Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns’ latest epic, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea," premieres on PBS on Sunday, Sept. 27. If the six-episode series makes you long for a trip to one of America’s superb national parks, check out Bing Travel’s photo gallery to get ideas on where to go. But if you’re still undecided, here are just a few reasons to make a national park the focal point of your next vacation.
They’re gorgeous. From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans, countless acres of America’s most stunning landscapes have been set aside as public lands, free from development. I dare you to visit Grand Teton in Wyoming or the Grand Canyon and not be overwhelmed at their natural beauty.
They’re cheap. Park admission fees range from free to $25 for as many people as you can stuff into your car. And the entrance fee is good for a week. Compare that to a ski resort or a theme park, where a single day-pass can cost $50 per person or more, and you’ll see why the parks are one of travel’s best bargains.
They’re living history. Many of the parks preserve landscapes as they have looked for centuries. At Mesa Verde in Colorado, Wyoming’s Yellowstone or even the Everglades in Florida, it’s easy to imagine Native Americans or the earliest European settlers encountering these very same vistas. Some of the great park lodges — like Bryce Canyon Lodge or The Ahwahnee at Yosemite — survive as architectural reminders of a later chapter in U.S. history, an era when Americans built soaring public spaces and it seemed that almost anything was possible.
They’re free from crowds. No, not at the most popular turnouts in the most popular parks at the most popular times of year. But visit outside the months of July and August and — most importantly — get out of your car, and you’ll be practically alone with nature. On one October weekend, my wife and I hiked for four hours to a clearing with unimpeded views of Yosemite’s Half Dome, without seeing a single other person the entire time.
Why do you visit national parks, and which ones are your favorites? Share your thoughts with other travelers in the comments section.
— John Rosenthal
John Rosenthal is a frequent contributor to Bing Travel based in Santa Monica, Calif.
National parks are great. You can purchase a senior ticket that is good for life at any national park. I use the ticket all the time in Colorado and Texas.
My three favorite Parks are Zion in Utah, Olympic in Washington, and Glacier in Montana. Extremely different examples of breathtaking beauty. The diversity of amazing places in the United States is just incredible--the next time you're planning your vacation, don't think you need to leave the country or go to a city to visit a place worth seeing.
Quite useful information
National parks are more than great.every body can enjoy the life there.
National parks are a great way to view nature. advisable for all.
National Parks, for that matter all natural areas, make incredible places to visit for all reasons noted- scenery, value, relaxation, and many other benefits. One area that is not noted for many in the US is visiting our neighbor to the North- Canada. We live near the 49th parallel and have driven north to the Canadian Rockies many times. First we did it for the exchange rate and saving $$. Now we continue because we have found some less crowded areas like Fernie, British Columbia that offer incredible scenery, low cost lodging options (or camping) and easy access to hiking and biking trails. Also we have visited in the winter and love the skiing at Fernie Alpine Resort. You can't beat the natural areas that Canada offers. I found some interesting info and images at www.skircr.com/matts-blog check it out
Exploring wild sanctuaries and jungles can be a lifetime memory if you are an adventure seeker or have deep passion for wild adventure or photography.Wildlife tour are sure to be the best in terms of adventure.Truly agree with you. I too had a great experience with www.indiawildliferesorts.com It offers complete information about indian wildife ,national parks and bird sanctuaries.
I think the best deal is to buy annual pass
www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm
As if you probably will be keen to visit other National Parks after you'll visit one of them
Whether you're into camping, serious hiking, and off-road trekking, or you're more likely to stay in a romantic lodge, check out the park museums, and spend most of your time in your car, you'll be happy to know that most national parks offer a balance of both mellow and rigorous diversions.
The parks described below offer a broad range of activities. Some of them can be visited as day trips from nearby gay resorts or gay-popular cities, while others require plenty of time and planning. Whatever your level of interest in the outdoors, you're likely to delight in at least one of these adventures.
Pretty cool stuff
reasons why we have national parks
Which national park do you think is the most beautiful of all the parks in the world?
