The Fourth of July, representing the celebration of the United States Independence, is often celebrated by getting out-of-doors.
National Parks across the United States have been gearing up for the heavy travel load of tourists, especially as the 4th falls on a Tuesday this year, it is most likely people are taking four day weekends.
At Zion National Park, it is expected that as many as 30,000 people per day could be visiting the park. Due to the heat wave in the Southwest, park rangers are preparing to inform tourists to drink lots of water and stay in the shade when possible. Park Rangers also stated that visitors should expect to wait for a shuttle into the park, even if they get to the park first thing in the morning. While the park offers more frequent pick-ups in Springdale and the Park, starting at 6 a.m. and departing at 9:15 p.m., there still may be a lot of waiting around in the heat before you can enter the park.
Park Ranger John Marciano stated,
“Preparing for hot conditions, and practicing good ‘heat safety’ will help visitors have a more enjoyable experience in the Park this summer. Plan your hike in the Park to avoid the hottest part of the day. Seek shade when possible, and use sun screen to protect skin. Hydrate before you come to the park and continue to drink plenty of water all day. Keep in mind your personal abilities when choosing which hikes you want to take and listen to your body while you are out there."
Yosemite National Park also expects to see a spike in tourist visits. The park made a statement saying:
A great way to avoid parking challenges in Yosemite Valley is to park your vehicle outside Yosemite National Park and ride the Yosemite Area Regional Transit (YARTS) buses into Yosemite Valley. YARTS picks up passengers at multiple locations, including along Highway 140 (from Merced), along Highway 120 (from Sonora and Mammoth Lakes), and along Highway 41 (beginning in Fresno). YARTS buses provide multiple drop-off locations throughout the park and in Yosemite Valley. Once visitors are in Yosemite Valley, they can enjoy the free shuttle throughout the valley or simply walk, to enjoy many of park’s most famous sites and destinations. Visit www.yarts.com for more information.
Almost all parks are forbidding fireworks due to the dry weather and fire potential. Check your local park's website at www.nps.org or https://www.fs.usda.gov before traveling to determine conditions.
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