Adventure glossary
61 words you’ll meet at the park, on the trail and in hunting and travel news, in plain English. For whole ideas, read Know Before You Go; for what’s closed or opening, see the Heads Up board.
At the theme park
- Rope drop #
- The moment a park opens to guests in the morning. The shortest lines of the day are often right after it. Stories
- Single rider line #
- A separate, usually faster line for guests willing to ride apart from their group to fill empty seats. Stories
- Virtual queue #
- A system that holds your place in line through an app or kiosk, so you come back at your assigned time instead of standing in line. Stories
- Paid line skip (Lightning Lane, Express Pass) #
- A fee some parks charge to use a shorter line. Names, prices and rules vary by park. Stories
- Height requirement #
- The minimum (and sometimes maximum) height a rider must be, set for safety by the ride’s maker and the park, and measured at the ride. Stories
- Refurbishment (refurb) #
- A planned closure of a ride or area for maintenance or updates, usually with announced dates. Stories
- Soft opening #
- A new ride or area opening early, unannounced or for limited times, before its official date. It can close again without notice. Stories
- Hard-ticket event #
- A special event that needs its own ticket on top of regular admission, often after normal hours — Halloween nights, for example. Stories
- Annual pass (season pass) #
- A ticket for many visits over a year or a season, often sold in tiers with blockout dates. Stories
- Lift hill #
- The first climb on a traditional roller coaster, usually pulled by a chain or cable. Stories
- Launch coaster #
- A roller coaster that starts with a burst of speed from a launch system instead of a slow climb up a lift hill. Stories
In the parks
- National park #
- An area a national government protects for its nature or history. In the U.S., national parks are run by the National Park Service. Stories
- National Park Service (NPS) #
- The U.S. federal agency that runs the national parks and many monuments, historic sites and seashores. Stories
- National forest #
- Federal land run by the U.S. Forest Service for many uses, including recreation, timber and grazing. Its rules differ from a national park’s. Stories
- Timed-entry reservation #
- A ticket for a set arrival window that some parks require at busy times to spread out visitors. Stories
- America the Beautiful pass #
- The U.S. federal recreation pass that covers entrance fees at national parks and many other federal sites. There are several versions, each with its own price and rules. Stories
- Backcountry #
- Remote areas away from roads and buildings, usually reached on foot. Many parks require a permit to camp there. Stories
- Ranger #
- A park employee who protects the park and its visitors — giving information, enforcing rules and, in many parks, fighting fires and leading rescues. Stories
On the trail
- Blaze #
- A painted mark on trees or rocks that shows the route. The Appalachian Trail is marked with white blazes. Stories
- Cairn #
- A stack of rocks that marks a route across open rock or above the tree line. Don’t build new ones or knock them down. Stories
- Elevation gain #
- The total climbing on a trail — often a better guide to how hard it is than its length. Stories
- Out-and-back and loop #
- An out-and-back trail returns the way you came; a loop brings you back to the start by a different path. Stories
- Thru-hike #
- Hiking a long-distance trail end to end in one season, such as the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. Stories
- Rail trail #
- A path built on an old railroad line — usually flat, and good for walking and biking. Stories
- Multi-use trail #
- A trail shared by hikers, bikers and sometimes horses. Who yields to whom is usually posted at the trailhead. Stories
Planning a trip
Hunting and fishing
- Hunting license #
- Permission from a state wildlife agency to hunt. Many states require new hunters to pass hunter education first. Stories
- Hunter education #
- A safety course on firearms, ethics and the law. Many states require it before you can buy your first hunting license. Stories
- Tag #
- A permit for one animal of a species, usually attached to the animal after harvest the way the state requires. Stories
- Bag limit #
- The most animals of a species one person may take in a day or a season, set by the state. Stories
- Possession limit #
- The most animals of a species one person may have at one time. It is often larger than the daily bag limit. Stories
- Draw (lottery) #
- How states hand out limited tags or permits for some hunts: a random drawing among everyone who applied. Stories
- Archery, muzzleloader and gun seasons #
- Separate season dates for each kind of weapon, set by each state. Stories
- Hunter orange (blaze orange) #
- Bright orange clothing many states require during firearm seasons so hunters can see each other. Stories
- Public and private land #
- Public land is managed by agencies, which set where and when hunting is allowed. Hunting private land needs the owner’s permission. Stories
- Chronic wasting disease (CWD) #
- A fatal disease of deer, elk and moose. States test for it and can set special rules, such as on moving carcasses. Stories
- Fishing license #
- Permission from a state to fish. Who needs one, and for which waters, varies by state and age. Stories
Heads Up words
- Advisory #
- A warning about conditions such as heat, high water, an algae bloom or wildlife activity. The area may stay open. Stories
- Red flag warning #
- A National Weather Service alert that weather could make fires spread quickly. Parks often ban campfires during one. Stories
- Fire restrictions (burn ban) #
- Limits on campfires and open burning that land managers set when fire danger is high. Stories
- Harmful algal bloom #
- A fast growth of algae that can make people and pets sick. Agencies post advisories and can close beaches. Stories