National Park Travelogue
There is nothing so American as our national parks … the fundamental idea behind the parks … is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us.”
~ President Franklin D. Roosevelt; 32nd president of the United States who signed Executive Order 6166, which created the National Park Service we know today
Find Your Favorite National Park
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON
Category: West Region
State: Colorado
The exquisite Painted Walls were formed by magma seeping through cracks in the black rocks resulting in hundreds of beautiful pink and crimson pegmatite streaks on the vertical walls.
ACADIA
Category: Northeast Region
State: Maine
The fresh air, warm breeze, along with the mountains, forests, ponds, streams and beaches, Acadia has it all.
YELLOWSTONE
Category: Northwest Region
There are more than 10,000 hydrothermal features to explore – with caution. Old Faithful is the world’s most famous geyser where eruptions are predictable about every 50 to 120 minutes […]
ARCHES
Category: West Region
State: Utah
The blue-grey mystical landscape burst into vibrant red-orange colors as the sun rose over giant rock formations. Many of the arches are close to the road but seriously, this is […]
BADLANDS
Category: Midwest Region
State: South Dakota
If you enjoy wide open spaces, Badlands will feel like home. Breath deep and enjoy the quiet. Gigantic, stark rock formations appear rugged and dry but spectacular.
BISCAYNE
Category: Southeast Region
State: Florida
Well, you need a boat to explore 95% of the Biscayne National Park. Yet the warm ocean breeze, walking the .08 mile Convoy Point Jetty Trail with lapping waters along […]
CARLSBAD CAVERNS
Category: West Region
State: New Mexico
The Chichuahuan Desert is the largest and wettest of the North American deserts. What lies below the surface is indescribable! My first experience with this national park was 20 years […]
DEATH VALLEY
Category: West Region
State: California | Nevada
Scorching-freezing; desolate-teeming with animals and plants; canyons-mountains; Death Valley is a place of extremes. The hottest temperature recorded was 134* in 1913; the lowest record temperature was that same year, […]
YOSEMITE
Category: West Region
State: California
The Half Dome hike almost 5,000 feet above the valley I’m told is grueling with metal cables provided the last 400 feet to reach the summit. El Capitan is more […]
BIG BEND
Category: West Region
State: Texas
My favorite hike was up through the Santa Elena Canyon requiring sloshing through the Terlingua Creek, climbing past fossils embedded in limestone, being sandwiched between shear cliffs towering 1500 feet […]
JOSHUA TREE
Category: West Region
State: California
This is a pristine wilderness area where the quiet of the wide-open space of desert, surrounding mountains and a staggering amount of Joshua Trees motivated me to walk – and […]
GRAND TETON
Category: Northwest Region
State: Wyoming
While mountains dominate the landscape, lakes, meadows and streams provide a haven for animals. Boating and fishing are equally coveted activities to hiking and mountaineering. A number of historic homesteads […]
REDWOOD
Category: West Region
State: California
Old growth forests, redwoods in particular, help keep our air clean, remove carbon dioxide and store 5 times more carbon above ground than any other type of forest on the […]
CHANNEL ISLANDS
Category: West Region
State: California
Sixty miles off the coast of California, Channel Islands offers a unique opportunity to unwind, disconnect from technology and bask in the quiet. Early morning we embarked for a leisurely […]
PINNACLES
Category: West Region
State: California
Located in a remote area of central California this park is named for the eroded remains of an ancient lava field. This is nature at its best. Wild turkeys, a […]
GLACIER
Category: Northwest Region
State: Montana
Going-To-The-Sun is open generally June – September and offers a spectacular drive over mountains, through thick forests, beside glistening lakes and features countless waterfalls.
WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS
Category: West Region
State: Alaska
Wrangell-St Elias is an enormous wilderness. It includes four mountain ranges with nine of the highest peaks in North America. There are two access points to enter; the Nabesna Road […]
PETRIFIED FOREST
Category: West Region
State: Arizona
Petrified Forest and its companion site Painted Desert is a unique out of this world experience and a stupendous place to escape reality.
CANYONLANDS
Category: West Region
State: Utah
Canyonlands and the surrounding area is a landscape full of surprises. From scenic outlooks to ancient living quarters, each has a distinct sensational impact. At times the landscape felt spiritual […]
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Category: Midwest Region
State: North Dakota
The Wind Canyon Trail with views of the Little Missouri River was breathtaking. If rustic, quiet, open range hikes past prairie dog “villages” appeal to you this park should be […]