|
Are the US
National Parks Really Worth Seeing?
In a word.....YES. If you have a lot of time to
travel, whether at one time or over the span of a year, the
National Parks in the United States are really worth the
trip and a bargain if you buy the National Parks Pass.
The National Parks Pass is available
at any National Park for a $50 fee and is good for one year
from month of purchase. It is accepted for entry into
all the National Parks in the United States - which makes it
a great deal, especially for those traveling to more than
one park.
Yosemite
NP
Yosemite is an amazing place
to visit because of it's extreme beauty. From rocky
cliffs to crystalline waterfalls, as well as it's colorful
trees and frontier history makes it a sure bet everyone will
find something to love. Located in mid-California,
about 4 hours southeast of Sacramento and 6 hours from San
Francisco. This is a great place for international
travelers to visit, especially those with only 3 or 4 days
to travel. I highly recommend seeing San Francisco and
then taking a trip to Yosemite. By doing this, the
extremes found all over America will be experienced - a
fascinating, bustling city close to beautiful, untouched
nature.
Yellowstone/Grand Teton
National Park
Yellowstone is the first established national park in the
world. It's located in the northwestern part of
Wyoming, bordering Montana and Idaho. This park is
truly a haven for wildlife. This place is great with
children for their education, for their nature and also
science study. Volcanic geysers, like Old Faithful,
and face to face contact with many different kinds of
wildlife, are a child's dream come truel
The Grand Teton's are located south of Yellowstone and is
the most majestic meeting place for the continental divide,
with it rugged mountain views.
It's difficult for international travelers to visit
Yellowstone and the Grand Teton's due to their remote
location, but for those determined to see the diversity of
America, it's a great destination.
Grand Canyon
NP
The Grand Canyon is considered one of the 10 wonders of the
world, and it's enormity makes it hard to describe in words,
and even photographs don't do it justice. The
mouth-dropping views are awe-inspiring to those who visit
the colossal canyon.
The Canyon is so huge and deep the mighty Colorado looks
like a tiny creek in the bottom. Visitors on the
opposite side of the canyon are mere specks in the
distance. It is a definite "must-see" among
the U.S. National Parks!
Smoky Mountains
National Park
The name says it all. These mountains appear to have
smoke rising above them in the early morning. This
park is located in eastern Tennessee and western North
Carolina and is unlike the Rocky Mountains or even the Grand
Tetons, but commands attention with a different more subtle
beauty. This low elevation range, is most beautiful in
autumn when the foilage changes color to give us spectacular
fireworks in nature.
You can also experience a culture different from that of
other parts of the United States. For foreigners
visiting Atlanta, GA the Smoky Mountains are a 5 hours drive
away, but will worth the trip, especially in the
autumn. During the summer a river rafting trip is
refreshing break from the heat.
Rocky Mountains
NP
Hmmm, they're rocky? No, really, they are massive in
their size and the distance they cover. Located in
Colorado, just outside Denver, the Rocky Mountain National
Park is a good drive up steep hills.
Since the elevation is so high, 12,000 to 14,000 feet
above sea level, the road crossing through the middle of the
park is closed during fall/winter months due to snow and
ice. The summer months are the best time to visit
because even then, snow can be found on the ground at the
highest elevations. Experiencing the incredible drive from
one end of the park to the other is something you just don't
want to miss.
Arches/Canyonland
National Park
Both parks have interesting rock formations cause by
erosion, but the most famous of the two is the Arches
National Park. The infamous Landscape Arch's future is
uncertain as portions of it continue to break
apart.
For those fascinated by rock erosion and desert beauty,
this is a must see, especially since the arch is on the
verge of extinction. There are several other arches
visible in the park, but none more poignant than the
Landscape Arch.
Mesa Verde
NP
Experience ancient Native American lifestyles and learn
about their history in this incredibly intact park.
Ancient homes, building technology and social structures are
evidenced in their well-preserved cliff dwellings.
Not for the faint at heart or those afraid of heights, a
trip down a ladder on the edge of a cliff takes you to
another world - that of the Anasazi Indian.
Great for sightseeing with older children - they will love
the breath-taking trail down the cliffs.
Petrified Forest
National Park
The largest Petrified Forest in the United States is
found in Arizona right off Interstate 40. This park is
perfect for those with an interest in geology and earth
science. It's extremely easy to get to from the
interstate and is probably the most "walking
friendly" park to visit. Even very young children
or the elderly would have little to no problem navigating
this park.
Mt.
Rainier NP
A dormant volcano, Mt. Rainier is found in the
northwestern part of the United States in Washington state
(not D.C.). It is particularly beautiful with the
winter snow as a backdrop. It is about 4 hours from Seattle, WA
- hometown of Starbucks Coffee!
Olympic
National Park
This park seems like it's a hidden
secret from the rest of the United States. Found on
the west side of Seattle, you take a twisting, winding road that
makes this park somewhat difficult to get to. One you
arrive, it feels pure and
untouched due to the lack of population surrounding it.
Another interesting feature of this
park is that it borders the Pacific Ocean in addition to
giving a
view of the mountains. There is a lot of natural
beauty to see and is worth the long, winding trip to get
here.
|