# US and Canadian National Parks: A study in contrasts **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 1, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-and-canadian-national-parks-a-study-in-contrasts/1025294 "2025-12-01T18:12:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2025, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-and-canadian-national-parks-a-study-in-contrasts/1025294/41 "2025-12-06T11:32:35Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Are you guys still allowing USians up there…? I’d be quite embarrassed if people found out I was from down south… Naw, you’d be fine. Many of us have friends and/or relatives in the US; those who don’t have the sense to realize that Joe and Jane Average American who visit Canada typically are not the enemy. They’re just people looking for a pleasant vacation, or a good business trip, or similar. If Canadians have a beef, it’s with the Administration that floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state. That being said, though, I’d suggest removing any “Trump” bumper stickers from your car, refraining from talking American politics with Canadians even if asked (might be a good time to visit the restroom or step out for a smoke if the subject arises), and changing uncomfortable subjects to something most Canadians would rather talk about anyway: the hockey game that will likely be on the TV of every bar and restaurant. Even if you don’t know hockey, a “So, what are the XYZ’s [one of the teams playing on TV] chances this year?” will elicit a lot of discussion and immediate forgetfulness that you are American. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2025, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-and-canadian-national-parks-a-study-in-contrasts/1025294/42 "2025-12-06T15:56:10Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > Also, the Gulf Coast beaches are defined as public highways and any licensed vehicle is allowed to drive on them. What. The. Actual. Fuck? Just when I think Texas can’t get any worse… ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-and-canadian-national-parks-a-study-in-contrasts/1025294/43 "2025-12-07T01:01:43Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > > [@pullin](#): > > > > Also, the Gulf Coast beaches are defined as public highways and any licensed vehicle is allowed to drive on them. > > What. The. Actual. Fuck? > > Just when I think Texas can’t get any worse That’s the case for beaches in Oregon too. And I think for some other states, but I’m not sure which. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-and-canadian-national-parks-a-study-in-contrasts/1025294/44 "2025-12-07T02:29:01Z")
No lying down to sunbathe on the beach, I presume? ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-and-canadian-national-parks-a-study-in-contrasts/1025294/45 "2025-12-07T16:06:30Z")
As to Texas, highway is probably a misleading term. Speed limit is 15, and there aren’t that many vehicles that can get through the deep beach sand. I just set up beside my truck and it acts as a visible barrier to (rare) approaching vehicles. Plus the traveled area is easily discernible by all the tracks. Moving closer to the water gets you out of the main vehicle path. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-and-canadian-national-parks-a-study-in-contrasts/1025294.md?page=2)