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News Stories Tagged national parks

Trip of a Lifetime: Rafting the Grand Canyon

June 30, 2010
Posted in Life-Changing Trips

Most visitors to the Grand Canyon are lucky if they even get to glimpse a sliver of the Colorado River below during their whirlwind three-hour tour of the South Rim. However, putting yourself at the mercy of the river and exploring the depths of the canyon from aboard a raft is an entirely different, and otherworldly, experience. No other rafting trip combines so many days of staggering scenery, whitewater thrills, and magical hikes. ... (More)

15 Top Scenic Drives in the National Parks

June 07, 2010 | Fodor's Editors
Posted in Trip Ideas & Itineraries

It's amazing how much you can see from your car. Whether you're in Maine, where you can be at the top of Cadillac Mountain when the sun's rays first hit the United States, or driving along the world's highest continuously-paved highway in the Rocky Mountains, the incredible accessibility of the American wilderness will blow you away. Here are some of our favorite U.S. national park drives.... (More)

4 Easy Green Tips for Eco-Friendly National Park Visits

April 20, 2010
Posted in Practical Travel Tips

National Parks are green travel and eco-tourism hotspots. Just by paying your entrance fee, you're supporting the park system and helping to preserve it for future visitors. But some parks are doing even more in the name of sustainability. Here are some eco-tips to help make your next national park visit even more green.... (More)

National Parks in a Day: 5 Top Parks, 5 Single-Day Tours

April 06, 2010 | Fodor's Editors
Posted in Trip Ideas & Itineraries

Road-tripping through California? Considering a jaunt out to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas? If you're like many travelers, you love the National Parks but you don't have more than a day to devote to each one. Time is of the essence. So, without further ado, here's how we recommend visiting five of the west coast's top national parks—each in a single day.... (More)

5 Best National Parks for a Sunny Winter Escape

February 09, 2010
Posted in Trip Ideas & Itineraries

You don't have to wait until summer vacation for your National Park getaway. If you start planning a winter trip to the right one now you'll be packing your bathing suit, not your hat and gloves. Indeed, some locations can be too hot to visit in the summer months—so now is the perfect time to go.... (More)

Arizona's Other National Parks: Beyond the Grand Canyon

October 13, 2009
Posted in Trip Ideas & Itineraries

With so many natural wonders in one state, it's easy to overlook some of the smaller parks with lesser designations. In short: go beyond the Grand Canyon! ... (More)

Interview: Ken Burns Shares His National Park Experiences

September 23, 2009
Posted in Practical Travel Tips

Fodor's recently spoke with Ken Burns about the new National Parks documentary. Here, he shares his most treasured hiking experience, his pick for must-see park, and more.... (More)

National Parks: Fall Road Trip to the Southwest's Four Corners Region

September 16, 2009
Posted in Trip Ideas & Itineraries

There are so many great parks in the Southwest—Zion, Bryce, Arches, Mesa Verde, and the Grand Canyon are the most popular—it can be hard to choose which one(s) to visit. Luckily, now is the perfect time to go—and you can probably see them all, by focusing your road trip on the Four Corners region.... (More)

Find Your Perfect National Park for Fall: Foliage Spotlight

September 08, 2009
Posted in Trip Ideas & Itineraries

Vibrant red and yellows combined with cooler temperatures make Fall the perfect time to visit many National Parks. While the Eastern parks have the advantage here, golden aspens also attract leaf peepers to western parks too. Here's the breakdown on some of the best National Parks for autumn visits.... (More)

National Park Spotlight: Hike-In Lodging

August 18, 2009
Posted in Trip Ideas & Itineraries

Some National Parks have unique backcountry lodging options: ranches, camps, and even chalets. Staying in one is somewhere between staying in a campground and staying in a great lodge. After a rewarding—and often challenging—trail, you'll leave the crowds behind and get closer to nature while still having a bed to sleep in.... (More)