National Park Foundation and Merrell Announce 10 Can't Miss National Park Hikes to Discover This Summer

National Park Foundation and Merrell also Launch "Trail Talk" featuring Interviews and Tips From National Park Rangers Around the Country at www.nationalparks.org/trailtalk.

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In honor of National Trails Day, the National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America's national parks, has teamed up with Merrell to invite Americans across the country to enjoy 10 can't miss trails in our national parks.  

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To further encourage Americans to get out and explore their national parks, NPF and Merrell will launch an interactive interview series with national park rangers entitled “Trail Talk,” which will be found at www.nationalparks.org/trailtalk beginning Monday, June 13.

The public is invited to submit questions for the Trail Talk series via the NPF and Merrell Facebook pages on the following dates:  Thursday, June 2; Thursday, June 16; Thursday, June 30; Thursday, July 14; Thursday, July 28; Thursday, August 11 and Thursday, August 25.  The NPF and Merrell Facebook pages are www.facebook.com/nationalpark and www.facebook.com/merrell, respectively.

Ten can't miss national park trails to discover this summer are:

1.  Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Painted Desert Rim Trail, 1 mile round trip

Trail winds through the rim woodland and offers opportunities to see many species of plants and animals and spectacular views.

2.  Yosemite National Park, California

Wapama Falls, 5 miles round trip

This trail takes you to the base of Wapama Falls, passing two smaller waterfalls (during spring) on the way. This is also a good trail for wildflowers in spring.

3.  Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado

Rim Rock Nature Trail, 1 mile round trip

This self-guided nature trail takes you along a relatively flat path following the rim of the canyon. Along this sunny route you will encounter a variety of plant life from sagebrush and Gambel oak to pinyon pine and Utah juniper. This trail allows many excellent views of the Gunnison River as well as the sheer walls of the canyon.

4.  Canaveral National Seashore, Florida

Turtle Mound Trail, .3 miles

Hike to the top of a 35 foot high Native American Mound which has two viewing areas.

5.  Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Georgia

General Bragg Trail, 5 miles

Experience history where it happened while viewing the Georgia Regimental Monuments, Strahl's Brigade Tablet, General Bragg's Headquarters Monument, among others.

6.  White Sands National Park, New Mexico

Interdune Boardwalk, 650 yards round trip

Fully wheelchair and stroller accessible. This is the best place to get a close look at many of the wildflowers that grow here while protecting the park's resources.

7.  Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota

Canyons Trail, 3.5 mile loop trail

This trail provides an opportunity to become more familiar with the surface resources and geologic features at the monument. Lithograph Canyon, Hell Canyon, the limestone cliffs, ponderosa pine forest, deer, wildflowers, birds and bats are just a few of the things you'll see.

8.  Big Bend National Park, Texas

Dog Canyon Trail, 4 miles round trip

This medium-difficulty trail offers a glimpse into a narrow canyon cut between massive layers of limestone.

9.  Great Smokey Mountains, Tennessee

Andrews Bald Trail, 3.5 miles round trip

The hike climbs almost 900 feet to Andrews Bald, the highest bald in the Smokies at 5,920 feet. Enjoy breath taking, panoramic views of the southern Smokies.

10. Acadia National Park, Maine

Ocean Path Trail, 4 miles round trip

Enjoy sand beaches and sea cliffs.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

You are the owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured landscapes, ecosystems, and historic sites -- all protected in America's nearly 400 national parks.  Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks.  We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow. 

Join us – This is Your Land. www.nationalparks.org

FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/nationalpark

TWITTER http://twitter.com/goparks

ABOUT MERRELL

Merrell's mission is to inspire the outdoor athlete in everyone by aligning its "Let's Get Outside" brand to increase outdoor participation with running and adventure races, festivals and other community events to increase outdoor participation. By partnering with events such as the Oyster Racing Series, the Down & Dirty Mud Run, the Naked Foot 5K, Outdoor Nation, food and wine festivals and the Mountain Jam Music Festival, all representing a similar inclusive outdoor ethos, Merrell is working to inspire more people to get outside and live outdoor lifestyles. Once you're out there, Merrell provides the shoes and clothing to keep you going in full comfort and performance. Merrell is also a partner and proud supporter of our Public Lands through its affiliations with the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day and National Park Foundation. These synergized partnerships aim to make our natural playgrounds more visible and accessible in an effort to inspire more people to get outside and enjoy their natural resources.  Merrell is part of Wolverine Worldwide's Outdoor Group that also includes Chaco and Patagonia Footwear.

FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/merrell

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/merrelloutside

Contact: Alanna Sobel, National Park Foundation, [email protected], (202) 354-6480

SOURCE National Park Foundation