Nevada Falls, Yosemite Nat'l Park, California

Since my great migration to California from Michigan I’ve had the opportunity to visit a handful of some of the most gorgeous places in the United States–places that Americans tend to overlook–and that are in desperate need of money.

According to a recent CNN article, the Obama Administration has heard the call for cash and is investing roughly 1% of the $787 billion economic stimulus package in our 391 National Parks.  And while the $750 million dollars promised sounds like a lot, it’s a drop in the bucket when compared to the $9 billion in backlogged maintenance projects that national parks are facing.

You may be asking, “Ok, but who really cares about national parks?”  According to the National Park Service, as of the end of July 2009, attendance at the parks is up roughly 3 percent from the same time last year, according to the parks service. In 2008, nearly 275 million people visited the national parks compared to 272 million in 2006.

Part of that number, regrettably, may be from people displaced by foreclosed homes.  While on a camping trip recently a friend met a family living in a tent in Yosemite National Park because they had lost their homes and their jobs.  The entry fee and the $10/night camping fee was less, they reasoned, than any motel out there.  The sad reality is that they may not be alone.

Granted, the United States government is not allocating money to national parks to make them more homeless-friendly.  They’re investing in them.  147 of the parks (all the best ones) have an entry fee–a fee that people will be more likely to pay if they will have access to bathrooms, roads, campsites, food, and other essentials.  In addition, the stimulus cash is estimated to create 8,000 jobs over the next two years, though most will be seasonal or temporary.

Where is the money being spent?  Nearly $56 million is for Washington landmarks, which some say are in dire need of repair. More than $14.5 million is going to Mesa Verde National Park and nearly $11 million has been allocated for the Grand Canyon.

As someone who loves the outdoors, I welcome the investment so that future generations will be able to be awed by the natural beauty of our national parks and landmarks.  I’ve included some photos below of my own amazing experiences at some of these parks (click for larger images).

Manti-La Sal National Forest, Utah

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado - An American Indian village built into a cliff

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

Zion National Park, Utah

Zion National Park, Utah

Arches National Park, Utah - That's me at the bottom!

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite National Park, California

Big Sur National Park, California

Lake Tahoe, California

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California