With Southern Utah University officially trademarked as the “University of the ParksTM” and back to defend its title in the Outdoor Nation challenge, there is no better time for a free day in Utah’s parks than now.
Sept. 30 is National Public Lands Day, coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation and sponsored by Toyota Motor North America. It’s a day filled with plenty of opportunities to volunteer to help beautify public lands, and free admittance to many National Parks and other public lands.
Events within 100 miles of the 84720 zip code include: Kanab Community Trail System Cleanup, Whitmore Canyon Overlook Cleanup, Gold Butte National Monument Graffiti Removal, Frisco Kilns Surveying, Shurtz Canyon Trailhead Construction and Trail Building, Filmore’s Garbage Bingo Fun-Run and Keeping the Beauty of Cedar Breaks. To find more volunteering options around you, visit the National Environmental Education Foundation website.
Public lands in Utah that will be fee-free for the day are: Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Golden Spike National Historic Site, Natural Bridges National Monument and Zion National Park.
To get active in the parks during the free day, stop by SUU Outdoors’ Basecamp to rent gear and get tips on how to use it. The outdoors center has everything you could possibly need for a day outside, including paddle boards, inflatable kayaks, canyoneering and climbing shoes, bikes and much more.
No matter what form of involvement chosen for Public Lands Day, don’t forget to log hours for the Outdoor Nation Challenge through their app found in the Apple app store or Google play store.
Story By
Haleigh Clemens
sportseditor@suunews.com
