Visitors
may flock to the parks on the list above, but the good news
is that others are relatively free of crowds, leaving more
room for solitary adventure, quiet family outings and undisturbed
wildlife. Below are a few possibilities to plan your next
escape.
Nez
Perce National Historical Park (Idaho, Oregon, Washington
and Montana)
These
38 sites in the valleys, prairies, mountains and plateaus
of the inland northwest honor the history of the Nez Perce
people as they mixed with explorers, fur traders, missionaries,
settlers, soldiers, gold miners and farmers. Several sites
feature interpretive trails, and visitors will often see golden
eagles, marmots, black bears and mule deer.
Isle
Royale (Michigan, Minnesota)
You'll
escape crowds of people in these wild woods of the North,
but encountering crowds of wolves, otters and moose is another
thing. Roadless Isle Royale is a 45-mile long wilderness archipelago
in the heart of Lake Superior, gloriously threaded with 165
miles of scenic hiking trails connecting historic lighthouses
and shipwrecks, ancient copper mining sites and plenty of
spots to observe wildlife.
Catoctin
Mountain Park (Maryland)
You
will not see the President on Catoctin Mountain, for his nearby,
well-known retreat, Camp David, is closed to the public. But
you will see plenty of white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and
woodpeckers among the beauty of this rolling forest. Camping
and hiking dominate the minds of visitors here, with relaxation
in resplendent nature the ultimate goal for presidents and
common folk alike.
When
to Go
Even
though parks are open year round, I suggest you check with
each individual park to confirm that it will be open to the
public. The summer and winter months are generally the most
popular times, depending upon when the scenery excels. To
avoid the crowds, gain better access to the viewing areas
and enjoy more time in leisure pursuits, travel during the
spring and fall, as the rising and falling foliage will add
to the splendor of the landscape.
Peak
periods also follow school schedules, so avoid winter break,
spring break and the summer holidays. Visiting during the
week will garner you much more open spaces than weekends.
That said, traveling during peak times, like most of us are
forced to do, should never deter you from visiting, for the
parks are well worth the trip 365 days a year.
Where
to Stay
Deciding
how you will spend your nights in America's National Parks
depends mostly on your individual needs and desires. Camping
is the most popular option, whether in a tent, RV or in the
backcountry. Most parks have cottages, cabins, lake houses
or houseboats to rent. There are even hotels often located
inside the park for those whose idea of roughing it is being
forced to drink instant coffee instead of their usual blend
from Starbucks.
Each
park will have a different mix of options, so talk to your
travel agent to see what's available. And as with any trip,
book your accommodations as far in advance as possible. More
people want to sleep in National Parks than the parks can
accommodate, forcing park officials to ration campground sites
and backcountry permits.
Fun
for the Whole Family? Children, Yes. Pets, No.
National
Parks are perfect for kids. Most of the larger parks run Junior
Ranger Programs, allowing kids to participate in fun activities
while learning about the area's natural habitat and historic
significance. Other parks offer nature walks and wildlife
talks specifically geared towards children, to show them that
nature has more to offer than video games.
While
kids thrive in the wide-open expanse of National Parks, pets
do not. Simply put, the wilderness is not pet-friendly. Some
hiking trails prohibit all pets, while others demand that
they remained leashed. Bears, wolves and mountain lions prey
on small animals and will be attracted to your trail or tent
if you bring little Fifi along.
General
Tips
The
first thing you should always do upon arriving is stop in
at the Visitors Centers. Inside, the friendly park rangers
will have the latest information about safety hazards, closures,
weather and wildlife notices.
Always
stay on the trails when walking and hiking to protect both
you from the wilderness and the wilderness from you.
Clean
up after yourself. We all must do our part to preserve the
parks, so that everyone can experience the wonders they have
to offer for years to come
Get
out of your car. Too many people drive through the parks,
stepping out here and there for a quick view. To truly experience
the park, get out and find a hiking trail.
Save
on park fees by getting a pass. A National Park Pass costs
$50 and is good at all parks for one year. This will allow
you to pass through the entrance gates more quickly and motivate
you to visit more parks throughout the year.
388
Ways to Say, "Wow"
The
United States goes to great lengths to preserve the best of
its natural and manmade heritage. With 388 National Parks
to choose from, millions of Americans enjoy this privilege,
while millions more are welcomed to explore.
Contact
a trusted travel agent to help you plan your visit to one
or several of our wonderful National Parks. Travel agents
can help you choose which park to visit, where to stay, and
what you can do when you get there. And since most parks are
unfortunately not in your neighborhood, travel agents can
get you there with little cost and littler worries.
