Welcome!

Last minute RV rental trip coming from Phoenix; didn’t think it would be so crowed this late in season, but looks like all the campsites are reserved; is this expected? Any recommendations? Of where to look? BLM near by?

Good day all,

A couple of friends and I are getting a trip together and aiming at Thanksgiving weekend. We all live in eastern North Carolina so are looking at areas like the Great Smoky National Park (likely Tennessee-side) or something in that region.

We all have done mountainous overnight-camping but not at these temperatures. Any advice on the necessities we should bring?

We are monitoring road closures, but it makes planning travel routes more difficult

Doesn't get much better than light flurries at Delicate Arches.

Not sure if this is the right place to ask but I'm looking for a gift for my boyfriend who loves national parks. His favorite one is Zion national park. He used to be a boy scout and he already has a lot of camping gear. We definitely will go in the future. I was thinking about getting him a big poster with its view but I think it's a bit simple. What kind of gifts would you guys like/think is good? anything will help, thank you!

What are the things to do in Yosimite as a beginner for hikes. Not that interested in hiking(can do a little bit). Have a entire day to do things. Please help.

Hey all,

Not to be that guy today, but I think it would be a good idea to escape for a few days and process things. I'm looking for recommendations on a good park to go visit in November /December to experience nature.

Thanks all

View from Half Dome - August 3, 2022

Hello everyone! My fiancé and I are planning a honeymoon road trip for next May, and we’d love some advice on our itinerary. Originally, we were considering destinations like Grand Teton and Yellowstone or even Kenya, but since neither seemed ideal for May, we’ve shifted focus further south. Here’s what we’re thinking so far:

• Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas late (around 9:25pm) and stay overnight.
• Day 2: Drive to Zion National Park. Considering staying at Zion Wildflower Resort or Zion Mountain Ranch - anyone been? We might do a short activity this evening if time allows.
• Day 3: Hike Angel’s Landing.
• Day 4: Check out and hike The Narrows in the morning, then drive to Bryce Canyon in the afternoon to catch the sunset. Planning to stay close to the park.
• Day 5: Morning horseback tour in Bryce Canyon, then drive to Moab (with a stop at Goblin Valley State Park). We’re eyeing Under Canvas but open to other suggestions.
• Day 6: Early morning jeep tour of Hell’s Revenge, then relax in the afternoon.
• Day 7: Visit Canyonlands (Island in the Sky) for sunrise at Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, and Green River Overlook. In the afternoon, head to Arches for Delicate Arch, Double Arch, and Landscape Arch.
• Day 8: Drive to Glenwood Springs for an afternoon in the hot springs.
• Days 9-11: Head to Rocky Mountain National Park for two full days of exploring, then drive to Denver for an evening flight back.

What we’re looking for: This is our honeymoon, so we’re aiming for a mix of relaxation, scenic views, and unique experiences. We'd like a mix of hiking, horseback riding, other activities, and would love to experience staying on a ranch if possible along this route. I’d also like to end the trip with a change in scenery and a chance to spot some wildlife by finishing in the Rockies.

Questions:

1. Does this itinerary feel too rushed? We’re open to tweaking the schedule but can’t extend our total trip time.
2. Would it be better to spend a night near Bryce Canyon or Capitol Reef?
3. Any must-see spots or experiences we should add or skip along this route?
4. Are there any charming towns worth visiting where we could stop for a night or afternoon?
5. Any recommendations for unique stays, especially if there’s a ranch experience possible?

Thank you so much in advance for any tips or suggestions!

I tried to collaborate with ChatGPT to create a formula for determining if Trump's impact on national parks during his first term was more protective or destructive on the whole.

Open to your suggestions on how to improve the formula but, in brief, I instructed the GPT to weight criteria by creating a value score for national park land that placed greater importance on land actively used by indigenous people as a cultural heritage site, followed by non-indigenous taxpayers as a tourist destination/nature retreat, and lastly non-taxpaying tourists.

So the GPT was not just looking at total square miles of land positively impacted (increased maintenance and protection) vs negatively impacted (decreased maintenance and protection) by Trump's legislation, but placing greater value on land that is actively used/appreciated by inhabitants or visitors.

Certainly there are some nuances I'm not accounting for! If anyone's interested in the results, I can share them. Otherwise, I will modify the formula according to your feedback and then share.