National Park Service

Located 50 miles northwest of Baltimore, the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was the site of the largest battle ever waged during the American Civil War. Fought over the first three days of July in 1863, the Battle marked a turning point not only in the course of the war but for the future of the United States. It was here during the dedication ceremony on November 19, 1863, that President Abraham Lincoln spoke of “these honored dead...” and renewed the Union cause to reunite the war-torn nation with his most famous speech, the “Gettysburg Address.” At @gettysburgnps , the stories, relics and history are forever preserved. Have you experienced a visit to Gettysburg? Image: East Cemetery Hill at sunrise with cannon looking out at Gettysburg National Military Park. #gettysburg #gettysburgpa #pennsylvania #civilwar #nationalpark #battlefield

The Civil Rights Act turns 60 on July 2, 2024. This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. Where can you learn more about the history of civil rights and the pursuit of equality? Swipe to explore sites from @nationalparkservice and objects from @smithsonian ➡️ #CivicSeason is a new American tradition between Juneteenth and July 4, co-created by Gen Z and 500+ history museums and historic sites, to celebrate who we are as a nation, how we got here and where we want to go next. Get started at TheCivicSeason.com. Photo Credits: Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C., Warren K. Leffler, 1963. Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress. President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the 1964 Civil Rights Act as Martin Luther King, Jr., and others look on, Washington, D.C., July 2, 1964. Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum; photograph, Cecil Stoughton. Portrait of Emmett Till and Mamie Till Mobley, 1954. NAACP Records, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress

R-A-N-G-E-R-S, flat hat on with green gray clothes. Wave your hands, let’s go stroll, hike it out, you’re ready to go! Umm, it’s way too hot to go. With summer temps 99 degrees in up in many places, it’s important to hike smart. High temperatures and the risk of heat illness can happen in any national park environment whether it’s an urban, historical, mountainous, or coastal park. What can you do? 💧 Drink water often. Stay hydrated and drink before you feel thirsty. Carry at least a liter of water for every member of your group when hiking, and drink water throughout the day - not just when you feel thirsty. 💧 Rest often, and in the shade, if available. Soak yourself with water. On days with extreme heat, plan extra time to allow yourself to rest and cool off frequently during your activity. 💧 Take time to acclimate to high altitudes. Your body loses more fluids at high altitudes, increasing your risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses. 💧 Remember, running from wild animals increases heart rate, sweating, and can lead to extreme feelings of thirst. Keep calm and carry on a safe distance from any wildlife. Image: A ranger uniform on the ground next to a puddle of water @npsoklahoma . #summervibes #summertime #beattheheat #travel #nationalparks #melting

Don’t mind us, just dune-scrolling, again… You don’t like sand? Thanks, Anakin. For those that do, put that phone away, after you finishing swiping, go outdoors and experience the dunes for real! Did you know for several national parks, the standout features are sand dunes? From California to Indiana, and New Mexico to Michigan, you can explore dunes, get sand everywhere, and explore majestic sandy environments of all types. Have you visited a park with dunes? You’re still finding sand? Image 1: @greatsandunesnps NPS/Myers Image 2: @whitesandsnps Photo by Ching Fu () Image 3: @indianadunesnps Image 4: @deathvalleynps Image 5: @sleepingbearnps #dunes #sand #summer #sandy #sanddunes #dune #travel #nationalparks

This week, on the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a new visitor center opened its doors at 51 Christopher Street in Greenwich Village. In 2022, Pride Live, a nonprofit partner to the National Park Service, secured the property and brought this visitor center to life. The visitor center will provide a space for an enhanced visitor experience for those seeking to learn more about the historic movement for LGBTQ+ equality and the role of @stonewallnps . Image: Exterior view of Stonewall National Monument visitor center on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, NY. #Stonewall #Pride #nationalparks #nyc #newyorkcity

Sploot happens… Ah, the sploot. Wait, what? A sploot is when an animal sprawls out, usually face down, with arms and legs spread out to the four winds. Why the sploot? Why not? Well, a sploot is great for an all-body stretch. It can also be a comfortable position that may help lower body temperature when sprawled out on a cool surface. Either way, it’s a splooty mcsploot masterclass in flexibility and split-legged lounging. May the sploot be with you. Images: Sploots on parade. Bears, squirrels, a turtle, and a marmot show off their flexibility in various sploots. #sploot #nationalparks #summer #cool #splooting

Teddy Roosevelt’s long lost pocket watch makes timely return! TICK-tock TICK-tock! A historic silver pocket watch, missing for 37 years, has finally returned to Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. This invaluable presidential timepiece, which traveled the world with Theodore Roosevelt, from his charge up San Juan Hill, down the Amazon River, and during his time as the 26th U. S. President, went missing in 1987 after being stolen while on loan in Buffalo, New York. It was recently recovered by special agents from @specialagent_nps , with assistance from the FBI. Beginning today, the watch will be featured in an exclusive exhibit (we’re thinking it’s secured) at the Old Orchard Museum, part of Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, and available for free public viewing. Learn more at: nps.gov/aboutus/news/news-releases Images: Theodore Roosevelt’s silver pocket watch, given to him as a gift from his sister Corrine and brother-in-law Douglas Robinson, in May 1898 @sagamorehillnhs . NPS/Wickersty #watch #time #timepiece #pocketwatch #theodoreroosevelt #teddyroosevelt #sagamorehill #newyork #clock

Poetry in parks, from coast to coast. ✨ The first three poetry installations in national parks as part of U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón’s signature project have been unveiled! “You Are Here: Poetry in the Parks” will bring public art installations to seven parks by the end of the year, and you can now find them at Cape Cod National Seashore, Mount Rainier National Park and Redwood National and State Parks! Learn how you can participate in #YouAreHerePoetry by visiting loc.gov/poetry. Photos by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress

Yeah, I’m into fitness. Fitness whole salmon in my mouth.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Do you like to eat? Do you like to sleep? Do you need to gain weight by the end of summer? Then get hyperphagic and follow the Katmai bear diet and exercise program. ⁣⁣ Step 1: Gorge on raw salmon for one hour. ⁣⁣ Step 2: Sleep on a beach for two to three hours. ⁣⁣ Step 3: Repeat. Need some inspiration? Check out the live bear cams at explore.org! Image: A bear with a fish in its mouth at Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alaska. NPS #summervibes #bear #alaska #fishing #katmai #nationalparks #summerseason

First rule of hydrate club: Stay hydrated. Second rule of hydrate club: Tell everyone you know about hydrate club. Third rule of hydrate club: Just a minute, need a bathroom break. Summer is here, which means increasingly high temperatures and humidity. While the heat may allow for more time outdoors, it can also increase your risk for dehydration and related illnesses. Stay hydrated and drink before you feel thirsty. The amount of water you need may increase if you are doing a strenuous activity. Bring enough water to drink with you for the duration of your trip. When in a park, make sure to locate areas where you can access drinking water along your trip route. Learn more ways to #BeatTheHeat at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/heat-illness.htm Image 1: A ranger holding up a water bottle at @dinosaurnps Image 2: A ranger shows off a water bottle at @reconstructionnps . Image 3: A ranger giving a thumbs up next to a water fountain @nationalmallnps . Image 4: A ranger @nationalmallnps encouraging visitors to stay hydrated. #NationalHydrationDay #summer #summervibes #hydrate #nationalparks #beattheheat

It’s hot squirrel summer. ☀️   These temperatures are nuts! Many national parks are under a heat advisory. Be prepared for the high temperatures during your park visit.   Plan for the heat. Pack plenty of water, salty snacks and sun protection. Check the weather forecast and park websites for any alerts. Avoid the heat of the day and plan to start your activity before 10 am or after 4 pm.   Image: A ground squirrel @denalinps propped up on its hind legs to show off its squirrelish figure. NPS/Mesner #summerseason #summervibes #summertime #beattheheat #travel #nationalpark 🐿️

By believing in yourself and acting responsibly, you can achieve great things while also protecting the natural world. You can also cut down on hospital bills and excessive government paperwork. You did what? Where? Sounds like a win-win-win situation to us, which in the end, means we all win. Image: Screenshot of NPS tweet with text, “Believe in yourself like visitors who believe they can pet a bison.” #motivation #believe #travel #nationalparks #wildlifesafety