Got some time last week of this month for a 5 day trip wanting to go out west/PNW and looking for recommendations for great hiking with scenic views. Ideally anywhere that has Spring bloom flowers with the mountainside. I've been seeing earlier post recommendations for Ranier, Glacier, Yellowstone but not sure if they will still be closed/snowy at that time?

https://preview.redd.it/2uump99nt5yc1.jpg?width=922&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4b4d69b2a0b29e72f480c7fe7d175e71631a6f66

It is a strange building that looks like a Spaceship. There are a good deal of solar panels on it. Friends and I joked it was a CIA blacksite, you drive north 190, if you go from Zabriskie Point to Furnace Creek in You will see it. The road it is likely on is Echo Canyon Road.

My partner has a work meeting in SLC in July and the plan is for me to fly with him and then we do a few National Parks until his conference starts.

So far the tentative plan is:

Arrive Wednesday evening and stay in SLC overnight.

Very early Thursday morning drive to Capitol Reef NP, and then drive to Moab.

Friday morning go to Canyonlands and spend the day.

Saturday morning go to Arches NP and spend the day there, then stay overnight in Moab.

Sunday morning, drive back to SLC, spend the afternoon in the city and then I fly out whilst my partner stays for his conference.

I have a few specific questions, but I'm also looking for general advice about visiting these parks.

Does it make sense to stay in Moab whilst visiting all three of these parks? Or should we stay somewhere else Thursday night (closer to Capitol Reef)

Tips on driving in Utah? My partner doesn't drive and I don't like driving but I do it when I have to. I've only ever taken the train through Utah and don't know what driving across the state is like. Any pointers?

Is there enough to do in Capitol Reef for a whole day or should we plan to also visit another park that day?

Hi All,

I am thinking to go to Yellowstone & Grand Teton NP on one of these dates for 4-5 days. Please suggest which one is better based on the road conditions fully open, wildlife viewing opportunities, waterfalls full volume, easy to hike, all attractions open etc.

1. June 14th
2. June 28th
3. July 4th
4. July 12th

I’m looking to visit end of September this year. I’m not sure where to stay. I’d like somewhere that at most is a 20 minute drive to the entrance. Also a private bathroom and less than $1500 for 4 nights. Any recommendations? Also how many entrances are there?

So I am looking to road trip from Atlanta to the Grand Tetons this upcoming August. I have road tripped before to Glacier and the North Cascades. On these trips we've done mostly day hikes and have camped in drive-up or more car accessible campsites. Usually I've never reserved a campsite in advanced besides for one backcountry campsite. That being said, is driving to the Grand Tetons with no camping reservations panned and planning on doing day hikes possible like the other national parks? These last few trips were planned by someone else and this time I am planning this one. Any advice helps thanks!

Hi,

Could you please point me to any guides, blogs, posts for most of the National Parks?

Need information like the following:

1. Important attractions in the NP
2. Best weather conditions in the NP so all the roads are open
3. Important hikes, other outdoor activities available in the NP
4. Places to stay near the NP
5. Best months to visit the NP

Been panicking for weeks that I would not be able to get a reservation for Memorial Day weekend. I had not used this system before. It was super easy. Had zero problems getting a reservation for the time slot I wanted. Ditto for my wife who was in charge of getting a different day. Even a half hour later there was still a lot of reservations available. Now the countdown. Can’t wait to get there!!!!!!

Both options are the same price ($450rt), and struggling to decide which is more reliable. Only going to have one night camping at katmai this summer, so we want to make it count! Thanks!!

I'm doing a road trip through the badlands and black hills of SD this summer, and on the way home, am stopping to visit Theodore Roosevelt NP. Since it is one of the lesser-visited parks, I haven't been able to find a ton of advice. The only trail that I have planned for sure is the petrified forest loop, but I am at a loss for other hike ideas. I would especially love anything with views of the Little Missouri River, but any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

For good river views, it seems like Achenbach trail might be a good one? I am a pretty avid hiker, but still have room for improvement, so I would say anything under 12 miles.

*I will have about 2.5 days in the park!

hello! considering sort of a last minute visit may 19-24 to Sequoia/Kings Canyon. I am reading some conflicting information as to whether the roads will be open and if the weather will be cold/cloudy. Ive also read the wildflowers / vegetation is blooming rn. I realize it may differ year to year, but can you please provide some general information on weather this time of year? would redwood be better/warmer? Thanks so much!

I received a federal speeding ticket while driving out of Grand Canyon NP, AZ from a park Ranger (driving 55 in 35). Happened in Arizona and I have a Kansas license. The ticket I got is for $100 + $30 processing fee. Paying $130 is not a problem. I’m an immigrant and worried about the consequences and this is very scary for me

I truly regret speeding. I have a clean record - never a warning or even a parking ticket. I looked online and spoke with a lawyer but I got confusing things from each source on how serious this is.

I called CVB: they said this is a “petty offense” and I can pay it off. They also said if I choose to go to court, there might be a chance of it getting escalated to criminal. But if I pay it off, it will only be a petty offense

Lawyer: Says this is criminal offense and some of them can lead to probation. They want to charge $5k to fight on court.

Here are my questions:

1. Is this civil/ petty/ criminal offense? What do these categories mean?
2. Will this show up on my background checks or at immigration?
3. Are there any other things I need to worry about other than DMV points and insurance?

I want to start light hiking and exploring to national parks with the kids but not sure where to start. We want to do a trip either to Disney or Atlanta aquarium in the fall. So comparing the 2 to decide. We did Disney last year, so wsnt to change it up this year.

If we go to the aquarium, I think we can visit a park or 2 on that trip also. We'd be driving from Texas, visiting family in Destin then up to Atlanta. What parks do you recommend around that area & on the way? How is it with baby's-toddlers? We'll have a 7 month old(to prob baby wear), 3 year old and 5 year old. We are active, but don't get lost into nature just yet. Though I'd love to get there! Thanks!

We are going to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Zion, Grand Canyon, Moab

Are there NP podcasts you love? I’ve listened to all of “Dear Bob and Sue,” and most of “Who Runs this Park?”. Those are probably my two favorites. I have a lot more of “Exploring the National Parks with Dirt in My Shoes” to listen to. I really wanted to like “National Park After Dark,” but it’s just not my thing. (Give it a shot, it’s popular. Just wasn’t for me.)

Do you have a favorite and if so what is it?

Edit: I’ve also enjoyed episodes of National Parks Traveler

My wife and I have never been to death Valley and will be there in about a week or so. We are interested in a couple of recommended hikes. We are avid hikers and have done rim to rim (grand canyon)

I've also heard how great the park is for stargazing. Are there actually better places than others to do that? Obviously away from light and probably other people, but the sky is visible literally everywhere. Are there any recommended places to go based on things we might not be considering?

Also are there any specific hikes you may recommend? We'd like to do the short bad water basin but are looking for one or two more.

Is it worth it this early in the year with 180 still closed (anyone know if it’s usually open by first weekend in June?). Also….looks like other road closures…is this a good year to go, or wait a year?

Has anybody been to the island for a 1 day camping trip? I was thinking of going a few days after I get back from my Santa Rosa trip. I was going to stay the night at Anacapa just because I’d be right there and it’s not too much money but I have heard mixed feelings.

I am planning to do a 8 day trip to Seattle and was wondering if I need to carry heavy winter wear to visit the 3 parks or a light jacket should be enough? Also is there a reservation system for Mt Rainier to get in? I didn’t see anything in the website.

I will be at Rocky Mountain National Park Memorial Day Weekend. How much snow coverage should I expect to traverse while hiking? Would some trails/peaks be inaccessible?

Some post have stated to expect snow coverage in the Spring, so being prepared is my #1 Goal. Thanks in advance for any resources/information!

Some magnets I’ve picked up along my journey…

Hi All,

Could you please provide suggestions for National parks (in California/Utah/Washington/Oregon) to visit in May & June?

No plans for camping, but would like to visit each National Park for 1 or 2 or 3 days by staying close to the National park.

Looking for National parks which are

1. Except Yosemite, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Channel Islands, Pinnacles National Park (already visited)
2. Relatively warm
3. Where it does not rain, so it is easier to hike
4. Where it does not snow, and even if it snows, it snows relatively less
5. Most of the park attractions are open