’s National Parks, whether you’re hiking the Kenai Fjords, visiting Hawaii’s volcanoes, or snorkeling through the reefs of American Samoa.
Each itinerary is different, but they’re all guided by NPCA experts and naturalists to provide a closer look at local wildlife and flora. With these trips, you’re not only supporting our National Parks, but you’re also exploring and enjoying them. Sierra Club also offers outings if you’re looking for even more options.
Proceeds benefit the National Parks Conservation Association, which fights for our National Parks on the legal and political level.
Seen in: Gear, Lifestyle, National Parks, News
