Welcome!

Today I was informed that 'm a threepeat NPS lottery loser lol

Hoping I would get a permit for Angels Landing, I was planning to do an out-and-back 10.30-mile hike that would cover Angels Landing and part of the West Rim.

What hike would you recommend to replace Angels Landing (NOT Subway)?

I'm looking for great views and a thrill similar to what I was expecting from Angels Landing. The trailhead would need to be accessible by tram/shutter or sedan.

Thank you in advance

I'm finally planning my next NP getaway, and I've landed on Great Basin for late Sept. I know it's a very high-elevation park, so I was curious if the snow already starts hitting around that time and should I expect certain road/trail closures, or should it still be fully open? Thanks in advance!

My girlfriend and I are visiting a total of 4 US National Parks (Zion, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier, plus Banff in Canada) going from south to north about a week from now. Neither of us have done a road trip through these parks and I want to ensure we will be able to do all of our planned activities without running into issues of permits, parking, or camping. General itinerary:

Zion

• Riverside walk to The Narrows
• Angels landing (if we win day-before lottery)
• Weeping rock
• Canyon overlook
• Car camping @ Kolob Terrace Road

Tetons

• Mormon Row
• Schwabacher Landing
• Jenny Lake Loop Trail
• Short section of Cascade Canyon
• Phelps lake (cliff jumping)
• Pilgrim Creek Rd
• Car camping @ Shadow Mountain

Yellowstone

• West Thumb Basin
• Old Faithful
• Grand Prismatic Springs
• Overlook hike + Fairy Falls
• Steamboat Geyser
• Mammoth Hot Springs
• Car Camping @ Forest road 3243

Glacier

• Going to the Sun Rd (east entrance so no permit needed apparently?)

• Getting up before 6am to bypass reservations

• St Mary Falls Trail

• Logan Pass (Hidden Lake and Highline Trail)

  • May try to get backcountry camping permits

• Trail of Cedars to Avalanche Lake

• Car camping @ Lower Saint Mary Overlook

We have an annual America the Beautiful pass and plan on going to bed and getting up early everyday to beat the crowds. We are car camping at dispersed camping spots close to each park. Are there any things you wished you had known before your first time, or things that delayed plans because you weren't expecting them? This can be anything from not knowing about reservations to not giving yourself enough time, and everything in between. Looking for any and all advice!

Hi everybody,

We (my friend and I) are planning a road trip in October to visit the western national parks. Since it's our first time in the US, we would appreciate any advice and recommendations you have (tours, hikes, stops on the road, accommodations, permits and so on) for our itinerary.

We know we need permits for Angels Landing and Subway in Zion and the Wave. Is there anything else we need a permit for?

If you have any restaurant/food recommendations, we would highly appreciate that!

Thanks in advance!

Day 1: Arriving in Las Vegas, staying one night.

Day 2: Starting the day slow. Driving from Vegas via Valley of Fire to La Verkin (staying there for three nights).

Day 3: Zion NP: Angels Landing if we get a permit, or another hike.

Day 4: Zion NP: The Narrows.

Day 5: Zion NP: Maybe a short hike and then via scenic drive to Bryce Canyon City (staying there for two nights).

Day 6: Bryce Canyon NP: Hiking and catching sunrise and sunset.

Day 7: In the morning, driving from Bryce Canyon via Lower Calf Creek Falls (go for a swim) to Torrey. Exploring Capitol Reef by car and a little bit on foot. Staying for one night.

Day 8: Doing a hike in Capitol Reef NP and in the afternoon driving to Moab (staying for two nights).

Day 9: Arches NP. Relaxed day.

Day 10: Canyonlands NP with the car and maybe a short hike or Dead Horse State Park. Afternoon drive to Monument Valley for a Sunset Tour. Staying near Monument Valley for one night.
Note: Canyonlands is not that important to us.

Day 11: Catching sunrise over Monument Valley. Driving to Page. Taking a tour through Antelope Canyon. Staying in Page for one night.

Day 12: Visiting Horseshoe Bend and Petroglyphs. Relaxed day. In the evening, driving to Tusayan. Staying there for two nights.

Day 13: Grand Canyon NP: Hiking down to Havasupai Garden. If we are lucky and win the lottery, we want to stay at the Phantom Ranch.

Day 14: Grand Canyon NP: Doing a rim hike. Seeing the Grand Canyon from above. Afternoon/evening drive to a motel on Route 66. Staying one night.

Day 15: From Route 66 via Hoover Dam to Furnace Creek. Long drive. Exploring the NP a little in the afternoon or the next morning. Stargazing in the evening.

Day 16: To Vegas. Enjoying the city in the afternoon/evening.

Day 17: Flight back from Vegas.

Hi,

I have travelled a lot, so not easily surprised. I recently went to Shenandoah National Park and it was the most disappointing experience. I didn't find it had anything remarkable or special, it's something I've seen several times in other places and without the need to pay for it.

I am now planning a trip around Boston and wondering if it's worth going to Acadia or will I end up regretting it like I did with Shenandoah? Is there really something that's worth it/really different?

Thanks!

Howdy!! A few friends and I will be staying in Forks and we want to visit this park while there. I know there is about an hour drive. I just have a few questions. Are there any recommendations for areas to visit while we are there? Can you get to decent areas on the side were staying on. I know some people recommended staying in port Angeles would that make a difference in our trip? Hmm I have more and will probably ask as I go we will be going in early October. Any advice or help is welcomed!! Thank you for reading and helping me out!

Girlfriend and I camped in New River Gorge at one of the established campgrounds last year. We fell in love with it, and are planning on many more camping trips. Although we’re still novice campers, the idea of backcountry/dispersed camping has really interested us, mainly for the isolation aspect (not looking up at any time and seeing 7-8 other groups within immediate proximity) and also being able to set up camp somewhere a little more scenic than what the established sites have to offer.

I’ve done some research and I’m familiar with the fact that every park has its own backcountry camping rules (distance from water sources, trailheads, roads, etc.) Our problem is, we don’t even really know where to start here.

-How do people begin a backcountry trip? Are you supposed to begin on an established trail, and at some point just hop off and find somewhere out of view to set up? Or do you pull off to the side of the road and just venture out from there?

-Where do you leave a vehicle when you’re out for a couple days in the backcountry?

-Is it standard to leave a site up for the day while you’re out hiking trails in the park? Not sure we’re really interested in “backpacking”, more finding a beautiful spot out of the way to set up while we explore trails during the day.

I do understand that these questions might seem a little foolish, just keep in mind that we’re both very new to this and just want to do things correctly :)

Hello everyone! I'm an Italian tourist and I'll hike in the Coyote Buttes North with my gf the 9th September, anyone will be here in the same day? Hoping to share this experience with someone because of the difficult of the trail and the high temperatures. Thanks everyone!

Yosemite Valley via USGS c1994 + Heinrich Berann illustration c1985.

Im curious on what tour of the Mesa Verde dwellings is the best/most comprehensive. Anyone that's been before or has some tips feel free to drop a comment.

Either way, check em out. Bayfield is stunning and really all of Lake Superior and the Northwoods is such an underrated area of the U.S.

Shout out Duluth/North Shore, Minocqua, Keeweenaw/Copper County, Voyageurs, and a lot more :)

https://x.com/journalsentinel/status/1816428334504386641?s=46&t=ces5HA1KGTagMpnD4smmpA