We all need friends. And for the National Park System, there are some great friends groups out there. From Acadia to Zion and everywhere in between, friends groups work year-round to bring a “margin of excellence” to their namesake parks.

Well, at least that’s the way it used to be. These days, with inadequate Congressional funding, friends groups are finding themselves underwriting operational needs, from trail maintenance and visitor center rehabilitations to radio systems and facility maintenance and even resurrection.

Just look around the park system. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is raising millions of dollars to rehabilitate places like Flat Top Manor and the Bluffs restaurant. Yosemite Conservancy dollars have gone to help the National Park Service rehab the Mariposa Grove of Sequoias and will help with a much-needed update to the Bridalveil Fall area of Yosemite National Park and even trail maintenance at Tenaya Lake.

These are not always the projects friends groups want to fund. They’d much rather focus on that margin of excellence for a park. And it’s a delicate line, as Congress could decide it doesn’t have to invest so much in the parks because friends groups will step up.

In this issue we take a look at what friends groups are being asked to fund and what their executive directors think of this turn of events. Photojournalist Colleen Miniuk-Sperry also outlines a fun three-day visit to Acadia National Park. Sure, you should spend more time there, but it’s always good to start with a game plan and build around it.

With summer quickly approaching, you can get details on camping in the park system from Kristen Pope with her story, and learn from Patrick Cone whether an RV, or perhaps a pickup camper, is a great choice for exploring the parks.

And before you put the issue down, read about staying safe in the parks this summer. National parks truly are incredible places for your vacation, but you can jeopardize your safety if you’re not aware of what to watch out for or get too carefree.