Which National Park(s)?
Dec 21st, 2005, 05:14 PM
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Which National Park(s)?
Husband & I are coming from SC to see USA west for 1st time. We're mid-30's, he likes taking pictures & I'd like to see views & perhaps fish. June. 10 days tops. I plan to rent a car from an airpt. out there... I realize the great National Parks spread among several states and many miles. I though of flying to San Fran. and taking a day in Sonoma or Napa, then driving to Yosemite. Where else can we go that's not more than a few hrs. drive? DH doesn't like Vegas. 
I'd like to see the Grand Canyon. Also, it seems hard to see CA and also Yellowstone in the same trip. I think we can fly out of a different city. (Not there $ yet...) Suggest what we should do. If anything is important, great photo ops is #1. Lodging & food can take a back seat this time. THANKS!
I'd like to see the Grand Canyon. Also, it seems hard to see CA and also Yellowstone in the same trip. I think we can fly out of a different city. (Not there $ yet...) Suggest what we should do. If anything is important, great photo ops is #1. Lodging & food can take a back seat this time. THANKS!
Dec 21st, 2005, 05:22 PM
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Muir Woods and Point Reyes National Seashore are both gorgeous and short drives from SF. We went to Yosemite/Napa/San Fran all in one trip and found it very do-able. Yosemite can be beastly crowded.
Dec 21st, 2005, 05:38 PM
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If it were me, I'd fly into either Denver or Las Vegas, and drive to the other city for the flight back. In between, you can see the Rockies and a good sampling of the desert Southwest (Utah parks, Grand Canyon). It is probably about an 8-10 hour drive from Denver to LV, but of course it would be broken up into shorter segments.
The only reason I suggest this, rather than giving suggestions for CA parks, is because in my mind CA isn't real representative of the West. I don't know that you'd get any sort of a feel for it by staying in CA, or even just by taking a side trip to the Grand Canyon. But maybe that's just me.
And no, it's really not feasible to see Yellowstone and CA in the same 10-day trip. It's possible, but only in the sense that almost anything is possible.
The only reason I suggest this, rather than giving suggestions for CA parks, is because in my mind CA isn't real representative of the West. I don't know that you'd get any sort of a feel for it by staying in CA, or even just by taking a side trip to the Grand Canyon. But maybe that's just me.
And no, it's really not feasible to see Yellowstone and CA in the same 10-day trip. It's possible, but only in the sense that almost anything is possible.
Dec 21st, 2005, 07:47 PM
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May I be contraversial and say that the Grand Canyon is not all it's cracked up to be, unless you plan on really getting down and dirty and hiking down into it? If you're not into hard core hiking, I would argue that it's boring and you get the gist from movies, post cards, etc.
Now, if you're dead-set on the Grand Canyon, I'd recommend driving from there to Utah to see Bryce Canyon and Zion-- both SPECTACULAR parks. Then head on up to Yosemite and Napa. Or start in Northern California and wind your way down to Utah and Arizona.
The Rockies are supposed to be AMAZING, but I've never been, so I can't speak to that experience.
Now, if you're dead-set on the Grand Canyon, I'd recommend driving from there to Utah to see Bryce Canyon and Zion-- both SPECTACULAR parks. Then head on up to Yosemite and Napa. Or start in Northern California and wind your way down to Utah and Arizona.
The Rockies are supposed to be AMAZING, but I've never been, so I can't speak to that experience.
Dec 21st, 2005, 08:03 PM
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I would suggest that you do a loop from Salt lake City. Either visit the southern Utah National Parks (a selection from Cedar Breaks, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, the north rim of the Grand Canyon) or go north and east and do a selection from Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain National Park, Dinosaur National Monument. Another possibility is to go from Las Vegas (just as a landing point) to Albuquerque and see some of the southern Utah NPs and some of the Indian ruins including Mesa Verde. Then fly home from Albuquerque (although that may incur a heafty drop-off fee on the rental car).
Dec 21st, 2005, 08:23 PM
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Circle routes, to and from the same airport, will save you on the rental car drop fee.
I disagree fully with the comment about the Grand Canyon. There is plenty to see along the South Rim, particularly if you take the West Rim Drive on the shuttle bus, and go to Yavapi Point, also with the shuttle.
I found studying the geology of the canyon to be fascinating. I got a geologic stratigraphic map, and with binoculars, I tried to detect where one rock layer transcended into the other.
Also, trying to sight along the Bright Angel Fault, a major crack in the earth's crust wherein the layers of the canyon's rocks are offset by several feet, was interesting. Try and envisage the force required to move that much rock vertically and cause a major crack to develop!!
If you decide to fly into San Francisco, take time to see some of the city. It is one of America's most interesting cities.
From San Fran there is lovely circle route you can take over to Yosemite National Park. From Yosemite, exit via Tioga Pass, drive to Lake Tahoe, continue on to Mt. Lassen, Mt. Shasta, and then head north to Crater Lake in Oregon. From Crater Lake head over to the Oregon Coast and drive south toward Brooking and return to San Francisco via the Redwood Highway and visit the various redwood groves along that route.
It is a fairly slow drive, particularly on a weekend, so allow time to return to the airport for your trip home.
I think you can get in quite a bit of sight seeing on that route.
The Oregon Coast is beautiful. The scenery ranges from high rocky headlands, to rough surf, to sandy beaches.
I disagree fully with the comment about the Grand Canyon. There is plenty to see along the South Rim, particularly if you take the West Rim Drive on the shuttle bus, and go to Yavapi Point, also with the shuttle.
I found studying the geology of the canyon to be fascinating. I got a geologic stratigraphic map, and with binoculars, I tried to detect where one rock layer transcended into the other.
Also, trying to sight along the Bright Angel Fault, a major crack in the earth's crust wherein the layers of the canyon's rocks are offset by several feet, was interesting. Try and envisage the force required to move that much rock vertically and cause a major crack to develop!!
If you decide to fly into San Francisco, take time to see some of the city. It is one of America's most interesting cities.
From San Fran there is lovely circle route you can take over to Yosemite National Park. From Yosemite, exit via Tioga Pass, drive to Lake Tahoe, continue on to Mt. Lassen, Mt. Shasta, and then head north to Crater Lake in Oregon. From Crater Lake head over to the Oregon Coast and drive south toward Brooking and return to San Francisco via the Redwood Highway and visit the various redwood groves along that route.
It is a fairly slow drive, particularly on a weekend, so allow time to return to the airport for your trip home.
I think you can get in quite a bit of sight seeing on that route.
The Oregon Coast is beautiful. The scenery ranges from high rocky headlands, to rough surf, to sandy beaches.
Dec 22nd, 2005, 01:39 AM
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We have visited most of the National parks and for a 10 day trip I would suggest to fly to either Las Vegas or Phoenix and return by way of Salt L.City or Denver.It will be very hectic but you could get an idea of the parks of Utah,Arizona.Bryce and Zion are wonderful but should be experienced by making long walks away from the parking lots.The parks around Moab are great too. Arches, Canyonlands...Also Grand canyon merits a 2 day visit at least. If possible visit Monument valley,Mesa Verde. Oh there's so much to see. I'm retired so I have no time limit and have time to plan my trips.Paul
Dec 22nd, 2005, 04:46 AM
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WFT,
Yosemite is the most pictuesque NP in the US however if you like to fish, forget it. I too hate Las Vegas and prefer the wilderness. With that in mind, I would pick Yellowstone where fishing is outstanding and photo Ops are terrific. I backpacked so my experiences will differ from others. I also like the Napa/Sonoma valley too but for different reasons. San Francisco is wonderful and has many interesting short day trips to Redwoods, ocean and salt water fishing. In my mind traveling "slow" is more enjoyable ie, not trying to do everything at once. In your thirties you both have many more years to explore so my advice would be to do the more strenuous adventures now. The comments about the Beartooth Wilderness are accurate but to really get a taste... get out in it. Here's a teaser. http://bigskyfishing.com/
Yosemite is the most pictuesque NP in the US however if you like to fish, forget it. I too hate Las Vegas and prefer the wilderness. With that in mind, I would pick Yellowstone where fishing is outstanding and photo Ops are terrific. I backpacked so my experiences will differ from others. I also like the Napa/Sonoma valley too but for different reasons. San Francisco is wonderful and has many interesting short day trips to Redwoods, ocean and salt water fishing. In my mind traveling "slow" is more enjoyable ie, not trying to do everything at once. In your thirties you both have many more years to explore so my advice would be to do the more strenuous adventures now. The comments about the Beartooth Wilderness are accurate but to really get a taste... get out in it. Here's a teaser. http://bigskyfishing.com/
Dec 22nd, 2005, 05:53 AM
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If you really want Yellowstone and the Tetons, I would suggest you combine that with a trip to the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Devil's Tower, and the South Dakota Badlands. The trip through the Bighorn mountains in Wyoming is beautiful. And don't forget the Bear Tooth Highway!
I like the suggestions above that you fly into Salt Lake City and do the southern Utah parks. They have the most variety and for a first-timer, they will be a great beginning into the west.
If you do the Grand Canyon, don't limit yourself to national parks. Arizona is full of wonderful national monuments and the Navajo Historical Parks, such as Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly. You could also go south to Tucson to the Saguaro NP and even over into White Sands, NM.
Once you've been in the west, you'll return again and again, so don't try to see it all at once.
I like the suggestions above that you fly into Salt Lake City and do the southern Utah parks. They have the most variety and for a first-timer, they will be a great beginning into the west.
If you do the Grand Canyon, don't limit yourself to national parks. Arizona is full of wonderful national monuments and the Navajo Historical Parks, such as Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly. You could also go south to Tucson to the Saguaro NP and even over into White Sands, NM.
Once you've been in the west, you'll return again and again, so don't try to see it all at once.
Dec 22nd, 2005, 06:37 AM
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The west is a BIG area and the places you want to see are spead far a part. I know you have been giving a lot of other parks to see, but keep in mind that with only 10 days you are going to be in the vehicle a lot of the time unless you narrow down the parks!
Yosemite is beautiful and the waterfalls will still be going in June but it's a long way to other parks. In June there is a chance that the high country won't be open yet.
Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons make a wonderful destination for 10 days. I love taking pictures in Yellowstone. There is so much more to the park than just Old Faithful. I know there is fishing in Yellowstone.
I also disagree with the poster that says that the Grand Canyon is boring if you don't hike into it. A bonus of the Grand Canyon is it's closeness to other fantastic picture taking places. Monument Valley, Glen Canyon National Recreational Area (Lake Powell which I hear is excellent for fishing!) , Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park.
You are young, so hopefully you can make other trips out west.
Utahtea
Yosemite is beautiful and the waterfalls will still be going in June but it's a long way to other parks. In June there is a chance that the high country won't be open yet.
Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons make a wonderful destination for 10 days. I love taking pictures in Yellowstone. There is so much more to the park than just Old Faithful. I know there is fishing in Yellowstone.
I also disagree with the poster that says that the Grand Canyon is boring if you don't hike into it. A bonus of the Grand Canyon is it's closeness to other fantastic picture taking places. Monument Valley, Glen Canyon National Recreational Area (Lake Powell which I hear is excellent for fishing!) , Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park.
You are young, so hopefully you can make other trips out west.
Utahtea
Dec 22nd, 2005, 06:52 AM
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We're headed West in February to take in several national parks. Thanks for ideas. BTW, our library has an excellent new guidebook on the NPs(don't have the title in hand). Also videos.
We can endorse beauty of Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, and others...looking forward to the Grand Canyon, Bryce and more. Yes, lots of driving out West but wonderful scenery.
ozarksbill
We can endorse beauty of Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, and others...looking forward to the Grand Canyon, Bryce and more. Yes, lots of driving out West but wonderful scenery.
ozarksbill
Dec 22nd, 2005, 03:34 PM
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Wow. Fodor's folks are the best! Thank you all. I don't know which option we'll choose, but it looks like I can't lose! More replies are welcome. Links to pictures would be welcome. By the way, SC is lovely if you ever plan on visiting the east coast.
Dec 22nd, 2005, 04:01 PM
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This report might interest you, although the route does not really cover the best known National Parks.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...1&tid=34540668
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...1&tid=34540668
Apr 27th, 2006, 12:28 PM
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Our newspaper had a list of the most popular national parks in 2005 with visitor numbers:
1. Great Smoky Mnt Nat. Pk....9 mil.
2. Grand Canyon Nat. Pk...4.4 mil
3. Yosemite Nat. Pk...3.3 mil.
4. Olympic Nat. Pk...3.1 mil
5. Yellowstone...2.8 mil.
6. Rocky Mnt. Nat. Pk...2.7 mil.
7. Zion Nat. Pk...2.6 mil.
8. Cuyahoga Valley Nat. Pk...2.5 mil
9. Grand Teton Nat. Pk...2.4 mil.
10. Acadia Nat. Pk...2 mil.
We've been thinking about Great Smoky Mnt. but gosh...what crowds! I'll post this along with comments previously made.
ozarksbill
1. Great Smoky Mnt Nat. Pk....9 mil.
2. Grand Canyon Nat. Pk...4.4 mil
3. Yosemite Nat. Pk...3.3 mil.
4. Olympic Nat. Pk...3.1 mil
5. Yellowstone...2.8 mil.
6. Rocky Mnt. Nat. Pk...2.7 mil.
7. Zion Nat. Pk...2.6 mil.
8. Cuyahoga Valley Nat. Pk...2.5 mil
9. Grand Teton Nat. Pk...2.4 mil.
10. Acadia Nat. Pk...2 mil.
We've been thinking about Great Smoky Mnt. but gosh...what crowds! I'll post this along with comments previously made.
ozarksbill
