The National Parks System has been able to provide Americans with the opportunity to visit designated nature and recreational areas across the U.S. As the National parks approach their 100th birthday and their Centennial Celebration, their experience can range from a weekend getaway to a perfect adventure opportunity. The centennial will kick off the second century of stewardship of America's national parks and engage communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs.
Sequoia National Forest
As 2016 marks 100 years of the National Parks Service, the best way to experience this celebration for yourself is by traveling just a short distance away to one of the four beautiful parks that California has to offer.
The first two of these is Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park, at a little over 2 hours away from Orange County, a desert escape is a perfect weekend adventure. Whether you like to hike the miles upon miles of trails, explore the deep caves of the vast rock formations or biking and ATVing across sand dunes, these deserts is a perfect way to get away. My suggestion is to visit airbnb.com in order to find cheap lodging and the experience of actually living in Joshua Tree instead of a run-of-the-mill Motel 6. The lodging in Death Valley, however, provides a great way to stay in the National Park and being able to wake up with a sense of adventure as you don't know what awaits throughout the day. With small cities to accompany, a trip to these National Parks is sure to create lifelong memories. Joshua Tree & Death Valley will allow visitors to be in nature and adventure through the desert while still only being 2 hours from home.
Joshua Tree National Park
The next National Park is my favorite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. This location allows for you to be transported into the great forests of California, and to gaze at the largest trees in the world, the mighty sequoias. As recreational activities include driving through the trunk of a giant redwood to hiking to the top of Moro Rock, this park has something for all. The most premier way to experience it is the through an old-fashioned camp site. Pitching a tent and falling asleep under these trees allows for visitors to truly experience the park and be able to be one with nature. Though many dining and lodging options exist throughout the park, this national park is able easily to satisfy the "adventure bug" for people of all ages. Only being a little less than four hours away from Orange County, this park is a perfect week long trip for everyone.
California Redwood in Kings Canyon
The final national park of California is easily the grandest of them all, Yosemite. Featuring some the most beautiful scenery in the entire state, this park allows for a picturesque adventure of any Californian. The first time you visit this park the overwhelming sense of grandeur is unavoidable. Whether you hike the famous Half Dome or El Capitan mountain, or gaze across the Yosemite valley from Glacier Point, or even just adventure through the base of the famous Yosemite waterfall. This park has some of the most famous views and hikes in the whole Golden State. With lodging experiences ranging from camping to RVs, to 5-star lodges, this park is equipped to make any guest feel part of nature. Because of the never-ending adventure opportunities, this park is often the most visited nature location in all of California and perfect for your next major vacation.
The Yosemite Valley
The Centennial Celebration of the National Parks is the perfect opportunity to visit any of these four amazing experiences. Be sure to visit the website for the park (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/centennial/index.htm) in order to find special experiences and opportunities to plan your next visit. As the national parks are a cornerstone of the state of California, these locations should definitely be on your itinerary for your next getaway.
