11 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Arches National Park
Post Summary: Your First Visit to Arches National Park Planning a trip to see the sandstone formations of Utah? Arches National Park is home to the largest concentration of natural arches in the United States. With more than 2,000 natural arches located within the park, it is not uncommon to ask “what must I see in Arches National Park”. With an area of 120 square miles of sandstone with an average of 1.4 million visitors, there is no shortage of things to do in Arches National Park. Here are my top 11 things you can’t miss on your first visit to Arches National Park. Things to Know before you go…
How to Make the Most of a Weekend in Yosemite National Park
Nestled in the Western Sierra Nevada’s, Yosemite National Park is California’s premier National Park. Originally created by President Abraham Lincoln on June 30, 1864, the Yosemite Grant marked the first example of parkland being set aside for preservation and public use. It eventually set a precedent for the creation of the first national park in 1872, Yellowstone National Park. Through the efforts of naturalist and Sierra Club founder, John Muir in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt returned the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove to the federal government for the creation of Yosemite National Park. Each year, Yosemite National Park continually dazzles its visitors through its beautiful valleys, magnificent waterfalls, and breathtaking…
11 Things to Know Before Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Ask a random group of people to name the busiest national park in the system, and most would guess Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Denali, or maybe even Yosemite. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is like the red-headed stepchild of the national park system. It’s a common destination for so many people, most take the place for granted and never think. Its popularity is why you need to plan your visit well in advance. This discussion highlighting 11 things to know before visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great place for you to jump-start your plan. Things to Know Before Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains National…
How to Spend an Epic Week in Big Bend National Park
What is your first thought when I say Texas? Is it oil and gas derricks as fair as the eye can see or a rolling plain occupied by cattle and dotted with small towns? Those images are correct when you think of east Texas. Head out to West Texas between the border of Mexico and New Mexico and you will find something special. Desert mountain ranges occupy this landscape creating a unique mix of river valley, desert and mountain ecosystems. Big Bend National Park was established to protect this scenic area. Here is my guide to spending a week exploring Big Bend National Park. Disclaimer: Thank you to Visit Big Bend for…
The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is one of the more interesting national parks. At its core, this national park is a giant lake on top of a massive volcano. The famed blue lake of Crater Lake fills the massive caldera left behind by an eruption of Mount Mazama. As Oregon’s only National Park, Crater Lake is an amazing park to explore. It can take over an hour to drive from one area of the park to the next so staying in Crater Laker is one of the best ways to make the most of your time in the park. Here is how to get a jump on exploring the park by…
How to Make the Most of One Day in Yellowstone National Park – Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Highlights Driving Tour
It is hard to name a national park that is more famous than Yellowstone. Yellowstone National Park is the world’s first national park. The park is famed for its wildlife and its geothermal features. Plus it’s a giant volcano that if and when it erupts again, it will truly change human life as we know it. Now here is the best way to spend one day in Yellowstone National Park and see just the highlights. This post was originally published on 19 June 2018. It was updated on 06 February 2020 to account for recent changes. About Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park is a massive 2.2 million acres. This…
The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip – Itinerary through the National Parks
There are few images of the United States more iconic than Mount Rushmore. Carving the faces of four presidents into the side of a mountain was a brilliant marketing ploy for a state that didn’t appear to have much tourism appeal. Black Hills, South Dakota is a land of history and natural beauty. The Black Hills feature many of South Dakota’s points of interest. One of the best ways to explore the Black Hills is to take a South Dakota road trip. This post was originally published on 08 June 2019. It was updated on 02 February 2020 to account for recent changes. When is the best time to visit…
20 Best Day Hikes in the USA to Put on Your Bucket List
There is no shortage of hiking trails in the National Parks. There are more than 21,000 miles of hiking trail spread across 419 National Park Service Units. Some hikes are short boardwalks and others are long-distance hiking trails There is a park and trail for every hiking skill level. Not every hiker wants to head into the wilderness and spend the night. So I asked a few of my fellow travel bloggers and national park lovers to share their favorite National Park Day Hike to create a giant bucket list of days hikes for you to explore. Each of these hikes is between 5-18 miles long and takes between 3-12…
National Parks of American Samoa
American Samoa is one of the five permanently inhabited US Territories. The territory is made up of five main islands and two coral atolls and is located about half-way between Hawaii and New Zealand. American Samoa is part of the National Park Service’s Pacific-West Region. There is currently one National Park Service Site in American Samoa. Official National Parks of American Samoa National Park of American Samoa Map of National Parks in American Samoa American Samoa National Parks American Samoa is part of the West Coast Region. National Park of American Samoa The National Park of American Samoa is the more unique national park service units. This remote national park is made…
12 Most Common Mistakes made by National Park Visitors and How to Avoid Them
Visitation to the United States National Park is at an all-time high. Every year more and more people are heading to the National Parks to experience the wonder that is the National Parks. More and more people are looking forward to hiking Yosemite’s Half-Done, see the eruption of Old Faithful in Yellowstone, or witness the sunset behind Delicate Arch in Arches. With 419 national parks, you can visit a new park for a week, and it will take you eight years to see all the parks. There is more park to see then there is time. Learn how to optimize your trip without making common mistakes. With over 200 national…
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