It was established as a National Park in 1929 as a measure to protect the peaks of the Teton Range. Because Grand Teton National Park is connected with Yellowstone National Park you can pay the fee which is $20 and you can visit both parks for a week.

The National Park Service who manages the park also manages concession contracts like providing services such as lodging, restaurants, mountaineering guides, dude ranching, fishing and a boat shuttle on Jenny Lake. Almost 100 people work in this park accompanied by another 180 seasonal workers every year. Grand Teton National Park is one of the ten most visited national parks in the U.S., with an average of 2,500,000 visitors each year.

Grand Teton National Park Animals

Here you can benefit from six service areas. Each area offers you park information, lodging, camping, a restaurant and a convenience store. In some service areas you can find auto service stations. The most expensive lodging services in the park are at the Jenny Lake while at Dornan’s open-air chuck wagon at Moose Junction you can find some of the most informal and inexpensive dining. You could also find lodging and dining services along the road to Dubois and numerous accommodations and restaurants in Jackson Wyoming.

Jackson Hole is a 55 miles long by 6 to 13 miles wide valley with an average elevation of 6,800 feet. The valley is located east of the Teton Range. The   Snake River has eroded terraces into the valley floor. Southeast of Jackson Lake, glacial depressions known as kettles are numerous. The kettles were formed when ice situated under gravel outwash from ice sheet smelted as the glaciers retreated.

Jackson Lake

About 250,000-150,000 years ago, this are went through several periods of glaciations. The Jackson Hole was covered by 2,000 feet thick glaciers. The Jackson Lake was created as glaciers from the Yellowstone Plateau flowed south into the Grand Teton National Park area. The lakes near the base of the mountains have the same story. Today there area approximately a dozen glaciers that currently in the park, but they are not ancient as they were all reestablished sometime between 1400 and 1850 AD. The largest glacier is Teton Glacier which has 3,500 feet long and 1,100 feet wide.

Here has been found some of the most ancient rocks in any U.S. National Park. So far, the oldest rock has about 12 million years old. If you are passionate about the flora and fauna, you should know that you will encounter here over 1,000 species of plants like the Blue Spruce, the aspens, cottonwoods, alders or the willows and many others. Soil conditions, the amount of water, slope, aspect, and elevation provides great conditions for various plants to grow here.

Because of this great ecosystem area which is one of the largest intact  temperate zone ecosystems remaining on the planet, you can find 6 species of baths, 5 species of Amphibians like the Northern Leopard Frog, 3 species of rabbits, 4 species of reptiles or 6 species of hoofed mammals, including American Bison and Mule Deer. In Grand Teton National Park you can admire over 300 species of birds like the Golden Eagle or the Osprey, 16 species of fish and 22 species of rodents, including Yellow-Bellied Marmot. Here animals can travel between the two parks and the numerous adjacent National Forests at their own willingness.

Grand Teton National Park Lake

You can rent a horse from Jackson Lake Junction, at Coulter Bay Village and at Flagg Ranch within the park and go with a guide and discover the scenic areas. Thanks to the Snake River that flows the length of the park you can practice boating or rafting. You will find several places in the local area from where you can rent canoes, rafts or kayaks. They also offer guided whitewater adventures or scenic float trips on the Snake River.

You can go climbing the mountains. You can find some trail for beginner’s climbers or those who know the climbing techniques ca go and accept the challenge of vertical rock faces and severe ruggedness of the mountains.  During the winter Jackson Hole becomes a very popular ski resort. In the area you can find several local ski areas with a variety of slopes.  The most challenging conditions are in Teton Village with its 2.5 mile 4,000 feet. If you prefer less challenging skiing conditions and smaller crowds you can go to Grand Targhee Resort Ski Area. The winter temperature varies between 26 °F during the day to 1 °F at night. In summer temperatures can reach 80 °F during day and 41°F at night.

The Grand Teton National Park also becomes one of the preferred locations for lovers. Here they can get married in Chapel of Transfiguration, one of the most spectacular chapels in U.S.

So, I hope you found this interesting article that will help in making a decision regarding the place of a travel. It truly is one of the most beautiful places in U.S.

Arches National Park is famous for his red sandstone arches that occur there in great profusion. On the map that you can buy from the visitor’s center you can find over 1000 arches, ranging in size from Landscape Arch to small openings one meter across. There are numerous rock formations sprinkled on the park area and could take days to see them all. The Park entrance is on US191 located at 20 miles south of I-70 and just North of Moab, which is the biggest town in southeast Utah.

This rocks have that shape because they lies on a top of underground evaporate layer or salt bed. This is also the cause of why this arches look like that. Over time, water seeped into the surface cracks, joints, and folds of these layers. Ice formed in the fissures, expanding and putting pressure on surrounding rock, breaking off bits and pieces. Winds later cleaned out the loose particles. Wind and water attacked these fins until, in some, the cementing material gave way and chunks of rock tumbled out. Many damaged fins collapsed. Others, with the right degree of hardness and balance, survived despite their missing sections. These became the famous arches.

Arches National Park View

To visit all the rock formations spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths in the area you will need a 4WD vehicle because of the deep sand and steep grades. You can go hiking but during summer the temperature here can reach 110°F and it will make your job harder. The temperatures in Arches National Park vary by month, as well as the precipitation. The hottest month is July and the coolest month is January. In October you could see the most precipitation in the park. Also here it’s not a surprising think to see that is snows.

The Delicate Arch is the most famous arch in Arches National Park and has been adopted as the state symbol, appearing on Utah vehicle registration plates. You can see Delicate Arch by going on a 1.5-mile foot trail from Wolfe Ranch which crosses the creek via a small, swaying suspension bridge and leads across smooth exposed slick rock. The major concentration of arches and other formations can be seen in the Windows Section, where you can find formations like Double Arch, Cove Arch and Balanced Rock. This arches and rock formations from this area can be seen from the road or along short hikes.

Here humans lived until about 700 years ago and have occupied the region since the last ice age which took place 10,000 years ago. Alexander Ringhoffer and his two sons were the first who discovered this scenic area in 1922. Then Ringhoffer had written to Frank A. Wadleigh which works at the railroad company, in an effort to interest them in the tourist potential of these lands.

Arches National Park

Climbing on known arches in this park is not allowed due to the regulations. If you want to climb on any other formation you can do that but regulated. You can practice auto touring, backpacking, biking, camping, and hiking, some of which require permits. You can pay a guide and benefit from his services to learn and see interesting things about Arches National Park. Those of you who are interested in astronomy is a good place to observe the dark sky because is a large area here without lights.

The main attraction of the Arches National Park is the Landscape Arch. It has over 300 feet. The arch was named by Frank Beckwith, leader of the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition. You can admire this arch among Devil’s Garden in the North area of the park.  The Landscape Arch is considered by the Natural Arch and Bridge Society to be the second longest natural arch in the world.

Arches National Park Panorama

Also this area is full of wildlife.  You can see 52 species of mammals, 6 species of fish, 186 species of birds, 6 species of amphibians and 21 species of reptiles, species like the spadefoot toad, scrub jay, peregrine falcon, many kinds of sparrows, red Fox, desert bighorn sheep, kangaroo rat, mule Deer, mountain lion, midget faded rattlesnake,  yucca moth and rattlesnakes. You could also find 483 species of plants like the prickly pear cactus, the Indian ricegrass, bunch grasses, lichen, moss, liverworts, Utah juniper, Mormon tea, blackbrush, cliffrose, four-winged saltbrush, stemless woollybase, evening primrose, sand verbena, yucca, and sacred datura.

Although activities like hiking, camping or driving are limited within park boundaries, I still think is a great scenic park that worth a visit.

The park is surrounded by 8 counties. Rappahannock, Madison, Greene, Albemarle, Warren, Page, Rockingham, and Augusta counties. The park stretches for 105 miles along Skyline Drive from near the town of Front Royal in the Northeast to near the city of Waynesboro in the Southwest.

Shenandoah was authorized in 1926 and fully established on December 26, 1935 as a National Park. In the past much of the park area was farmland and even today you can see remnants of old farms in several places. Nearly 90% of the people who lived here worked the land for a living.

Shenandoah National Park

The park main attractions are the skyline drive and the backcountry camping.

The Skyline Drive is a 105 mile road that passes the entire length of the park along the ridge of the mountains. The most spectacular period to pass through here is in the fall season when the leaves are changing colors. You could also use one of the 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. In total, there are over 500 miles of trails within the Shenandoah National Park. One of the most popular trails is called the Old Rag Mountain, which offers a thrilling rock scramble and some of the most spectacular views in Virginia. You can practice horseback riding, camping, bicycling on this trail and admire many waterfalls.

In the Shenandoah National Park you could use a small place from the total of 196,000 acres of backcountry and wilderness camping which the park offer. You’re not allowed to leave any kind of remains behind or build a campfire. You must also be careful of wildlife animals here. You can encounter poisonous snakes and bears. Campers must suspend their food from trees while not in use in “bear bags” or park-approved bear canisters to prevent unintentionally feeding the bears. All animals are protected by federal law in this park.

Most of the campgrounds are open from April to October–November and you can stay at one of the most popular campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park like Mathews Arm Campground, Big Meadows Campground, Lewis Mountain Campground or Loft Mountain Campground. You will have part of shower facilities but no electrical hookups. In order to primitive camp in the area you will need first to obtain a permit.

Shenandoah National Park Waterfall

You can visit the caves near by the park. For a fee a guide will show you the underground stone sculptures. The Luray Caverns located in Luray, Virginia. You can see rare rock formations of anthodites, beautiful rock flowers growing out of the limestone walls if you visit the Skyline Caverns.

If you want to spend only one day here, you can admire the exhibits at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and Byrd Visitor Center at Big Meadow. You can fish here if you have a permit, rent a horse or take your bike and visit the areas. Shenandoah National Park is one of the most dog-friendly parks in the U.S. All the campgrounds allow dogs. Just don’t forget to put your dog leash when you go hiking. Over 200 species of birds and thirty two species of fish have been documented in the park. So, don’t forget your camera.

You can go to one of the numerous waterfalls located in the Shenandoah National Park. The tallest waterfall in the park has a high of 93 feet. In the Whiteoak Canyon you can admire a series of six waterfalls; the first (and tallest) is 86 feet. You should know that not all the falls are easily accessible from the trail. You could go on the Dark Hollow Falls which is a scenic trail of the Skyline drive which ends in waterfalls. The trail is at the edge of a stream which enhances the enjoyment. Some visitors are lucky enough to see deer’s and occasionally black bear and timber rattlesnake during the hike.

To admire the sunset, of course if you want to do that, best place is from the cliff situated at the end of the Stony Man Trail, of the most scenic trails in the Skyline Drive. Pay attention; you are not allowed with dogs on this trail. This year at Shenandoah National Park is the 75th Anniversary Celebration. You can take part at special events in the park.

The main attraction of the park is Fort Jefferson which is a massive but unfinished coastal fortress. It is the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere, and is composed of over 16 million bricks. The park has almost 80,000 visitors each year. If you want to get there you can do that only by a seaplane or by a boat. Ferries leave from Key West. Here you can practice activities like snorkeling, picnicking, camping, scuba diving, saltwater fishing and bird watching.

The man who named the island was a European called Juan Ponce de León. He gave the name Tortugas from turtles and Dry because the lack of fresh water on the island. He visited the island on June 21, 1513. Even today, you may be able to spot loggerhead, green, hawksbill, and leatherback sea turtles playing in the waters.

Dry Tortugas National Park Panorama

On January 4, 1935, the president Franklin D. Roosevelt, who visited the area by ship, designated the area as Fort Jefferson National Monument. The Dry Tortugas, including Fort Jefferson, was established as a National Park in October 26, 1992. The islands still not have fresh water. Because of the potential difficulties of survival in such conditions, one of these Dry Tortugas National Park islands was used as the location for filming a military survival film that was used to train aircraft personnel.

Dry Tortugas National Park it’s a good place from where you can admire birds. It has an official bird list of 299 species. Of these, only seven species frequently nest within the park: Sooty Tern, Brown Noddy, Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigate bird, Masked Booby, Roseate Tern, and Mourning Dove. During the spring season you have the chance to see even dozens of migratory species in one day. You can also see how several species of falcon as well as Cattle Egrets are hunting songbirds. Each year several bird guides offer tours of Dry Tortugas National Park during April and early May.

Fort Jefferson is the main attraction of Dry Tortugas National Park. It was built to protect one of the most strategic deepwater anchorages in North America. Also fort Jefferson it can offer ships the chance to resupply, refit, or seek refuge from storms. Fort Jefferson was one of the largest forts ever build. It was constructed between 1846-1875 but he was never finished nor fully armed. Even so it was a vital link in a chain of coastal forts that goes from Maine to California. Fort Jefferson which was the most sophisticated of these was a brilliant and undeniable symbol of the United States. Though never attacked, the fort fulfilled its intended role. It helped to protect the peace and prosperity of a young nation. The fort also fulfilled the role of a prison. Its most famous prisoner was Dr. Samuel Mudd, the physician who set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth.

Dry Tortugas National Park Gun

The Garden Key light was constructed in 1826. Was a 65-foot tall light which was completed on the eastern shore of Garden Key. Shipwrecks and navigation issues increased until 1858 when a more adequate lighthouse, the Dry Tortugas Light, nowadays called the Loggerhead Key, was constructed on Loggerhead Key. The Garden Key light was equipped with a new lens and 21 inch reflectors and renamed Tortugas Harbor Light.

The Tortugas Harbor Light suffered some serious damage after hurricanes in 1873 and 1875. As a result, the Lighthouse service advised that a new lighthouse to be constructed. By the end of 1876 a new lighthouse was finished. The Loggerhead Light. The light was taller, brighter, and equipped with a more modern optical lens than the Garden Key Light. During his construction, a contractor also constructed a house and kitchen. Today you can only see the kitchen which is occupied by National Park Service volunteer caretakers.  The house burned in 1945.

On Dry Tortugas National Park fishing is forbidden which make this place a sanctuary for species affected by fishing and loss of habitat. Also anchors are prohibited in order to protect the fragile coral reefs situated in the area. Here you can find the elkhorn and staghorn coral which are both federally listed as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Dry Tortugas National Park Walls

Also you kids can have fun. They can learn all about the habitats, history and animals around Fort Jefferson. They can become a Junior Ranger. All they have to do is to complete a copy of the Junior Ranger Handbook from the visitor center and bring it back to earn your very own Dry Tortugas Junior Ranger badge.

So, if you’re interested in Dry Tortugas National Park I’ll give you an advice. Go and visit it now because after a few years can dissapear. The islands are in a constant state of flux. Due to the erosive effects of tropical storms and violent hurricanes, shorelines are constantly being reshaped.

Here are not so many roads but there are a lot of hiking trails with spectacular scenery. You can go to Joshua Tree National Park through the entrance and visitor’s center in Cottonwood Springs near Palm Desert, California or you can access the high-country entrances at the Village of Joshua Tree or near the town of Twenty-Nine Palms. The rocks that form the Joshua Tree National Park were formed 100 million years ago as a result of the cooling of magma beneath the surface. Groundwater is responsible for the erosion that created the spheres from rectangular blocks.

You will encounter high plateaus, sandy basins composed by a strange collection of desert plants including thousands of strange looking Joshua trees. Here, boulders are scattered everywhere like sometimes they were the toys of some giants, whose house was once Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park Rocks

Joshua Tree, is formed by some of the best rock climbing in the USA. The gigantic rocks are composed of rough granite with plenty of holes and cracks where you can perform interesting climbs. The routes are short, the rocks rarely reaching 230 feet in height. There are thousands of piles of rocks around Joshua Tree providing a million climbing opportunities for beginners and expert climbers. If you would like to try some rock climbing, there are several outfitters and guides in the area that offer climbing experiences for everyone from novices to experts.

Inside the park you’ll find numerous trails some of them shorter like Hidden Valley, Indian Cove, Cholla Cactus Garden, some of them much longer like Boy Scout Hiking and Equestrian Trail, Lost Horse Mine, Lost Palms Oasis, Forty-nine Palms Oasis. Hidden Valley trail, offers you the chance to view the beauty of the park without straying too far into the desert. You can find the Geology Motor Tour in the south of the park. It provides a self-guided tour for those visitors with a four-wheel drive vehicle. There are sixteen stops on the tour showcasing the region’s geology.

Joshua Tree National Park Sunset

Here you can also camp. There are nine established campgrounds in the park, but only two of them (Black Rock Canyon and Cottonwood) provide water and flush toilets. As expected, a fee is charged per night for each camping spot. You can also find a few motels in the village of Joshua Tree and larger selections in nearby Yucca Valley and Twenty-Nine Palms. In Joshua Tree Village you can find only a few stores, gas stations, bars and restaurants because is a small desert village.

Inside Joshua Tree National Park you can discover over 250 species of bird including resident desert birds such as the Greater Roadrunner and Cactus Wren as well as Mockingbirds, Le Conte’s Thrasher or many transient species that stays in the park only one or two seasons. A USGS Bird Checklist of “what, when, and status” has 239 species listed for the Joshua Tree park.

If you want to enjoy a nice weather visit the park between October and March when the desert temperature is quite pleasant. Remember to carry water, as the desert heat and lack of moisture can be quite dangerous if you are unprepared especially in June through August when the heat becomes unbearable. Also take with you a hat and pair of sunglasses.

You may know that 429,690 acres from the park’s total land area of 789,745 acres are designated wilderness and managed by the National Park Service. National Park Services prohibits tourists make fire randomly or leave residues behind in any area of the park. You can’ go cycling in wilderness areas because you’re not allowed, but with a permit obtained in advance for travel in the backcountry you can ride a horse.

Joshua Tree National Park Road

Joshua Tree is located at 30 minute drive from Palm Springs, the exclusive winter getaway resort visited by movie stars and wealthy socialites. In Palm Spring are classy restaurants, designer shops and beautiful golf courses this making it very different from the wildness area of Joshua Tree Park. At about 50 miles east of Joshua Tree in the middle of the desert is located probably the smallest village and the most isolated town in California, called Amboy with a population of 8 people.

Joshua Tree National Park is also a good location for those who love the sky, for those who love astronomy. Joshua Tree park is well known for its dark skies, which are largely free from southern California’s extreme light pollution. The park’s elevation and dry desert air, combined with the relatively stable atmosphere in southern California, provides excellent astronomical observing conditions.

With over 390 miles of passageways Mammoth Cave is by far the world’s longest known cave system, being well over twice as long as the second-longest cave system, which is South Dakota’s Jewel Cave that has about 150 miles of known passageways. The cave is 379 feet deep, and contains at least 5 levels of passages. It is one of North America’s oldest tourist attractions.  Tours have been operating at Mammoth Cave since 1816.

About 350 million years ago the Kentucky area was a shallow sea. As the water dropped, the land evolved into layers of sandstone on top and limestone underneath, creating unique conditions for cave formation. The underground rooms and tunnels were formed by rivers and whirlpools. As a result of water corrosion you can find in Mammoth Cave National Park 350 miles of explored territory and another 600 miles of undiscovered areas. These caves are home for the 130 species of animals including baths, crikets or some species of fish.

Mammoth Cave Entrance

In this caves have been discovered aboriginal artifacts, dating back 2,000 to 4,000 years, indicating that early man may have lived in the cave entrances. Now you can choose between 13 tours inside the caverns that can take from 30 minutes to 6 hours. You can choose between the underground destinations like Grand Avenue, Frozen Niagara, and Fat Man’s Misery. You could also choose a wild tours venture away from the developed parts of the cave into muddy crawls and dusty tunnels. Until 1990′s one of the cave’s most famous attractions the Echo River Tour you could travel on a boat along an underground river. The tour was discontinued for logistic and environmental reasons.

In the 19th and 20th centuries from Mammoth Cave have been recovered several sets of Native American remains. In 1935 were discovered the remains of an adult male under a large boulder. The boulder had shifted and settled onto the victim which was a Columbian miner, who had disturbed the rubble supporting it. The remains of the ancient victim were named Lost John and were exhibited to the public into the 1970′s, when they were interred in a secret location in Mammoth Cave for reasons of preservation.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park has much to offer above ground as well as below. There are 60 miles of hiking trails through beautiful woodland hills made up of beech, black oak, white oak, poplar, and hickory. You can rent a horse to go on one of the many horseback trails. On the 31 miles of Green River waterway you can travel with a canoe. You can also fish here but you are not allowed to swim because of the depth of the river. The Green River Cruise boat ride offered several times a day is the perfect solution for elders or for people who love rivers but don’t want to paddle.

Thanks to the warm weather, from May through September is the best time to visit the Mammoth Cave National Park. By April, the snow is gone and temperatures are in a comfortable range of 13ºC at night and 24ºC during the day. The winter snows usually begin in November and, although the park is open, you can encounter some closed roads. The temperature cave can vary between 12.7ºC and 18ºC, so take a light jacket even in summertime if you go there. Also the cave floors and stairs can be slick and wet so take with you durable, flat-soled footwear that offers good traction.

If you like adventure you can stay here in a campground that offers you in excellent condition with new restroom buildings, fire pits, picnic tables and potable water. To do a backpack camping here you must first sign in with the rangers. For supplies, a small general store, as well as showers and a post office are all less than a one-mile walk from the campground and cave tours. For those who don’t wish to camp, you can stay in hotel rooms. You can go to a coffee shop for dinners which is located right next to the park headquarters. The rooms are clean and attractive with balconies that lead out to the lovely wooded creek. My advice for you if you want to stay in a hotel room here is to make an early booking because they are very crowded.

Mammoth Cave Walls

Along the route into the park, you can find rock shops, carnival type rides, family entertainment areas and a golf course where you can also have fun. I think is a perfect destination for a relaxing vacation especially if you are interested in caves an archaeology.

This arid terrain between the Coastal Mountains and the Sierra Nevada Mountains was once a semi desert valley. As you drive through the Central Valley, you will find many roadside markets that sells fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables all grown in the surrounding fields and orchards because nowadays the region is not anymore a desert, it has been transformed, by massive irrigation, into one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the USA.

If you look for a less populated place to visit, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are perfect because there are not crowded by millions of visitors each year as the Grand Canyon or Yosemite Park. The only access through each park is by automobile or bus tour.

Sequoia National Park Panorama

Sequoia National Park is a national park in the southern Sierra Nevada east of  Visalia, California, in the United States. This park covers an area of 404,051 acres. Encompassing a vertical relief of nearly 13,000 feet, the park contains among its natural resources the highest point in the contiguous 48 United States, Mount Whitney which has a high of 14,505 feet.

The park is famous for its giant sequoia trees, from where his name comes, including the General Sherman tree, declared the largest tree on Earth. The park’s giant sequoia forests provide 202,430 acres of old-growth forests shared by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

To visit Sequoia National Park you can access the entrance near by town of Three Rivers at Ash Mountain. Because in the park you can find fuel and you’ll need it to travel inside the park you should fill your tank in Three Rivers town. It will cost you $10 for a 7-day pass to enter both Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. From the Three Rivers entrance, the road climbs nearly 2,000 meters in 26 miles of switchbacks to the 2,500-meter summits of the first Sierra peaks. A beautiful view. In this region, visitors often have the opportunity to see mule deer, Douglas squirrels, and American black bears, which sometimes break into unattended cars to eat food left by careless visitors.

Sequoia National Park

Here you can relax by fishing, you can do hiking, camping and backpacking. But there are five main destinations that no visitor should miss them.

The Sherman Trail which is an about a mile roundtrip paved trail between the parking lot and the base of the General Sherman tree.

The Tunnel Log is a tunnel cut through a fallen giant sequoia tree. The tree, which measured 275 feet tall and 21 feet in diameter, fell across a park road in 1937 due to natural causes. The following year, a crew cut an 8-foot tall, 17-foot wide tunnel through the trunk, making the road passable again.

Campgrounds –  there are four campgrounds at higher, elevations between 6,650 to 7,500 feet: Atwell Mill (21 sites), Cold Springs (40 sites), Lodgepole (214 sites), and Dorst Creek (204 sites).

The Crescent Meadow which is a small, sequoia rimmed meadow in the Giant Forest region. This sierra montage meadow marks the western terminus of the High Sierra Trail, which stretches from the meadow across the Great Western Divide to Mount Whitney. The meadow lies at the end of a three mile paved road which leaves the Generals Highway near the Giant Forest Museum.

And the last but not the least destination is Moro Rock, a granite dome located in the center of the park, at the head of Moro Creek, between Giant Forest and Crescent Meadow. You can climb Moro Creek using a 400 step stairway, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930′s. It’s a spectacular view from up there.

Kings Canyon National Park is a National Park in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of Fresno, California which was established in 1940 and covers an area of 461,901 acres. The main, northern entrance lies about 50 miles east of Fresno along Highway 180. The park is north of and contiguous with Sequoia National Park. Here in Kings Canyon National Park some wanted to build a dam at the western end of the valley, while others wanted to preserve it as a park. In Kings Canyon you will benefit for camping facilities, toilets, restaurants, convenience stores and several lodges.

Kings Canyon National Park

From Route 180 the road drops 1,000 meters down into the canyon through a series of switchbacks from where you can admire spectacular views. At the bottom, it follows the raging Kings River up this narrow defile for about 10 miles to Cedar Grove Village and Roads End. The canyon walls rise 1,000 meters on each side.

If you love nature, wild lands, sequoia trees or you prefer a less crowded place, then these two parks are perfect for you. Visit them, you will not regret it.

For more than 1,000 miles, the Rio Grande forms the international boundary between Mexico and the United States. Big Bend National Park administers approximately 244 miles of this area along that boundary. This river literally cuts through the mountains and is the greenest part of Big Bend. On the river if you have a permit you can practice rafting and canoeing.

Swimming is not banned on the river but go for a swim only if you’re a professional swimmer because Rio Grande has some fast moving currents, steep drop-offs and is subject to dangerous flash flooding. You can also fish on this river. Hikers can choose to follow the river trails through Santa Elena, The Mariscal, the Hot Spring and Boquillas canyons and get a close up view of the hundreds of birds and animals that come to drink in the river. If you want transportation but prefer to stay off the river, then the river road called El Camino Del Rio is an excellent alternative. It is a paved route that follows the Grand River through the mountains and canyons.

Big Bend Panorama

Here the climate may be characterized as one of extremes. During spring and summer temperatures often exceed 100 °F in the lower elevations. Mostly the winters are normally mild throughout the park, but sub-freezing temperatures occasionally occur. Because of the range in altitude from approximately 1,800 feet along the river to Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains at 7,832 feet a wide variation in available moisture and in temperature exists throughout the park. Thanks to these variations of temperatures here you will be able to admire exceptional species of plant and animal habitats. For example this is the only place in U.S where you can see the Chisos Oak.

Before 1535 several Indian groups were recorded as inhabiting the Big Bend. The Chisos Indians were a loosely organized group of nomadic hunters and gatherers who probably practiced limited agriculture on a seasonal basis. Big Bend National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the United States. In recent years only 300,000-350,000 visitors have entered the park annually. The main attractions here is are hiking and backpacking trails. Other destinations to visit here include Santa Elena Canyon, Grapevine Hills, and the Mule Ears which are two imposing rock towers in the middle of the desert. Here you can benefit for the services of professional backpacking guide that provide trips in the park.

Big Bend National Park

There are five paved roads in Big Bend. Persimmon Gap to Panther Junction is a 28-mile road from the north entrance of the park to park headquarters at Panther Junction.

Panther Junction to Rio Grande Village is a 21-mile road that descends 2,000 feet from the park headquarters at Panther Junction to the Rio Grande River.

Maverick Entrance Station to Panther Junction is a 23-mile route from the western entrance of the park to the park headquarters.

Chisos Basin Road is 6 miles long that climbs to 5,679 feet above sea level at Panther Pass before descending into the Chisos Basin.

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a 30 miles road that leads to the Castolon Historic District and Santa Elena Canyon.

The Chisos Mountains from the middle of the Rio Grande River were formed by volcanic movement during the Great Ice Age. This land had become an island of fertile soil surrounded by the arid lowlands. The Chisos Mountains are the center of the recreational activity of the park. Here, you can do rock climbing up the volcanic peaks, hike and also you can ride horseback or just take one of the five paved roads.

I could say that the best time to visit the Big Bend National Park is in winter, when the rest of the country is locked in snow; here the desert has a comfortable temperature of 27 ºC. Hikers and mountain bikers are always warned to take more water than what they think they need because of the dry climate that makes dehydration the most serious danger here especially during summer when temperature can exceed 100ºF.

Big Bend River

Big Bend National Park has five visitor’s center that are sprinkled throughout the park with restroom facilities, maps, water and phones. At the Basin, Castolon, Panther Junction and Rio Grande Village areas you can find small grocery store and gas stations where you can enjoy cold drink and some camping supplies.

The climate change from the surprisingly warm summers when temperatures can reach 100 F to the fiercely cold winters when you will find -55 F. The North Slope along the Arctic Coast is classic arctic tundra, a treeless semi-desert climate with extremely cold winters. Here a day during the summer is as long as a night during the winter season because of these high latitudes. In the north a summer day can stretch up to 22 hours. The Alaskan people call this “the land of the midnight sun”. During the winter nights often you can observe on the sky the Aurora Borealis, the “stars dance”.

In Alaska the population is concentrated in a few cities and towns along the coast. It has less than one person per square mile. Alaska is a state full of scenic attractions that can be divided into several distinct areas with the city of Anchorage placed at the center. Copper Valley, Mat-Su Valley, the Kenai Peninsula and Chena River State Recreation Area are all located near Anchorage, and you can visit them by car or just taking a ferryboat.

Alaska Vegetation

The Fairbanks and Denali National Park are located north of Anchorage and can be reached from the city on Route 3 or from the Canadian border using the Alaska Highway. In this state, if you want to visit the majority of these scenic places you will have to use a floatplane or a boat along the inland waterways. Don’t worry, Alaska has a huge number of “bush pilots” with small aircraft willing to taxi you almost anywhere for a fee. Alaska Marine Highway ferries travel from Bellingham, Washington, or Prince Rupert, Canada, to Sitka, Juneau and Haines with numerous stops at many of the shoreline communities. Via the Alaska Highway you can drive only to Skagway or to Haines.

If you live in America and want to visit Alaska you should know that there are four ways to get there: air, boat, train or car. Most flights go in and out of Fairbanks or Anchorage, since they are larger and provide easy access to more of the state. From most major cities there are daily direct flights. Within the state, there are frequent commuter flights between cities plus charter helicopters and small planes providing transportation to the more remote locations. If you want to go in Alaska for a 4 to 7 days trip, you should know that several commercial cruise lines depart from Seattle or Vancouver, Canada. They usually follow the coastline up to Prince William Sound and back with glacier viewing, whale watching and stopovers in Sitka and Skagway. In most of these excursions you will also visit Denali National Park and other interior attractions. If think that the prices are to high you can try the ferries of the Inland Marine Highway that departs weekly from Bellingham, 70 miles north of Seattle, to Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Haines, with stops at many coastal villages on the way.

Alaska Road

About the transport, you won’t find any direct railroad connection between the “lower 48″ states and Alaska. Once inside Alaska, 470 miles of railroad extend from Seward, through Denali to Fairbanks. But these trains are very comfortable, a good place from which you can observe the scenic places through the large windows. Despite the harsh winters, this railroad runs all year round. But, if you go with your own car you can drive on the Alaska Highway that starts at Dawson Creek in British Columbia and ends 1,422 miles north in Delta Junction Alaska. The road was built during World War II. It is in good condition and used by many thousands of visitors every year. It takes about four days of driving to navigate the full length of the Alaska Highway.

So, if you want to visit Alaska, want to haunt some animals there or you just want to take pictures for some nature magazine or for yourself you always be prepared. Just remember, Alaska is a wild state. You should always take safety precautions before going on trips, like letting someone know your itinerary. If you visit Alaska during the winter, remember, you can find harsh and overwhelming conditions, so pack some cold weather clothes and other stuffs. During the summer the greatest threat comes from bears. When hiking, you should always make plenty of noise to avoid startling any bear. For your safe you better do that and also take at least a pepper spray with you.

Alaska Animal - Caribou

Wheter you’re getting ready to come to Alaska or if you are just looking for Alaska informations make a school report, I just hope you will find this article interesting as well as our others article.

These cities were abandoned in 1300 when a major drought devastated the whole province. The land was declared a National Park in June 29, 1906. Mesa Verde National Park exact location is in the southwestern corner of Colorado near the borders with Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. To get there you need to perform a steep climb from the highway (US 160) up to the top of the mesa.

Mesa Verde’s park entrance is about 9 miles East of the community of Cortez and the most popular area called Chapin Mesa is another 6 miles beyond the visitor center. The park fee is $10 or $15 for vehicles or depending the season you pay $5 or $8 per person. If you want to go there with your caravan you should know that they are not permitted inside the park but there is an adequate parking near the park entrance.

Mesa Verde National Park

During the summer the Mesa Verde National Park becomes very crowded. Approximately 600 of the over 4700 archeological sites found in Mesa Verde National Park are cliff dwellings. You can drive through the cliffs, admiring the scenic places, passing near by these lost villages. If you want to go in these dwellings, you must take one of the ranger-guided tours; all by your own you’re not allowed. You will be able to observe also the significant damage from the fires that took place here in 1996, 2000 (twice), 2001, 2002, and 2003.

You can take part at tours led by a guide and you can get through some of the cliff dwellings such as Balcony House, Cliff Palace and Long House. The cliff dwellings on Wetherill Mesa, including Long House and Step House, can be reached via a long mountain road which has a length of 12-mile leading Southwest from the park visitor center. Many other dwellings are visible from the road but not open to tourists. The visitor center is 15 miles from the entrance. You can purchase a ticket to such a tour from visitor’s center which from mid-May through mid-October is opened starting at 9AM to 5PM. A ticket cost $3 but be aware, you can spend much time on waiting at the queue so go in the morning.

Mesa Verde National Park Tourists

You can take a run to the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum where you can find information about the Ancient Puebloan civilization and displays findings and artwork. Except the winter season, here you can benefit from lodging. You can go hiking, you can have part of a campground, and facilities for food and fuel.

The top six places to visit in Mesa Verde National Park are:

Spruce Tree House – which is located on Chapin Mesa. This cliff dwelling is easily accessible and well preserved. Also include a kiva with a restored roof where you can enter. Excavations indicate that this structure was probably occupied for less than a century.

Mug House – is located on Wetherill Mesa. It was excavated in the late 1960′s by an archaeologist called Arthur Rohn. Is one of the largest cliff dwellings, containing 94 rooms placed on four levels, including a large kiva, with simple vertical walls and masonry pilasters.

Cliff Palace – is the best known cliff dwelling and also the largest from Mesa Verde. Here have been identified 150 rooms and 23 kiva’s and had a population of appropriately 100 people. It is thought that Cliff Palace was a social, administrative site with high ceremonial usage. The large square tower, known as Square Tower House, is to the right and almost reaches the cave roof.  Was restored by the National Park Service to its approximate height and stature, making it one of the most memorable buildings in the Cliff Palace.

Mesa Verde Reservoirs – that was built by the Ancient Puebloans, were named a National Civil Engineering Historic Landmark on September 26, 2004.

Balcony House – it is said that they was probably first rediscovered by an excavator, named S.E. Osborn in 1884  his name and the date March 20, 1884 being found in a dwelling nearby. Osborn also published a newspaper about dwellings, including one that matches the description of Balcony House, in 1886.

Square Tower House – is the tallest structure in Mesa Verde. This cliff dwelling was occupied like many of the others between 1200 and 1300 AD.

Mesa Verde National Park Panorama

So Mesa Verde National Park is a beautiful world heritage site in America. If you are passionate about archeology or want to know more about those who lived there centuries ago, you really need to visit this park.