Topic: So, you wanna see the National Parks?

[Scott S]

 I think it's a shame that one (me) can live in a country like the U.S.A. and not have seen so many of the natural wonders that abound within.
 I'd love to see ALL of our great National Parks. Realistically, I'd like to plan a trip or vacation to see at least a few. Maybe not all at once, but eventually. Places like Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Redwoods and Sequoias, Niagara Falls, etc.

 A dream vacation would be to hop in a car or on a motorcycle and hit the road for weeks or months. Real life demands that we fly into wherever we end up going and finding some sort of transportation once we get there. Whether it be a hiking friendly place, a rental car, a horseback tour, etc.

 If one were to plan a once a year vacation, where would you start? Any pointers on travelling to see these places? Any particular packages to get or avoid? We'll be leaving from North or South Carolina (I live right on the border of the two states) and going ..... who knows?

 The places I listed are the "biggies", but please suggest some other "must see" places and things.

[Xnavylfr]

Man are you ready to open this can-o-worms, you'll get comments that say the Nat'l parks in their region is the best??
Here goes, I've been to Nat'l parks from OKEFENOKEE Swamp. to Mt. Baker/Mt.St.Helens and never been to the ones in the NE. It all depends on the time of year and temps you want to put up with! I personally think the most picturesque are the parks in the North West.
 One summer we visited White Sands Nat'l Park ,NM, Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Great Redwoods,Mt. St. Helens, Mt Ranier. Mt. Baker. This was accomplished within 30 days (Mil.Leave ).
This is where YOUR choices take over , What do YOU want to see? How long do you want to stay?
Since you are in SC and you mentioned HIKING, Have you considered Hiking the Blue Ridge? Beautiful in the FALL and comfortable temps to camp in.

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[Scott S]

 I've not hiked the Blue Ridge, but have seen parts of it. I'm thinking more along the lines of "The Big Ones"....Yosimite, the Redwoods, etc. This would be for, say, a week long vacation, give or take a few days. Maybe one or two big trips a year, depending on cost.

 I'd love to do like you didn. Take a month and just hit the road. However, real life dictates otherwise.

[Greggo]

I had this very same idea about a year ago, and found this book https://www.google.com/shopping/product/8981627198946239082?q=national%20geographic%20national%20parks&hl=en&sqi=2&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41248874,d.cGE&biw=1920&bih=927&sa=X&ei=rFL9UNpWx82KAu-bgLgD&ved=0CHoQ8wIwAg

I haven't been to any new ones yet, because they're all a pretty fair distance from me, but it gives you a good overview of what they offer.  I'm hoping to visit at least two when I head to Tucson this year.  I can say that the Redwoods in Northern California are incredible...some of the largest living things on this planet.

[MikeKato]

"A dream vacation would be to hop in a car or on a motorcycle and hit the road for weeks or  months..................................................
 If one were to plan a once a year vacation, where would you start? "

A dream vacation would be to take off for a couple weeks and wake up one morning less than halfway through a 7yr,7continent trip. I've been reading this guys blog quite a bit since I found it a couple months ago. Read some of Murf's blog and you'll know exactly when and where to go,providing you can snatch the pebble from his hand.

http://www.blogger.com/profile/18342381117303216041

GL!
Mike

[Xnavylfr]

I'm surprised you HAVEN'T been to HOOVER DAM and GRAND CANYON easy 1 days drive from LA ,once you spend a day just getting out of LA traffic. Greggo !

You can spend a week in Yosemite and NOT be able to enjoy ALL of it's beauty!!
The REDWOODS are great especially the one you DRIVE through, I think it's named the General Sherman.  Like I said , the NORTHWEST. If you had 2 weeks ,you could see the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Great Tetons.

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

I tent camped the complete trip. Stayed 1 night on the East Rim of the Grand Canyon in MAY and it got down to 20 degrees that night. I woke up before daylight to the sound of ELK snorts and whistles and FREEZING my arse off. Spent the next night in Yellowstone.

[Kevin D]

Real life demands that we fly into wherever we end up going and finding some sort of transportation once we get there.

These trips have been among our travels.
1) Flew to Salt Lake, south for one week to Grand Canyon North Rim, Zion, Bryce. North for following week to Tetons and Yellowstone. Zion Narrows hike/wade OUTSTANDING
2) Flew to Spokane, on to Glacier/Waterton. Going to the Sun Road OUTSTANDING Grinnell Glacier hike OUTSTANDING
3) Flew to Billings, Beartooth Highway to Yellowstone, Tetons. Being in a mega volcano cone with griz, moose, elk, bison, wolves: OUTSTANDING

Eagle Rider rentals in Billings, Jackson Hole, SLC http://www.eaglerider.com/
Xanterra resorts handle Natl Park reservations: http://www.xanterra.com/

Beartooth Highway, Zion Narrows

[Kevin D]

I'll be reading this article carefully before I make any more plans.
http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/trips/americas-best-adventures/

I saw an article this morning about the Giant Sequoia trees in California, giving me an itch to go there next.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/sequoias/quammen-text

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

You'll have MANY week to week.5 vacations to enjoy. Such as the California trip: perhaps Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, San Fran then up the coast to the Redwoods. Split this up into 2 trips perhaps! The mountain states parks such as Yellowstone, Tetons and Glacier. Then there's Utah: Capitol Reef, Moab, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Monument Valley. How about Arizona: Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Pertified Forest, and Vegas. Combining UT and AZ would be good but you may be talking 3 weeks minimum to do it right. The deserts are very unique but NOT during the summer months. Colorado is nice but it doesn't have all the 'parks'. Rocky Mountain N.P. I've ridden all these places since moving out west. Totally different experience that driving. You're more involved on a bike vs viewing from inside a car behind the movie screen. I think doing it in a car you'd want more time but you'd actually 'experience' less.   

Even at a week and half you'd just be skimming these routes and not getting in a lot of 'participation'. One thing that's happened/is happening is that you are not allowed your own transportation inside some parks now. I've heard that's happening at the Grand Canyon now. Enjoy them before this happens to all.

[Xnavylfr]

WOW NO POVs in the parks, I haven't heard that . What do they have? How do they expect you to get TO Yellowstone Park Resort Hotel ,it's in the middle of the park.   That SUX
How are you going to get an RV Pull behind to all of the Camping sites??


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[Stev-o]

Greggo - what are you doing in Tucson?   

[the technological J]

this isnt me subscribing so i can give it a better read later

[Greggo]

Greggo - what are you doing in Tucson?   

One of my lady friends moved there for college

[rb550four]

I did the pacific coast ride in a car. wanted a bike
Went to Yosemite in a sports car thinking that would do it, doesn't .
Nevada , same thing.
  My advice is  where ever you go ,it may only be this once, take a bike.  Pull a trailer , put it on a tongue basket, bring a truck, whatever you do , bring a bike.
Not planning to bring a machine only takes a second, kicking your own butt for bad decisions lasts forever. Bring your bike!

[starsnbars89]

I've always wanted to do some long-distance traveling on a bike (my current one or otherwise). From PA here and just ride. Do the classic 'sleep on the ground under the stars' routine. A cheap, long, fullfilling ride. South, southwest, west, whatever. Doesn't matter to me. I just can't get my old(er) buddies in on it! They use that same complaint of "life". Life is short. Take a month or 6 and ride off into the sunset. Take your family even!

[rb550four]

I've been considering the route 66 ride for the past 2 years, summer is always my busy months. I 've heard that the route 20 ride to the west coast is every bit as nice and it isn't as chopped up as 66.
 Starsnbars, you're right, life is too short , too short not to.
I once worked with a guy who's father loved yachting, he was also an ambitious workaholic. The Dad found out that he may have 6 months left, got the entire family on the boat and sailed the seven seas. He never made it home but his family will never forget who he was and how much he loved them. It's a shame that we have to find out that the end is near before we allow ourselves to enjoy life to the fullest. I hope one of us will take the chance before getting the news.

[Stev-o]

You guys without wives, kids and careers:   Take a break from your normal life and plan a monthlong bike trip!    Did this before I was married and will never forget it.  Spent a month on my Kaw 1000 with four buddies, over seven states and 2000 miles.  The highlight was camping for 10 days on a small lake near
Telluride, CO. 
Yes, you could still do it if you're married but a whole lot easier and fun if you're single.

[fastbroshi]

The highlight was smoking for 10 days on a small lake near Telluride, CO. 
Yes, you could still do it if you're married but a whole lot easier and fun if you're single.