How relevant are national parks to the American public? Back in 2014, then-Park Service Director Jon Jarvis raised that question in a conversation, explaining that “the challenges that we’re facing on a variety of fronts are symptoms, to me, of a waning relevancy to the American people.” That comment arose as we discussed Congress’s collective shoulder shrug over issues facing the National Park Service.

Then, in 2015 during the lead up to National Park Service Centennial, a record 307.2 million visited the National Park System, followed by nearly 331 million during the centennial year of 2016. Relevancy? From a numbers standpoint, that concern seems to have been overcome.

But has it? Do sheer numbers reflect that more people are truly interested in coming to the National Park System to marvel at their wonders, learn about the nation’s collective culture, to relax? Or do they reflect a desire by travelers to crisscross the country and document as many places they can visit, regardless of what those places reflect or represent?

It’s one thing to snap a selfie in front of Old Faithful and then depart for another in front of the Grand Teton, and quite another to soak up some of the history that explains why parks were set aside, to study wildlife on the landscape and appreciate their relationships to one another and to the landscape, to come to learn who Enos Mills and Marjory Stoneman Douglas were and the roles they played in the parks.

Unfortunately, to date the Park Service hasn't embarked on a path to measure "relevancy" among the system's visitors.

This question of relevancy is one we’ll continue to explore, for only if park visitors find relevance in the National Park System will they hold it dear and advocate for it. While you, too, ponder the relevancy of the parks, save some time to explore them this winter.

In the pages of our Essential Park Guide Winter 2017-18 we hope to entice you with suggestions on how to enjoy the park system in the coming months. On those long winter nights when you can’t be in a national park, planning next summer’s adventures might be the next best thing. Rita Beamish on page 22 entices you to consider a long walk with her travels along the John Muir Trail last summer, and we’ve added a supplement to her story to help you navigate a long-distance hike of your own, whether on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail or, perhaps, the North Country National Scenic Trail.

We have also, of course, provided some book reviews to inspire you to get out into the park system, and included an update on what some of the national parks’ best friends are doing to benefit these wondrous places. Stay warm this winter, and stay inspired by visiting your favorite park!

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