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Happy Birthday, National Park Service!
What better way for a classic car enthusiast to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our National Park Service than with 10 favorite drives through 10 national parks – and the 10 classic cars to drive them? In our new infographic, match the classic car with the scenic drive for a celebratory road trip (don’t worry, we give you hints). Test your knowledge and share it with friends.
Yellowstone – America’s First National Park
The United States starts preserving America’s natural landmarks in 1872 when President Theodore Roosevelt designates the Yellowstone wilderness as the first National Park. Forty-four years later President Woodrow Wilson brings all of the parks, monuments, preserves, parkways and historical sites under one Federal umbrella, the National Park Service.
59 National Parks Showcase Our Country’s Natural Beauty
Today, 450 parks are spread throughout the 50 states, Washington D.C, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands. Fifty-nine are National Parks; the largest is the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska that encompasses 13.2 million acres.
307 Million National Park Visitors in 2015
In 2015, over 307 million people visited our national parks. The most visited is the Great Smoky Mountain National Park with over 10 million annually. Visitors are greeted by 22,000 full time National Park Service staff members, who are assisted by 250,000 volunteers.
Check for Limited Car Traffic in Parks
Though many National Parks have begun limiting the amount of inside traffic to help protect the environment, a great classic car cruise is still possible. Plan your trips to locations like Arcadia National Park in Maine or Olympic National Park in Washington State and include surrounding areas for spectacular scenic drives.
Take the Road Less Traveled
Less traveled routes through National Parks have much to offer. Head along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to experience incredible vistas and plenty of places to stop that you won’t find on the more popular South Rim road. The trip around the Canyon from the South to the North Rim is four hours, so you may have to pick one.
(Nicholas Courtney/ www.shutterstock.com)
Visit More Than One National Park
Many parks can be combined into a multi-day adventure, such as the “Mighty 5” in Utah – Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Leave time to branch off onto the cruise-worthy Kolob Canyon Road and witness a fiery orange sunset melt into the red canyons below. Another popular drive is U.S. 89, which connects Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park (via U.S. 26), Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon.
Keep America Rolling – Cruise a National Park
Our infographic lists a few of the scenic and awe-inspiring parks we are fortunate to have in our country. Visiting National Parks is a classic summer cruise, so visit one of these incredible locations or head to a park near you. Especially this summer, celebrate our country, our cars and our national parks in true red, white and blue fashion. Keep it rolling America!
Collector and Classic Car Insurance for Less
While taking a road trip to one of our National Parks, protect your classic or collector car with customizable coverage from Classic Auto Insurance. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will answer all your questions and find the perfect policy for your needs. Visit our website at www.classicins.com and see how we can help safeguard your dream car.
