Best National Parks (flights, trips, easy, crowded)
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First, I need to correct one thing in that post. There are 62 National Parks,(as opposed to the 61 in this article [White Sands was elevated to NP status January 1st] https://www.nationalparktripsmedia.c...-by-state-list) not 66 as I stated. I must have had a brain fart when I typed that post
As for our favorite. That's a very hard, if not impossible question to answer. I always say that my favorite is the last one we visited because they are all so different. Each one is unique and special.
But, if you had to pin me down, it's a three way tie between The Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Bryce. With an very very slight edge going to The Grand Canyon. We have be to both the South and North sides (also Grand Canyon West which is not really in the National Park), we've flown below the rim in a 727 (that was years ago when it was still legal for commercial flights to request and receive clearance to fly through) and landed in the canyon by helicopter a few times.
The Grand Canyon is truly an amazing (almost religious) experience whether at sunrise or sunset, in summer or when covered in snow. There is nothing more spectacular image than a severe thunderstorm within the canyon
All that said, any National Park is worth visiting at any time. We were NEVER disappointed by any of them. And, don't forget National Monuments! Many of the NPs started off as National Monuments and like the Parks, the Monuments are, almost all, awe inspiring or historically significant OR BOTH!
I love Lassen, probably because it is the nearest to where we live & we can make day trips in the good weather of Summer. I also like that it is never too crowded.
I love Lassen, probably because it is the nearest to where we live & we can make day trips in the good weather of Summer. I also like that it is never too crowded.
We have been to many in the west. My personal favorite is Zion because I have been there in the winter, fall and summer. It may be because I love red walls of sandstone, the Narrows hike, or the fall colors contracted to the vivid colors of the landscape. They are all national treasures and I am glad that people like Lincoln, Muir, Roosevelt saw fit to preserve them.
I absolutely love Arches. I know it's not exactly a hidden gem, but I found it to be wonderfully easy to navigate with a 6 year old, while also having some really stunning scenery and landscapes. Canyonlands is great, too.
Most visitors go to the south rim when they go to the Grand Canyon. That is only half of it. The north rim is 200+ miles by road to a place you can see from the south rim. North rim is different though. For instance seeing the moon rise over the canyon is very memorable.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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No favorites yet... but always the 'next one' is nice to see and experience.
I have very lived near NP's all my life, so quite fortunate.
Quite enjoy nearby Lassen, Olympic, Rainier, North Cascades, Crater Lake, but St Helen's (Nat Mon) and CGNSA (NSA) are out my window.
I find all kinds of treasures elsewhere.
Valley of Fire (Nev State Park) is a favorite, and I do CA, Utah, CO, WY, MT and western Canadian National parks annually,
I liked Great Basin too. (Hint... I seem to enjoy low crowds)
Dream job... Snow coach driver and pianist for Yellowstone Lodge in winter.
Tetons is likely my favorite, wish I would have bought one of the homes within that park back in 1970s.
Trying to figure out how/when to enjoy the Apostle Islands NP. Need a boat with a cabin / berth.
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