One of the first questions I am usually asked, is which National Park is my favorite park to visit. That is, indeed, a very tough question for me to answer. Most of the National Parks in America are very beautiful, quite different, and a lot of fun to visit. The small towns that have built up around each National Park are also quite unique. They have wonderful restaurants and diners, great tours available, and fun places to shop in each town. Also, the people we have met (so far) have been wonderful and kind.
So, I guess here is my (very long) answer:
I really enjoy most of the National Parks I have visited; however, (for me and my husband), there is just something extra special about southern Utah and northern Arizona. The “Mighty Five” National Parks in Utah are spectacular and whenever we get the chance to stop and visit one (or more) of them, we do! The Grand Canyon in Arizona is very spectacular, and you should (at least once in your lifetime) go visit this park. (FYI: We have visited both rims of the Grand Canyon: the more remote North Rim (once) and the highly developed South Rim (many times). There is also a very beautiful “Navajo Tribal Park” (that is not a National Park) that is my favorite place to visit. It is called “Monument Valley”!
Also included on my list are the beautiful National Parks in Colorado and, the incredible National Parks in the Dakotas! South Dakota has so many beautiful towns and historic places you can visit (including Mount Rushmore) that are both amazing and fun! I also love visiting: Volcanoes National Park on the big island of Hawaii; the beautiful Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park near Jackson, Wyoming; and, Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park in California. So, you see, I have a very long list of “favorite” National Parks. As an extra “shout out,” do not forget to visit the wonderful
Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico and all the wonderful State Parks around this beautiful nation. I absolutely love Custer State Park in South Dakota and Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah (near Moab). So, when you are planning your vacation trip, do not forget to look up “state parks” in the area you will be visiting. You may be very surprised at how beautiful and less crowded the state parks are compared to the National Parks.
Also, remember that it all depends on how much time you have while traveling and how much time you want to spend at each park. (So, do some research on the areas you intend to visit 3 to 6 months before you plan your trip.) My husband and I love to stay a few days at each park we visit and then move on to the next one. Some people stay an entire week at one park. It is entirely up to you! We are, however, not wilderness campers. We always stay at local hotels (or amazing Lodges) in all the wonderful little towns around each National Park.

So stay tuned, and head over to Alma's Blog and enjoy! I will post a new trip each month. You may reach out to me here if you would like!

I will continue to post new trips every month or two. You may reach out to me here if you would like! So, what are you waiting for…Start planning that exciting trip today!

ALMA SUGGESTS: Before traveling to any National Park in America, check online to see if you need “Timed Entry Tickets.” If you do, you will need to purchase these tickets in advance online. 

They are not expensive; however, some of the more prominent, more crowded National Parks request a Timed Entry Ticket before they allow you to enter the Park. My husband and I are Seniors and, therefore, have the America the Beautiful Senior Pass. If you are 62 years or older, this pass is a must! You will save a lot of money by purchasing just one of these tickets that allows two people entrance into every National Park in America for a one-time fee. (Visit:  www.usparkpass.com). Then, I suggest that when you finally arrive at your National Park, please stop by the Visitor’s Center. The Park’s Visitor Center will have a lot of information for you, including paper maps that indicate “easy, moderate, and strenuous” trails you may want to hike if you so desire. If you are not a hiker, no problem! The maps are also an excellent way to determine where the various “viewpoint” areas are located within each Park. Some viewpoints are so easy to hike; they are also wheelchair accessible. 

You do not have to be a “hiker” to enjoy the National Parks in America! Also, the Park Rangers in each of the Parks are very friendly and are happy to help you if you have questions regarding a particular trail.

Also, if you plan to hike, please always wear proper attire. A good, comfortable pair of hiking shoes or “rough-soled” sneakers are a must! Do not wear flip-flops! And, before hiking any trail, take a backpack filled with power bars and plenty of water. 

We also include in our backpack: a flashlight, bug spray, duct tape, sunscreen, rain ponchos, a lightweight windbreaker jacket, a compass, some small rope, antiseptic to use for cuts, paper towels, bear spray (if you are in bear country!) and a small (sharp) pocketknife. We also wear hats and take hiking poles to help steady ourselves on rocky terrain and challenging trails. The hiking poles have been convenient in several National Parks we have hiked. Remember to be ready for anything out there in the wilderness. And, just for your information, do not rely on GPS on your cell phones.  Make sure you have a paper map with you at all times!  We have often noticed that our cell phones do not work because most of the National Parks are located in very remote areas. The only signals we have been able to get on our cell phones (in some parks) have been on the top of one of the mountains.