Virtual Destination Training

Southwest National Parks

Instructor: Ashley Levy

Watch the 2.5 hour recording, and explore the resources below!

Additional Resources

• US National Park Service: Types of Sites
• Map: US National Park System, Classic / Unified Regions
• US National Forests: Map, Classic / Southern Stop
• America’s Public Lands Explained
• Tribal National (Native American) Lands: Map, Original Territories
• Tribal National (Native American) Lands: Map, Current Native American Lands
• David M’s Route 66 Show & Tell Webinar
• David Beach’s Salt Lake City & Mormonism Show & Tell Webinar

Resources for YOU: Books (numbers at the end are the ISBN#)

• TripSchool National Parks, Volumes 1 & 2 – Carol Kendrick
• Prophets and Moguls, Rangers and Rogues, Bison and Bears Heather Hansen (9781594858888)
• The Wonder of It All Yosemite Conservancy (9781930238626)
• Creating the National Park Service: The Missing Years Horace M. Albright & Marian Albright Schneck (9780806131559)
• Ranger Confidential, Andrea Lankford (9780762752638)
• The Story Behind the Scenery Series
• Who Was Children’s Book Series
• Geology Unfolded Thomas H. Morris, Scott M. Ritter, Dallin P. Laycock (9780842527668)
• Landscapes of Utah’s Geologic Past Thomas H. Morris, Kinsey G. Spiel, Preston S. Cook, & Hannah M. Bonner (9780842529976)
• Notorious Jefferson County: Frontier Murder & Mayhem Carol Turner (9781596299542)

Resources for YOU: Reference Guides & Pamphlets

• US Flag Store
• America the Beautiful Annual National Park Pass – ($80 for 12 months) Purchase at any National Park that charges entrance fee or online
  Support a National Park Foundation (yearly membership, price varies) & receive a supporter card + discount at most NPS concessioner gift shops (Yellowstone Forever, Grand Canyon Conservancy, Mount Rushmore Society, etc.)
• National Park Service Information Pamphlets & Junior Ranger Booklets – Free information pamphlets found at entrance booths and Visitor’s Centers (and even online!) filled with helpful information on anything from Geology to Birds
• Trail Guides found at Trailheads or Visitor’s Centers – $1 donation to for-pay small trail guides packed with information about destinations within different National Parks
• A Pocket Naturalist Guide Series – Can be purchased at Gift Shops or online
• Nature Guide to… Various Authors, published by FalconGuides

Resources for YOU: Websites

• Official National Park Service Website
• Official U.S. Forest Service Website
• Native America Travel (Tribal Experiences) Website
• Smokey Bear
• (State) Department of Transportation – Bookmark the road conditions pages and download the smartphone apps
• The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (Ken Burns) companion website
• PBS’ American Experience: The American West Category (documentaries and films)
• PBS’ American Experience (documentary and film transcripts) Click the film or collection of interest, then look for the “transcript” tab!
• Smithsonian Channel: Aerial America

Resources for you: DVDs & TV Series

• The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (Ken Burns) Smithsonian Channel: Aerial America
• PBS’ American Experience: The American West Category Deserts (Planet Earth)
• Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets (IMAX)
• Grand Canyon Mule Ride
• Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder (NPS)
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area & Lake Powell Zion Canyon: Treasure of the Gods (IMAX)
• Bryce Canyon: Shadows of Time (IMAX)
• Traces in Time: An Exploration of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
• Salt Lake City: A Downtown Story (YouTube, 28 minutes)
• John Wayne Films! Stagecoach or She Who Wore a Yellow Ribbon Monument Valley: Navajo Homeland
• Welcome to Moab: Moab Information Center Theater Film Arches: Window in Time (NPS)
• Spirit of the Mountains (RMNP)
• Garden of the Gods (Colorado Experience, YouTube, 27 minutes)

Resources for YOU & your guests: Applications & References

• National Park Service Official Apps for Smartphone/Tablet – Most allow you to download the information to your device for use in “offline” mode. This means you can GPS locate yourself within the Park without cell service.
• Official National Park Service Maps & Pamphlets – Ask for these at the entrance gate, download them from online and show on the coach screen, or let guests know they can be acquired at any Visitor’s Center.
• National Park Newspaper – For Parks that offer it, these might be offered to you at the entrance gates or they can be acquired at any Visitor’s Center.
• State Highway Road Maps – These can be found at Rest Stops and State Welcome Centers along your route.
• PeakVisor – You can download regions to offline mode and learn what various mountains & peaks are along the way.
• My Altitude – There’s always that ONE guest that wants to know what the altitude is ALL the time. Download an Altitude app and make it easy! (iPhone or Android)
• Postcards! A great memory and resource for information. Buy information-packed ones for you and scenic ones with one tidbit for your guests.
• Laminate your resource ones and pass them around on the coach.