CKNSLS, I am a highly educated person and I choose to defend myself if I need to. A firearm is the only tool that will reliably allow me to do that. You are the one that needs more education.
As far as carrying in state parks go, they changed the rule in 2010. If you have a concealed carry license in the state the park is in, you can carry concealed in the state park. Also, if the state allows open carry, you are fine. Once again, you are at the mercy of the state the park is in. For example, Yellowstone is in Wyoming and Montana and those states allow open carry without a license. Therefore, you can openly carry a gun in Yellowstone National Park.
All the state parks that I have checked have information on their site about the gun rules. It is your responsibility to check the rules before you go. Ignorance of the law is never a defense.
As to my background, I was a concealed carry instructor in New Mexico.