Deep within a valley of dense sequoia trees, a river is carving its way to freedom, carrying a family on floats. Waters stumble over smoothed stones, gurgling here and there, then continuing on. Ten minutes earlier, the river dove off of a cliff into an awaiting abyss. Yet, this violence is nowhere to be seen. Chaos has become perfection.
It’s just over two weeks into the official season of summer and people are searching for places to vacation in the coming weeks. With fuel prices climbing again and airplane tickets costing so much, it’s hard to find a worthy destination that won’t empty your wallet. Look no further, because America is riddled with ways to entertain you and your whole family. In the form of 59 parks and over 350 monuments, recreation areas and historical sites, the National Park system can provide vacation ideas for years to come. Entrance fees to the parks range between free and $30 per car for seven days. So, let’s help you start planning your summer vacation.
If you don’t mind the crowds, head to one of the top-visited parks in the country. Founded in 1872 as America’s first park, Yellowstone has one of the most diverse wildlife populations in the country. Black and Grizzly bears, bison, deer, elk and even wolves can be found across the over two million acres. Not many people know that Yellowstone is actually the world’s largest volcano (but don’t worry, it is dormant). Other parks include Grand Teton in Wyoming, Yosemite in California, Grand Canyon in Arizona and the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Each one of the previously mentioned parks has its own treasures, but you are likely to encounter traffic and some crowds. The following parks can provide an equally great experience without the hoards of tourists.
Zion National Park is located in the southwestern Utah red rock country. In Zion, you will find yourself at the mercy of burgundy-colored canyon walls that rise thousands of feet above you. You will feel like an ant as you ride along in a trolley bus, which provides free passage up and down the main road to all of the hiking trails, campgrounds and hotels. Just an hour northeast of Zion is Bryce Canyon. Yet, despite the short distance it’s a completely new sight. Here, massive amphitheaters are home to towering rock features including “Thor’s Hammer.” Trails take you deep into the canyon and all around the rim, providing several spectacular views. The “ride with a ranger” program, which allows kids and their parents to take a trolley trip with an experienced guide has become a huge hit, according to Zion National Park public affairs officer Michael Large. Yet, despite all of the fun activities, people often forget animals are wild. "If your presence changes an animals behavior, you are too close," Large said. Lastly, if you ever want to take a break and reattach to civilization, Las Vegas is only about two hours away. Zion Bryce Canyon
Next up, Crater Lake National Park can be found deep inside the crater of a once destructive volcano known as Mount Mazama. About 7,700 years ago, the volcano collapsed after a violent eruption and formed a completely sealed bowl. Rain and snow began to fill the caldera and eventually Crater Lake was born. Unmistakably, its deep cerulean waters are among some of the purest water on Earth; no rivers or streams flow in or out of the lake. Several types of fish, beavers, otters and even a couple of eagles inhabit the area. Waterfalls make hikes around the lake even more enjoyable. As with all of the parks, kids can participate in the junior ranger program or in one of the park specific exhibits. One and a half hour boat tours occur on the lake every day during the summer, allowing visitors to truly see the purity of the water. Just two hours from the park’s north entrance is Eugene, home to the University of Oregon and another two hours north is the downtown metro area of Portland. Find out more about the park here.
If you are an adventurous kind of person, Biscayne National Park in southern Florida is just for you. This underwater wonderland is home to shipwrecks, former pirates and many beautiful white-sand beaches. Activities here include snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, swimming and more. In addition, you are just an hour from south beach; you may even be able to see Miami’s skyscrapers towering over the horizon while you are relaxing. If you are in the mood to see alligators, drive to Everglades National Park. Another option is to drive to Key West and sip a cold drink on the patio of a world-class restaurant, such as Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. On the way to Key West, there is plenty to see and do along the overseas highway, including aquariums, nautical museums and state parks. Just off the coast from Key West, you can take a ride to Dry Tortugas National Park and explore a nineteenth century fort or take a glass-bottom boat tour.
Located in the northeast United States is Acadia National Park. Acadia, located on the rugged south central coast of Maine will set you up with picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean. You can hike through dense forests to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Small quaint seaside villages dot the coast and serve varieties of seafood plates including famous Maine lobster. You may consider taking this trip later in the summer or even in early fall when the leaves start to change colors. Continue your trip north to the entrance of the Appalachian Trail at Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park or cross the border into Canada. Heading south, you will see the New Hampshire and Massachusetts coasts on the way to Boston. Acadia
In 2014, over 70 million people visited a national park. Families flocked from all over to see the treasures our government has fought to protect for over 100 years. Take your turn this summer and join the millions having life changing experiences. Just make sure to watch the wildlife safely and be prepared for random weather changes. In desert parks, rain can lead to flash flooding and at higher elevations, freak snowstorms may occur in July. Finally, book a few extra days than you think you will need, these parks are massive; and I’ll warn you now, you might not want to leave at the end of your stay.
