What is a National Park?

A national park is an area of land which has been determined to be worthy of preservation by a national government. The land cannot be developed for commercial use or personal use. National parks ordinarily have beautiful forests and wilderness areas which are utilized for backcountry hiking and camping.The first national park, Yellowstone National Park, was established in 1872. Worldwide, there are currently 6,555 national parks. The most visited park in America is Great Smoky Mountains National Park with an annual visitation of over 9 million people. The Grand Canyon has the second most number of visitors with over 4 million annually. The U. S. Department of Interior manages the National Parks Service (NPS) in the United States. NPS manages approximately one-fifth of the surface land in America. National Parks have been set aside for the enjoyment of people from all over the world. The National Park System received 281 million recreation visits in 2010. Park visitors spent $12.13 billion in local gateway regions (within roughly 60 miles of the park). National Park visitation spending has established 258,400 jobs in neighboring cities, $9.8 billion in labor income, and $16.6 billion in goods and services. Within the National Park Service, $1.95 billion is spent on labor income and 32,407 national park jobs. Combined with jobs in gateway regions, this brings total national park generated jobs to a total of 300,000. Visitor spending supports 43,160 jobs in restaurants and bars, 32,000 jobs in lodging sectors, 23,000 jobs in retail and wholesale trade, and 18,560 jobs in amusements. There are 58 national parks in America. National parks must be established by an act of the United States Congress. Twenty-seven states have national parks with Alaska and California having the most. We have your National Park tshirts. Check out our cool destination tees, smoky mountains tees, blue ridge mountains tees, asheville tees, mt. mitchell tees and more.

Clingmans Dome

At 6,643 feet Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. Only Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) and Mt. Craig (6,647), both located in Mt. Mitchell State Park in western North Carolina, rise higher. The observation tower on the summit of Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360 degree views of the Smokies and beyond for visitors willing to climb the steep half-mile walk to the lower at the top.

If you visit make don’t forget your Clingmans Dome t-shirt.  If you need other destination t-shirts, great smoky mountain tees or blue ridge mountain t-shirts visit our website.

Tower at Clingmans Dome

Eleven Facts About National Parks

I really found these interesting and hope you do to. One day we hope to have a full line of destination t-shirts, unique tees for all our amazing national parks in our country. In the meantime you can get our Great Smoky Mountain t-shirts or Blue Ridge Parkway tees.

1. A national park is defined as a reserve of government-owned natural or semi-natural land that is restricted from most development. Instead, it is set aside for animal and environmental protection, along with general recreation and pleasure.
2. The first national park established in the world was Yellowstone National Park in 1872.
3. The National Park System covers more than 84 million acres of land in U.S. states and territories.
4. The only state without a national park is Delaware.
5. The largest national park is the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska, which covers 13.2 million acres. The smallest is the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, which covers a scant 0.02 acres.
6. There are 394 national parks in America, which includes national monuments, seashores, recreation areas, historic sites, military parks, and battlefields.
7. In 2010, over 281 million visitors visited national parks in the United States.
8. Visitors can only reach Alaska’s Kobuk Valley National Park by foot, dogsled, or snowmobile.
9. The Everglades National Park in Florida is the only habitat in the world where both alligators and crocodiles live.
10. Over sixty percent of the endangered species in the U.S. are found in national parks.
11. The 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford, is the only president who served as a park ranger in the National Park Service. Employed in the summer of 1936 as a seasonal park ranger, he called that time as, “One of the greatest summers of my life.”

Souvenirs Shop – Unique Destination Tees Online

You’ll always have memories. No matter what you do or where you go, you’ll have a reminiscence to be looked back on later in a wave of nostalgia. However, some memories and events are worthy of more than just a neuron or two keeping track of them, they deserve some sort of a physical manifestation; a souvenir to commemorate them. Look no further for that unique souvenir, like a destination t-shirt, tourist tee from the Great Smoky Mountains or one of your favorite places located in the Blue Ridge Mountains now you can purchase online at beentheretees.com. Souvenirs make not only great reminder or can be an excellent conversation starter. Also, souvenirs can make wonderful gifts for friends and family. So if you been there, want to go there, can’t go back there now you can get your tee from there.

We have  funny t-shirts, cool t-shirts, and local t-shirts and many more.

Mount Mitchell State Park …. Naturally Wonderful

There are a few places in the world that still stand apart from the ordinary. Rising more than a mile high, surrounded by the gentle mist of low-hanging clouds, Mount Mitchell State Park is one of these extraordinary places.

In the crest of the timeworn Black Mountains lies the summit of Mount Mitchell, at an elevation 6,684 feet it is the highest point east of the Mississ

ippi. For those who ascend this mighty peak, what looms in the horizon is a feast for the eyes—breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rolling ridges and fertile valleys. Forested and forever misty, 1,946-acre Mount Mitchell State Park will provide you with some of the most tranquil moments you’ll ever experience.

After your visit  make sure you pick up a Destination t-shirt or visit our website beentheretees.com and check out our collection of Mt. Mitchell t-shirts or Blue Ridge Mountain t-shirts. We have some of the most unique tees
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Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock is the natural fulfillment of your trip to the North Carolina Mountains. Take a deep breath of refreshing mountain are, become invigorated by the hiking trails, and let your cares fade away in the cool mist of Hickory Nut Falls. This is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and spend time with family and friends. Only minutes from Lake Lure, Chimney Rock offers the best of the mountains in one place – spectacular 75 mile view, a 404-foot waterfall, a variety of events and more. Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park and is located just 25 miles southeast of Asheville, NC and 20 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Once you visit this great State Park or even before your visit make sure to get your Chimney Rock T-shirt

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Experiencing “America’s Favorite Drive”

A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other, a slow-paced relaxing drive revealing stunning long range vistas and close up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. Protecting a diversity of plants and animals, the parkway meanders for 469 miles, providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region the country so special.

Don’t forget to check out the best destination tee shirt company and purchase your Blue Ridge Parkway t-shirt which makes the perfect tourist tee.

Cades Cove (Great Smoky Mountains)

Cades Cove is the most visited part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park–and for good reason. The idyllic setting of Cades Cove is a sampler of everything the Park has to offer the Smokies visitor. Interesting Tennessee cabins, cabin rentals, and other pioneer structures dot this cove and tell the history of its early inhabitants. Wildlife is abundant. More than a dozen hiking and horseback riding trails originate in Cades Cove. The Smoky Mountains, which tower above picturesque Cades Cove, serve as guardians to the Cove’s serene beauty; and the splendor of color when Mother Nature empties her paint buckets on the Cove’s hardwoods in the fall is unmatched! If you plan to visit the Great Smoky Mountains this summer or fall make sure you visit this incredible area of the park. After your visit make sure you pick up a Destination t-shirt or visit our website and check out our collection of Smoky Mountain t-shirts or what we like to call tourist tees.

Got Bears? We do

Looking for your next tourist t-shirt with Black Bears? We may have that destination tee for you. Need an Asheville t-shirt, Blue RidgeMountaint-shirt or BlackMountainwith bears we may have the unique t-shirt for you. Check out our site today.

NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK

The Annual Salute to Travel and Tourism in America

 

The first full week of May is annually recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition first celebrated in 1984. Localized events are presented in cities, states and travel businesses nationwide to champion the power of travel. It was established as National Tourism Week when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1983 designating the week to be celebrated in May.

 

Where will you travel this summer?  What better way to remember where you have been then with a Destination Tee Shirt. So if your plans are to visit the Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains or travel the Blue Ridge Parkway what better way to celebrate those travel then with a tourist tee.