The Unspoken Rules Of Reading National And State Park Plaques, Per Samantha Brown

In 2024, over 331 million visitors set foot in one of America's national parks in order to enjoy the scenic beauty and historic significance of these natural treasures. This number reflects a 2% overall increase compared with the previous year. It's extraordinary to observe this trend as more people spend time outdoors to appreciate these important sites, and they're even discovering some underrated parks that are just as gorgeous but not as crowded. Of course, these increasing numbers also mean one thing: Everyone is standing in front of you when you're trying to read the park plaque. Fortunately, Samantha Brown, beloved travel expert and television host, has come to the rescue with a few pieces of plaque-reading etiquette to keep in mind. It all comes down to being aware of your surroundings and being prepared with a few essentials before you even leave the house.

On her Instagram page, Brown stands in Custer State Park — a great destination for romantic adventures — with an impressive plaque prominently displayed over her shoulder. The warm sunshine and clear skies indicate that "it's officially plaque reading season!" As a frequent world traveler, she has discovered tricks to help her manage all kinds of challenges, and this situation is no exception. She begins by explaining her number one rule: "Don't hog the plaque." That's right, if you notice that other people are trying to read the plaque at the same time, take a few steps to the side and share the experience with them.

Samantha Brown continues her etiquette tips by offering a bit of advice to fellow travelers over 40 years old: Always bring your reading glasses! Of course this could apply to anyone who needs glasses, and it may not seem necessary if you're going on a hike outdoors, but as she points out, "You never know when you're going to encounter a plaque." It's sage advice for anyone who has been caught unprepared when a significant plaque appears during a park visit. It's simply too risky to assume that the rest of the crowd will be willing to accommodate your need to stand directly in front of the sign, in the prime reading position, to get a good look at the words. (And besides — this would violate rule number one!)

Brown's last piece of advice is also very practical: bring sunscreen. However, Brown is advocating for this protection on the back of your neck. Why is that? Well, of course, this is the area that's often exposed to the sun when you're reading a plaque. "There's the farmer's tan but there's also the plaque burn," Brown points out. These tips are useful no matter which park you plan to visit, whether you've chosen a state park or a national park. They're also helpful any time of year, as the National Park Service states that more visitors are coming to the parks in the spring and fall than ever before. So grab your readers and your sunblock, and enjoy sharing the space with other park-goers who are just as excited about reading the plaques as you are.