20 in 2020: The Thanksgiving List

Sunrises over picturesque landscapes, like this canyon of Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park, are just one thing to be thankful for this year.

Jamie Howard

Thanksgiving looks different for many of us this year: less travel, smaller groups, more Zoom calls. One thing stays the same though – taking time to appreciate what we have. So here’s our list of 20 things we’re thankful for this year. What would you add to this list?

1. Wildlife – National parks offer unparalleled opportunities to watch wildlife. Birds, otters, and bison are fascinating, and watching wildlife is both exciting and relaxing at the same time. Check out our tips for watching wildlife.
2. Camping opportunities – You can camp any time of the year, and breathing fresh air and disconnecting from devices are so good for us!
3. Time on the trails – Walking, running, biking, (even snorkeling!) on trails is so much fun.
4. Invasive Plant Management Teams – The dedicated people on the IPMTs work hard to rid our beautiful parks of harmful invasive plants.
5. Peaceful places – There’s nothing like a quiet spot to soothe mind and body.
6. Starry skies – We love looking up at the night sky and getting lost in the Milky Way, always a source of inspiration.
7. Clean water – For drinking, for healthy ecosystems, water is the foundation of life.
8. Clean air – Take a deep breath. We work hard to monitor the air quality in parks.
9. Pollinators – More than 75 percent of the Earth's flowering plants depend on bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and other pollinators.
10. Our national mammal – Bison are majestic symbols of our shared history.
11. Dinosaur bones! – Pretty much every child goes through a dinosaur phase. Why? Because they’re awesome!
12. Cool sounds – Frogs, birds, and thunderstorms are some of the first sounds that come to mind. But national parks are home to many other natural and cultural sounds as well, such as singing sands, insects, and alligators. Explore our sounds gallery.
13. Helpful rangers – Some host fireside chats, some answer questions in visitor centers, some do search and rescues operations; they’re all superstars.
14. Volunteers in Parks – The most important VIPs! They make our special places even better.
15. Cool geology that teaches us about Earth’s 4.5 billion-year history.
16. Protected endangered species – some at-risk species are only found in parks.
17. Scenic vistas – While breathtaking in person, you can also explore the amazing views in national parks virtually.
18. Scientists – Scientists help us understand our world. How else would we know Mammoth Cave has ancient shark teeth in it?
19. Oceans – They’re teeming with life, and recreational opportunities are basically endless.
20. Public lands, but specifically national parks of course! We’ll always think of them as America’s Best Idea!