Precipice trail for the win.


Also up in the Northeast is the White Mountain National Forest which is awesome

I don't have a list of 10, unfortunately i've only visited 4. I spent a month backpacking the Wind River Range on a NOLS/Orvis trip a few years ago and it was incredible, but not a national park. I love Big Bend. We visited Zion last October and it was pretty neat. Main canyon felt like the jurassic park visitor center, so I would highly encourage future visitors to stay in the backcountry as much as possible to escape the crowds. I don't have any pictures of Big Bend or Wind River Range accessible right now, but here are a few from Zion.

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Not sure about those url's and descriptions, but looks like the subway in Zion. Again, Zion for the win in my book most likely.

But so many beautiful places and amazing parks. Really spectacular what our land has to offer of you take time to see it.

We loved Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Have a bunch planned this year - but a number are part of the "Top 10".

We also really want to get down to camp at Dry Tortuga, but were too late to get a spot on the boat for our vacation time frames this year.

It is funny how different people see the same National Parks. Black Canyon is probably my least favorite of all of the ones I went to.

I agree about Canyonlands. We visited it for SB on same trip as GC and Arches. Canyonlands was just so vast. Arches was so accessible. This summer we visited Rainier (and Mt Hood but that's a National Forest). I just loved those. For SB this year we're going to hit Everglades and Biscayne. Maybe Dry Tortugas (we're staying in Key Largo). Is Dry Tortugas worth a visit?

By the way, if you have little kids, the Junior Ranger program is awesome. Our 6 year old earned 3 badges. Will really help her to remember the trips.

Hubs and I are considering Denali for this summer. Any trip recommendations? Looks crazy expensive to stay in the park (don't want to bring camping gear). Another idea is Glacier.

For those saying Zion, what time of year did you travel? Is it too brutally hot in the summer to enjoy?

AggieDave02 said:

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For those saying Zion, what time of year did you travel? Is it too brutally hot in the summer to enjoy?

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May. Was pretty hot. The Narrows are perfect on a day like that. If you are used to Texas heat, it isn't bad though in comparison. Also the mornings are nice and cool so get up and avoid the heat. Be back in Springdale drinking a beer by the heat.

There's no bad season to visit Zion, weather wise. Summer brings larger crowds, though. Zion is spectacular and my favorite national park. The hike to the top of Angels Landing is challenging but the view (especially during the golden hour) is second to none.

Went to Zion and Bryce Canyon in '04 when we played at Utah. Travel Channel ran specials during the summer about all the National Parks and when they got to Zion and we saw Angel's Landing, we were hooked. Showed up the week after Labor Day, perfect weather and no crowds. First day we check in at the Ranger Station and my wife asks about the hike up to Angel's Landing and how long it would take. Ranger says it is about 2.5 hrs round trip. Wife tells him that is too short so he tells us about a hike that looks down on Angel's Landing. 6 hrs(round trip) and about 3000 vertical feet later(one way), we completed our look down on Angel's Landing. The next day we did the Narrows and Wall St.
All of Southern Utah is fantastic.

TMfrisco said:

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Wife tells him that is too short so he tells us about a hike that looks down on Angel's Landing. 6 hrs(round trip) and about 3000 vertical feet later(one way),
All of Southern Utah is fantastic.

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That is Observation Point you are probably referring to. 2100 feet and 8 miles RT.

Observation

Zion and it's not close. I've tried to describe my experience there to many people, and I fail to do so adequately every time.

We were there in June, and narrowly avoided a brutal heatwave. I'd go earlier than that to play it safe.

Angel's Landing is a must-do hike if you're physically capable.

1. Yosemite is by far and away the best national park in the national park system. words and pictures do not do the place justice....first class hiking all around the park.




2. Glacier
3. Yellowstone/Grand Teton
4. Zion
5. Rocky Mountain
6. Grand Canyon
7. Olympic
8. Bryce
9. Sequoia/Kings Canyon
10. North Cascades or Crater Lake

I have been to over 40 national parks...these 10 have been the most memorable to me...I think after the top 4 or 5 the rest is just up to personal preference...

Leaving April 24th and doing Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches.

Will review when I get back.

mpl35 said:

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TMfrisco said:

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Wife tells him that is too short so he tells us about a hike that looks down on Angel's Landing. 6 hrs(round trip) and about 3000 vertical feet later(one way),
All of Southern Utah is fantastic.

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That is Observation Point you are probably referring to. 2100 feet and 8 miles RT.

Observation

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That was it. Sure seemed like more than 2100ft while we did it!

It's been a while since I originally posted, but thanks to our 9 year old's quest to earn his Junior Ranger badge at every NP and the purchase of a small travel trailer, we've expanded our horizons quite a bit over the last 18 months.

Here is my updated list (with our son's top ten notated in parenthesis)

1. Glacier (3)
2. Acadia
3. Rocky Mountain (2)
4. Mount Rainier (9)
5. Grand Teton (4)
6. Zion
7. Olympic (5)
8. Haleakala (6)
9. Yellowstone (1)
10. Arches
11. Big Bend
12. North Cascades
13. Grand Canyon (10)
14. Volcanoes (7)
15. Black Canyon of the Gunnison
16. Hot Springs (8)
17. Mesa Verde
18. Canyonlands
19. Petrified Forest
20. Carlsbad Cavern

We are definitely mountain people.

My son hasn't been to Acadia - but he has been to Windcave, Badlands, & Teddy Roosevelt, without me (my wife took the kids while I had to fly back home for work before flying back up to re-join them). He said Teddy Roosevelt was his least favorite.

I would say that the top couple of memories are:

• Camping at Kalaloch in Olympic National Park - absolutely stunning
  

• Wild life in Grand Teton (my daughter and I crossed paths with a momma black bear & cub on a trail and then a day or two later my son and I went out super early looking for moose and found one).

• Hiking to Hidden Lake overlook in Glacier - our 6 year old daughter, who is not super into hiking, LOVED it

• Snow shoeing in RMNP

We didn't get to do much in Zion - and will definitely be going back once the kids are older to do Angel's Landing and the Narrows so that is probably artificially out of place.

We are going to make first time visits Joshua Tree and Saguaro next week during spring break - and revisit Petrified Forest (we didn't have much time there on our first visit),

We're also going back to the Grand Canyon in early April because we were lucky enough to get a cabin at Phantom Ranch, so my wife and I are going to hike it and my son and MIL are going to ride the mules. We've also got reservations at Great Sand Dunes for Memorial Day and are planning on doing the Florida parks over Christmas/New Years at the end of the year. Over the summer we're looking at Glacier again and then slipping north of the border to see some of the Canadian Rockies.

Been to and/or hiked in the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Zion, Sequoia/King's Canyon, Death Valley, Big Bend, and Joshua Tree.

My favorite was Yosemite. To me, it's the quintessential National Park. Has everything and is just straight up beautiful. Exactly what I imagined it to be when I went the first time.

AgRyan04 said:

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We are going to make first time visits Joshua Tree and Saguaro next week during spring break - and revisit Petrified Forest (we didn't have much time there on our first visit).

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We may cross paths in AZ! We're hitting up Saguaro, Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, and Death Valley next week. Since June, that'll put us at 10 NP's with our annual pass.

Even with the crowds, Yosemite is hard to beat for me. I love it there. But Sequoia when the sun is going down (and all the day trippers leave) is just phenomenal. I had Crescent Meadow all to myself for about 2 hours one afternoon. Well, me and the bears...

AgRyan04 said:

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We are going to make first time visits Joshua Tree and Saguaro next week during spring break - and revisit Petrified Forest (we didn't have much time there on our first visit),

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Petrified really doesn't take long IMO. I've been 3 times and usually only need 1/2 a day to see everything. Seven Falls via Bear Canyon is a great hike in Tucson (just not in Saguaro itself).

Possibly so....we'll be rolling around with our Casita trailer hitched up so if you see us give a honk and a wave.

We thought about trying to tack Death Valley into our itinerary but couldn't fit it in without taking time away from Joshua Tree, which we weren't willing to do. Just too much distance to cover on the backside of the trip, so we'll just have to take another trip.

We are sliding a day for Guadalupe Mountains in on the front side. I know we won't have enough time but we'll definitely be back there.

We've gotten our money's worth out of the NP pass too. Picked it up last year at the beginning of spring break and have used it for at least 12-14 parks. Gonna have to renew in a few weeks.

Just got back from our trip to the southwest. We hit up Saguaro, Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, and Death Valley.

Grand Canyon was the favorite for obvious reasons...it's the grand f'ing canyon. It was so incredible it didn't seem real. We did a quick walk to Shoshone Point for sunset and had the place to ourselves. We also did a bike ride in on the west side of the park out to Hermit's Nest.

Death Valley was my next favorite. It really over delivered from what I was expecting. Great hikes, beautiful views, and great oppprtunites to learn. I plan on going back and spending more time there and hitting a few spots at sunset to really watch it glow.

Petrified Forest was nice, but it was cold and rainy so we didn't hike Blue Mesa. I'd love to go back to do that but it's a bit far away. Meteor Crater in Winslow was a very cool stop on the way.

Saguaro was ok. You won't need too much time there as it's a lot of one thing...cactus. The Sonoran Desert Museum just a few minutes away was a nice stop, as was the Titan missile Museum about 45 minutes down the road.

Of the parks I've been too:

1.) Denali - getting a clear view of McKinley and seeing multiple grizzlies and moose was one of the most memorable trips I've ever had. I'd love to go back one day.

2.) Yosemite - magical place but was way too crowded when I went, took away from the experience a little.

3.) Grand Canyon - iconic place and views that rival any place on earth.

4.) Volcano's National Park - a neat experience seeing the volcanos and learning about this history of the last eruption

*Going to Rainier in June, looking forward to seeing what that park has in store!

We got back yesterday afternoon....

Guadalupe Mountains - we didn't get to do any real hikes but I could spend 2 or days there hiking

Saguaro - It is only cacti, but they were really cool to see....it was like a pine forest without the canopy

Joshua Tree - this was the highlight of the trip for me....one of my absolute favorite parks (I would put it 4th on my previous list). Jumbo Rocks was my absolute favorite campground ever (edging out Kalaloch in Olympic). We could have scrambled on the rocks exploring for days and days.

Death Valley - we added it at the 11th hour simply to check it off the list - but WOW, it completely caught us by suprise. We're already trying to figure out how to get back.

Petrified Forest - this was a revisit for our son to finish his Jr Ranger book he started last Spring Break....for me, this is still a spend 2 or hours and move on. I could see someone with an interest in geology and fossils really like it.

Next up: Grand Canyon (revisit) in April and Great Sand Dunes over Memorial Day

How is Zion's with kids. I'll have a 9 year old with me and looking at a Thanksgiving trip. Would it be too cold to hike the Narrows? We'd also hit up Bryce.

Or we'd go to Yosemite or Sequoia NP that week. I can't decide.

Also thinking of a Biscayne/Everglades/Dry Tortugas trip if it's good weather over Thanksgiving (if I'm able to snorkel).

I have not hit many yet but If Mt. Rainier is not in the top ten then these others must be stunning. Rainier is incredible.

Big fan of Denali, just wish the mountain was more visible when I was there.

BSD said:

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Death Valley was my next favorite. It really over delivered from what I was expecting. Great hikes, beautiful views, and great oppprtunites to learn. I plan on going back and spending more time there and hitting a few spots at sunset to really watch it glow.

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Agree with all of this. Don't know quite what we were expecting going in other than it was a nice diversion from what was a long Vegas trip, but it definitely was more than what we originally thought. Surprising variety, good hikes, and suuuuuper gorgeous at sunset.

Denali

malenurse said:

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Leaving April 24th and doing Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches.

Will review when I get back.

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what's your itinerary looking like now - almost time! are you flying in or driving?

We just stopped by Mammoth Cave NP this weekend. I loved it. I didn't realize how massive and extensive the cave is until I got there. It's certainly worth the 1.5 hour drive from nashville. A full day is enough but be sure to plan ahead, as all tours have to be guided and sell out in advance.

In the Carolinas for work and was able to stop by the Smokies in between work weeks. Did not disappoint.

nosoupforyou said:

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malenurse said:

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Leaving April 24th and doing Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches.

Will review when I get back.

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what's your itinerary looking like now - almost time! are you flying in or driving?

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Been back about a week. Still organizing pictures and will post a detailed review in a couple of days.

Short answer: Flew to Vegas and rented a car. Hit all 5 NPs in 10 days. Drove 1700 miles and the trip was fantastic!

can't wait to see! I am planning our trip - the dates are set for May 24, 2019 when we fly to Vegas or Phoenix and make the trek (I really want to hit Sedona also) and fly home from Vegas or Denver. Figured we would get an RV - that's a lot of getting in and out of the car for 1 night stays...

appreciate the help!

nosoupforyou said:

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can't wait to see! I am planning our trip - the dates are set for May 24, 2019 when we fly to Vegas or Phoenix and make the trek (I really want to hit Sedona also) and fly home from Vegas or Denver. Figured we would get an RV - that's a lot of getting in and out of the car for 1 night stays...

appreciate the help!

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https://texags.com/forums/54/topics/2950971

BSD said:

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How is Zion's with kids. I'll have a 9 year old with me and looking at a Thanksgiving trip. Would it be too cold to hike the Narrows? We'd also hit up Bryce.

Or we'd go to Yosemite or Sequoia NP that week. I can't decide.

Also thinking of a Biscayne/Everglades/Dry Tortugas trip if it's good weather over Thanksgiving (if I'm able to snorkel).

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You would not be able to do the Narrows that time of the year. I dont believe it is open first of all... however, if it was, you would not be able to do most of the hike without having to cross water. It is truly a riverbed hike. It is possible it will be frozen that time of year as well.

When we were there in September, the water was very cold and the upper elevations got in the 30s at night.

Thanks. But since I posted that I've done a little research and found that it is open year round and several outfitters that have dry suits for rent. They've told me kids do the hike often in the fall. So it is possible, I just don't know if I want to take a 9yr old on that kind of hike or save it for another time. The plan as of now is to do it.