Welcome to my first “Know Before You Visit” post! I am creating an ongoing series to identify laws that may affect travel plans. This initial info is geared toward National Parks—and it sounds like I just scraped the surface.

Travelers will find information here applicable to specific parks, as well as general rules for all. For example, for those looking to plan a winter snowshoe excursion, check with park rangers first. Apparently snowshoeing is prohibited “in parking areas open to motor vehicle traffic, except as otherwise designated.” That is according to the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 36 CFR Sec. 2.19(a). You may need to remove the shoes, BEFORE reaching your car.

For those visiting the Homestead National Historical Park in Nebraska, you may be interested to know about the plants there. Ask a Homestead Ranger about a policy where “[e]dible plants may be gathered up to the amount that one immediate family c[an] use in one day.” Examples listed include gooseberries and rosehips. See https://www.nps.gov/home/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm

Stay tuned for more on National Parks! Future posts will be divided up as general info, or specific destinations. Note: none of the “Know Before You Visit” content constitutes legal advice.

Let’s face it, we have all seen some unique souvenirs on our travels. But what happens to them once we’re home? Will that beautiful German cuckoo clock make it out of its box?

One of my BTMs (best travel mates) will tell you—no, it won’t. If this sounds like you, consider some less expensive mementos. Photographs, for example, are a great alternative. Companies like Shutterfly and Snapfish have periodic sales, and make it easy to turn photos into useful items. If you find mouse pads and playing cards cheesy, frame a scaled landscape shot. It may be a conversation starter at your next party.