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Favorite National Parks
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delta1 Offline
#1 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 6:54 PM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,823
I'm thinking of visiting a couple of National Parks this summer/fall. I really enjoy communing with nature and find serenity there. Two of my favorite places are Yellowstone and Yosemite. Any recommendations?
edin508 Offline
#2 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 6:58 PM EST
Joined: 06-19-2012
Posts: 4,647
My bucket list includes going to Alaska to visit some national parks.
MACS Offline
#3 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 7:01 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,888
I haven't been to either of them, but both are on my to do list. I don't think I have been to any national park...

Edit: I've been to Sequoia!! That was cool.
CruzJ Offline
#4 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 7:01 PM EST
Joined: 04-17-2014
Posts: 222
By looking at my picture, of course I would suggest visiting Big Bend. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding through the mountains and valleys. Kayaking in the Rio Grande. It's a great time.
teedubbya Offline
#5 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 7:02 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
I vote for Alaska
teedubbya Offline
#6 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 7:04 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
Custer was cool too. Rockey mountain Ntnl... Driving or flying to it? If driving, from where?
ZRX1200 Offline
#7 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 7:05 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,662
Glacier National park (Montana)
Zion National Park

CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK........AL.......

*ahem*


Just saying......vineyard tastings, river trip, shopping for the wife in historical Jacksonville while we herf.
opelmanta1900 Offline
#8 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 7:27 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
when my wife was growing up, her half-crazy half-whimsical dad spontaneously threw all 4 kids in the station wagon and set out to visit as many of them as they could with what gas money they had... they all say that the grand canyon was the only one not worth seeing... it really is just a big hole in the ground...
teedubbya Offline
#9 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 7:29 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
Grand Canyon is one of the best. Absolutely stunning and check out Sedona too.
opelmanta1900 Offline
#10 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 7:34 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
teedubbya wrote:
Grand Canyon is one of the best. Absolutely stunning and check out Sedona too.


hot, arid, waterless hole in the ground...
DaQueenBeez Offline
#11 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 7:47 PM EST
Joined: 01-26-2007
Posts: 20,837
Yellowstone, Yellowstone, Yellowstone, Yellowstone. And as long as you're in Yellowstone, exit through the south gate and hit Grand Teton NP. Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful - I never get tired of looking at my Tetons. And, as long as you're in Teton, you may as well stop for the evening gunfight at Jackson Hole and grab dinner at Snake River Brewing. If you're not feeling the mountain vibe, Arches NP is completely surreal and absolutely beautiful. Zion is a nice cross between Grand Teton's beautiful mountains and streams and Arches' red sculpted sandstone landscape...and more camp-able than Arches.

Opelmanta: I was told pretty much the same by a lady who lives easy driving distance from Grand Canyon. Said it was just a big hole in the ground that you had to pay big $$$ to get close enough to see decently. I'd go with Arches or Yellowstone - the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is mindblowing and you can hike right up to the rim.

Personally, my next NP pilgrimage will be Arches and Mesa Verde. Been through one and past the other - want to spend more time and really explore both.
teedubbya Offline
#12 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 7:59 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
Funny I was thought there was a river at the bottom of the Grand Canyon guess not.
teedubbya Offline
#13 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 8:00 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
And at times snow.
wheelrite Offline
#14 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 8:04 PM EST
Joined: 11-01-2006
Posts: 50,119
DaQueenBeez wrote:
Yellowstone, Yellowstone, Yellowstone, Yellowstone. And as long as you're in Yellowstone, exit through the south gate and hit Grand Teton NP. Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful - I never get tired of looking at my Tetons. And, as long as you're in Teton, you may as well stop for the evening gunfight at Jackson Hole and grab dinner at Snake River Brewing. If you're not feeling the mountain vibe, Arches NP is completely surreal and absolutely beautiful. Zion is a nice cross between Grand Teton's beautiful mountains and streams and Arches' red sculpted sandstone landscape...and more camp-able than Arches.

Opelmanta: I was told pretty much the same by a lady who lives easy driving distance from Grand Canyon. Said it was just a big hole in the ground that you had to pay big $$$ to get close enough to see decently. I'd go with Arches or Yellowstone - the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is mindblowing and you can hike right up to the rim.

Personally, my next NP pilgrimage will be Arches and Mesa Verde. Been through one and past the other - want to spend more time and really explore both.


Mesa Verde is cool. After you see it head to Durango to Party..


wheel,
calavera Offline
#15 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 8:07 PM EST
Joined: 01-26-2002
Posts: 1,868
Theodore Roosevelt National Park. South Unit is my favorite, but the North Unit is a little more rugged. Probably bore most people though. Grass, badlands, buffalo and the Little Missouri river. Oh, and horses too.

Was in Yellowstone three weeks ago. Not my kind of place. Too many trees, too many mountains. Some of the geothermal features were cool though. Got altitude sickness on my anniversary and spent the afternoon, evening and night puking my guts out. Couldn't get out of there quick enough the next day.





J
Abrignac Offline
#16 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 8:41 PM EST
Joined: 02-24-2012
Posts: 17,363
Wfe wants to get an RV when I retire. Says she wants us and our daughter to toot around the US. Sounds like a plan to me.
robertsccr5 Offline
#17 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 8:43 PM EST
Joined: 09-13-2012
Posts: 2,314
I feel very fortunate to live just 3.5 hours from Yosemite. My favorite place in the world, and I've been to quite a few countries.

Coincidentally, this Sunday I'll be driving from Vegas to Yosemite for a camping trip. I don't think I've been to any other national parks.
Buckwheat Offline
#18 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 8:51 PM EST
Joined: 04-15-2004
Posts: 12,251
Canyonlands NP is pretty cool. You can also hit Moab when you are there. Both are really great places.
MACS Offline
#19 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 8:54 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,888
Abrignac wrote:
Wfe wants to get an RV when I retire. Says she wants us and our daughter to toot around the US. Sounds like a plan to me.


That's my idea.
Abrignac Offline
#20 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 9:04 PM EST
Joined: 02-24-2012
Posts: 17,363
MACS wrote:
That's my idea.


I'm almost tempted to get rid of the house, sell all my tools and stuff, buy one of those 4 slide jobs and hit the highways. About 10 years later, sell the RV and buy a small house waaaay out in the country for the three of us.
wheelrite Offline
#21 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 9:05 PM EST
Joined: 11-01-2006
Posts: 50,119
Abrignac wrote:
I'm almost tempted to get rid of the house, sell all my tools and stuff, buy one of those 4 slide jobs and hit the highways. About 10 years later, sell the RV and buy a small house waaaay out in the country for the three of us.


Um,,,

have you EVER filled up a RV with fuel ?

each time it's a small house payment...


wheel,
opelmanta1900 Offline
#22 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 9:23 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
teedubbya wrote:
Funny I was thought there was a river at the bottom of the Grand Canyon guess not.


I should have specified...

The rich person entrance - the bottom of the canyon - has plenty of water...

But people entering via the poor persons entrance - i.e., the top - should be forewarned that the only water there is either pumped up or trucked in, and that at a fairly significant cost...
teedubbya Offline
#23 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 10:14 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
I don't remember ever being thirsty or my wallet lightening to get past my thirst. I do remember being cold and warned about hypothermia at night. I also remember a dicy ride back from flagstaff to phx due to ice and snow.

I'm not sure how to enter from the bottom of the canyon or where that would be. When were you there? I've been there quite a few times but it's always just a day trip (or two) compared to the other parks. The wait period for hotel or camping at the bottom is prohibitive too. I'm not sure you could get it done this year.

A day or two in Sedona is nice too. I need to get back there. The whole area is beautiful and IMHO a must see at least once.

All that aside I still vote for Alaska.
nolen Offline
#24 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 10:14 PM EST
Joined: 09-05-2012
Posts: 1,083
Last month I took the kids to the Cherokee National Forest in North Carolina. It was amazing! Rented a gorgeous cabin in the mountains at a very cheap price. There was excellent trout fishing in the steam in the backyard! The Ocoee River is nearby for white water rafting (US Olympic training site) plus horseback riding, zip-lining and tubing. Went to a full moon Bluegrass "pick'in" in a park near the cabin and also went to a 1950's drive-in movie one night. Just a great vaca.
opelmanta1900 Offline
#25 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 10:27 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
teedubbya wrote:
I don't remember ever being thirsty or my wallet lightening to get past my thirst. I do remember being cold and warned about hypothermia at night. I also remember a dicy ride back from flagstaff to phx due to ice and snow.

I'm not sure how to enter from the bottom of the canyon or where that would be. When were you there? I've been there quite a few times but it's always just a day trip (or two) compared to the other parks. The wait period for hotel or camping at the bottom is prohibitive too. I'm not sure you could get it done this year.

A day or two in Sedona is nice too. I need to get back there. The whole area is beautiful and IMHO a must see at least once.

All that aside I still vote for Alaska.


dead middle of freaking summer I'm pretty sure... I was just a kid along for the ride with my folks... if you can't tell I'm still just a little bitter about the whole trip...

I remember we tried getting cups of water at the nearby McDonalds (pre-bottled water days), and it was more expensive than soda... that was nice cuz we got soda Herfing

In fairness to the beloved canyon, it probably offers a very different experience than how my experience went, and is probably pleasant at times of the year other than the middle of summer...

I'm still not going back and I still think it's just a really big hole in the ground...
teedubbya Offline
#26 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 10:32 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
Lol. Now I get it.

I spent 15 hours in the back of a station wagon going through Rocky Mountain national park. I was sicker than a dog from car sickness and the mountain passes were awful. Just to see mountains and trees. Big **** deal.

I hated it.

Side note..... I always got car sick my entire life until it stopped almost overnight. Ironically it coincides with when my folks stopped smoking cigarettes lol.

I can't complain though. More than once my farts made them stop the car and we all got out. Lol.
teedubbya Offline
#27 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 10:34 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
Oh yea then there was my time in Hawaii when I wanted to hang on the beach but we drive something like 8 hours to see volcanic rock. Eff. Wasted two days really. Although seeing the volcano erupt was sort if cool. Not as cool as getting baked and laying on the beach at night though.
jackconrad Offline
#28 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 11:04 PM EST
Joined: 06-09-2003
Posts: 67,461
One day they will name a National park after me,,..
opelmanta1900 Offline
#29 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 11:05 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
or a prison... probably a prison...
Abrignac Offline
#30 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 11:06 PM EST
Joined: 02-24-2012
Posts: 17,363
wheelrite wrote:
Um,,,

have you EVER filled up a RV with fuel ?

each time it's a small house payment...


wheel,


Never have but, IIRC the big ones get about 4 miles to the gallon. Something to think about.
teedubbya Offline
#31 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 11:07 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
Or a boarded up porno theater
teedubbya Offline
#32 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 11:07 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
Abrig - get an electric one.
teedubbya Offline
#33 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 11:08 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
With a 500 mile retractable power cord.
jackconrad Offline
#34 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 11:09 PM EST
Joined: 06-09-2003
Posts: 67,461
\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")
teedubbya Offline
#35 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 11:11 PM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
Jack likes to eat carrots.
jackconrad Offline
#36 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 11:14 PM EST
Joined: 06-09-2003
Posts: 67,461
\__/)
(='?.'=)
(")_(")
DaQueenBeez Offline
#37 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 11:36 PM EST
Joined: 01-26-2007
Posts: 20,837
calavera wrote:
Theodore Roosevelt National Park. South Unit is my favorite, but the North Unit is a little more rugged. Probably bore most people though. Grass, badlands, buffalo and the Little Missouri river. Oh, and horses too.

Was in Yellowstone three weeks ago. Not my kind of place. Too many trees, too many mountains. Some of the geothermal features were cool though. Got altitude sickness on my anniversary and spent the afternoon, evening and night puking my guts out. Couldn't get out of there quick enough the next day.





J


Poor flatlander...
Actually, if you had altitude sickness, getting out of Dodge was the best thing to do. Also water, Tylenol and no alcohol.
DaQueenBeez Offline
#38 Posted: Mon, Jul 21 2014, 11:50 PM EST
Joined: 01-26-2007
Posts: 20,837
Buckwheat wrote:
Canyonlands NP is pretty cool. You can also hit Moab when you are there. Both are really great places.


You could use Moab as a launch point to Canyonlands AND to Arches - if I remember correctly, they're only about a half hour apart! Actually, driving through, I had a hard time telling where one ended and the other began. Definitely need to spend more time there exploring. I've been told that Moab is a lot of fun if you're a mountain biker, too...but I'm not a mountain biker so I don't see it.


Volcano NP and the Everglades are a couple I've always wanted to see, too.
dstieger Offline
#39 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 8:50 AM EST
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
My National Parks Pass is one of my more cherished benefits of having served for 20+ years.
A few favorites not listed above: Crater Lake, Badlands, Sequoia, Smokies
KingoftheCove Offline
#40 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 9:07 AM EST
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,664
Abrignac wrote:
Wfe wants to get an RV when I retire. Says she wants us and our daughter to toot around the US. Sounds like a plan to me.

Used to be able to "fulltime" or "snowbird" on the cheap......but fuel prices make it a bit more costly these days.

Still, it can be done.......BUT.......don't go into it like a noob.
Plenty of resources out there to educate yourself on the lifestyle.

Best thing to do is try it out for a while (6 months to a year minimum)...........BEFORE committing to it.
If you have limited RV experience, it will take you at LEAST that long to figure out what set-up best suits your needs.................MH and toad, truck and 5th wheel, truck and trailer, etc.

My wife and I were going to do the same thing (fulltime)........but after 20+ years of RVing, with many extended trips, she realizes she'll never want to live in an RV fulltime. She's perfectly happy being on the road 6 months/year, or more, but she wants a "home" to come back to, if even for a month or two, before heading out again.
Gene363 Offline
#41 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 9:07 AM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,874

Just got back from a trip that included Glacier National park, both the US and Canada, amazing places. The hotel at Glacier is pretty nice too.

Years ago we visited Mesa Verde on the way home from a Lake Powell houseboat week. mesa Verde is a must see.
drnos Offline
#42 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 9:45 AM EST
Joined: 10-29-2003
Posts: 2,787
I'm a lifelong Californian. Love Yosemite, Sequoia, and all the beach parks (mostly state and county, not N.P.)

But I gotta second Glacier N.P. It is like Yosemite on steroids. Huge. Breathtaking views from the Going-to-the-Sun road. Wife and I were there in June, but the road wasn't open yet. Such a shame. Still Lake McDonald and the Avalanche Lake trail were open.
cacman Offline
#43 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 10:29 AM EST
Joined: 07-03-2010
Posts: 12,216
Consider CO. Moved to a small town in the Rockies (about 6500 elevation) surrounded by National Forests and BLM land. Only need to drive a few miles to choose from a number of campsites, recreational areas including CO River access, lakes, bike trails, etc. Almost like living in a postcard.
RodneyB Offline
#44 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 11:01 AM EST
Joined: 02-20-2013
Posts: 645
Visit the smokies.
nolen Offline
#45 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 11:16 AM EST
Joined: 09-05-2012
Posts: 1,083
OK, is this gonna get all 2Pac vs. Biggie up in here?

Seems like the only thing represent'in is WNP's and only two ENP's.
opelmanta1900 Offline
#46 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 11:31 AM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
nolen wrote:
OK, is this gonna get all 2Pac vs. Biggie up in here?

Seems like the only thing represent'in is WNP's and only two ENP's.


that tells you something about the ENP's...

maybe it's the difference in weather...
dstieger Offline
#47 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 11:41 AM EST
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
Hey, I tossed the Smokies out there. But, honestly....I live just a few miles from an ENP; but, no in way and in good conscience would I recommend the National Mall over Yellowstone. Acadia might be cool as hell, but I'll probably never find out because it's in Maine,...wth..
delta1 Offline
#48 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 2:10 PM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,823
Thanks for all the info and tips. I'm gonna have to do several trips during the next few years to sample them all. I am considering getting a lifetime NP pass. Nice old folk discount...
opelmanta1900 Offline
#49 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 2:16 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
my dad just pulled the trigger on the lifetime pass... insanely cheap for the retired person...
opelmanta1900 Offline
#50 Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2014, 2:17 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
I guess you don't actually have to be retired... I was just looking for a nice way to say old...
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