National Park Service Creates Optimized Map For Visiting World Cup Fans

World Cup fever is sweeping America and with it hundreds of thousands of international supporters, many of whom have never traveled to the states. Whether its Scottish fans drinking Boston dry, Japanese fans eating Texas brisket for the first time or the Norwegians doing the viking row in Times Square, there are story lines left and right about how our soccer loving guests are enjoying the American travel experience.

The National Park Service is onboard with the influx of newly arrived tourists and have created an optimized map and a dedicated to webpage to encourage folks to visit a National Park while traveling around the US to take in the incredible natural beauty and unique heritage that comes with our outdoor cathedrals:

“Make your World travel experience truly unforgettable: visit a national park! With matches in 11 U.S. host cities, we’ve mapped out nearby national parks so you can plan a day trip or two. Whether you’re cheering in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle, or beyond, there’s a national park site nearby waiting to be explored.”

Bison surround car @ Yellowstone National Park

The National Park Service also whipped up this official Match-Day/National Park Glossary to keep things simple (and slightly less chaotic than stoppage time) for folks hitting the trails in soccer jerseries:

Kickoff: When you arrive at the trailhead ready to take on the world. Big energy, fewer shin guards. Unless you’re just really prepared. Flip flops? Yellow card.
Extra time: When you said “quick hike” but it becomes a full loop, an overlook you didn’t plan for, and 1-12 stops to “briefly” rest before heading back to the car. Assuming you remember where you parked the car.
Home field advantage: You’re a local and you know exactly which park entrance to enter, where to pick up the best trails and viewing spots, and where the nearest bathroom is.
Offside: When you step off-trail, over a rail, or make a sarcastic remark to the hiking partner who said you’d enjoy the hike in the first place. Boundaries. Not just lines on a map or field.
Red card: Approaching wildlife for photos or to offer snacks. Depending on the size of the animal, this may result in immediate ejection… into the air.
Review: Checking the map again after confidently saying “it’s definitely this way.” It was not.
Penalty kick: Forgetting water on a 95° day and immediately kicking yourself for not making good life choices.
Substitution: Swapping stadium crowds and loud noise for scenic overlooks, winding trails, and the opportunity to learn something new.