On January 11, 1995, approximately 17,000 elk bedded down in Yellowstone National Park. When they woke up a few听hours later, a new scent was in the icy air: wolves. It had been 69 years since the last Canis lupus roamed the world鈥檚 first national park. As a result of hunting, government-sponsored eradication programs, and human expansion, wolves were all but extinct in the U.S. But on January 12, 1995, eight wolves from Canada were moved to Yellowstone in an effort to curb the exploding elk population that was destroying vegetation other animals needed to survive. It was a controversial move: area ranchers worried the new carnivores听would prey on their livestock.

Thirty years after their reintroduction in Yellowstone, wolves have proven their ecological worth, at least in the context of restoring balance in the natural ecosystem. Today, the winter elk population in Yellowstone is fewer than 4,000鈥攁 number the park can sustain. But what what economic value do wolves provide to the park and the surrounding communities? That鈥檚 a much harder question to answer. From Montana to Inner Mongolia, there鈥檚 no question that wolf tourism, much like the gray wolf population, appears to be on the rise.

What Is Wolf Tourism?

Matthew A. Wilson, Departments of Sociology and Rural Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison describes wolf tourists as 鈥減eople who are willing to travel long distances just to be near wolves.鈥� Historically, most wolf watchers were animal advocates, easily distinguished by their wolf-adorned license plates and bumper stickers. But today, more听lay people are traveling thousands of miles鈥攁nd paying top dollar鈥攖o see these apex predators up close.

鈥淚n our first year, we had dozens of guests,鈥� says , founder of Yellowstone Wolf Tracker (YWT), based in Gardiner, Montana. Varley and his partner, Linda Thurston, were originally wildlife biologists, but in 2006 they saw a business opportunity and founded YWT, which offers half-day wolf-watching tours in the park starting at $950. Today, YWT employs around six locals who guide several thousand guests each year. 鈥淲e were among the pioneers in the business,鈥� recalls Varley. 鈥淣ow it feels saturated.鈥�

Offering a six-day winter wolf safari during mating season in January and February听(from $7,150) in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, is one of Varley鈥檚 many competitors. 鈥淚 love the adrenaline rush of being able to find wolves and show them to people; it鈥檚 very addictive, better than any drug,鈥� says General Manager Tenley Thompson. Thomson, who says she鈥檚 guided in Yellowstone since its 鈥渨ild west days,鈥� is seeing a new demographic book their wolf-based tours. In years past, most guests with wolves on their bucket list came from the East Coast and abroad. But now there鈥檚 a substantial increase in bookings from day-trippers who are more local. 鈥淭hey tend to be hunters and anglers and come from cultural backgrounds where wolves weren鈥檛 always valued,鈥� says Thomson.

Thomson credits time as the biggest factor in the shift in tourist demographics. When wolves were first reintroduced, she says she saw a lot of fearmongering, which she thinks is unwarranted. In terms of wolf attacks on livestock, she says 鈥渢he reality of wolves is quite boring.”

In 2024, the Montana Department of Livestock received 48 wolf-related livestock and guard dog depredation claims for the calendar year. Thirty-two of the animals allegedly killed by wolves were cows. It seems like a lot, until you consider Montana is home to more than 2.2 million cows. For all 2024 livestock kills鈥攂y wolves, grizzlies, and mountain lions鈥攖he Montana Department of Livestock paid out $196,254 to reimburse ranchers. That seems like a lot, too. Until you consider how much the booming wolf tourism brings in. A 2021 study found that wolf tourism alone pumped at least $82.7 million into Yellowstone鈥檚 gateway communities like Gardiner, which has a population of just 744 year-round residents. That鈥檚 a 236 percent increase from 2006 when it brought in $35.35 million.

Yellowstone鈥攄eemed 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Serengeti鈥� because of its high population of ungulates and predators that hunt them鈥攊s one of the best places in the world to see wolves in the wild. 鈥淧eople fly in from around the world, literally, for this experience,鈥� says, a professor of wildlife ecology and conservation biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and science advisor to the .听But wolf tourism also includes sanctuaries, home to rescued wolves that would not survive in the wild. At , 30 miles west of Colorado Springs, visitors pay $20 to see wolves through a game fence. Interactive experiences, such as taking selfies with wolves, range from $120 to $600 per person.

Most sanctuaries forbid听intimate encounters, citing that they can habituate wolves to humans, but the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center thinks they鈥檙e vital to the species鈥� survival. 鈥淭o run your fingers through their fur and a possible quick moment of looking in their eyes to capture the depth of their spirit and soul is something that you will never forget. Hopefully, when you walk out of that enclosure, you will have a better understanding of that animal and be a voice to help protect its future forever,鈥� reads their website. It also has this disclaimer: 鈥淲olves love to steal.鈥� For that reason, participants can鈥檛 wear jewelry, sunglasses, or even braids

Although it doesn鈥檛 offer hands-on opportunities, the package at the in South Salem, New York, has been selling out since it debuted ten years ago. CEO Leila Wetmore says this is the last year tourists have to rough it in tents ($340 per tent), and the final time it will be a听summer-only event. 鈥淥ver 2026 we鈥檙e going to be building some really cool yurt-containers,鈥� she says.听Because the center is just 55 miles north of Manhattan, Wetmore says it鈥檚 popular with international travelers. 鈥淚 was just on the phone with somebody who鈥檚 coming from Germany. Part of their annual trek is to always do a sleeping with wolves thing.鈥�

Wolf Tourism Over Seas

Technically, Europeans don鈥檛 have to cross the Atlantic to find wolves. They are making such a big comeback on the continent鈥攖he population nearly doubling in the past 20 years鈥攖hat in December the EU voted to change their status from 鈥渟trictly protected鈥� to just 鈥減rotected.鈥� Spain, Romania, and Poland have been the first to capitalize on wolf tourism. Wild Moral鈥檚 (all-inclusive from $345), in the Sierra de la Culebra mountain range near Spain鈥檚 border with Portugal, includes up to four 鈥渨olf waits鈥� where tourists post up for a few hours in areas the animals are known to frequent. Visitors use high-powered telescopes, but like most wolf watching packages in the wild, sightings are not guaranteed.

At Romania’s Transylvania Wolf, the Wolf Tales and Trails tour focuses on the animal’s place in history. Wolf-human relationships date back to Roman mythology鈥攁 she-wolf suckled babies Romulus and Remus before the founded Rome.听鈥淔olklore around wolves in particular is very rich here,鈥� says founder and guide . 鈥淭hat is an important part of the knowledge that our customers here receive while exploring truly wild areas in search of these animals.鈥�

While wolf tourism isn鈥檛 really a thing in Africa, South America, and Australia, it鈥檚 not unheard of in Asia.听Four years before Americans were talking about the Netflix documentary Tiger King, a 71-year-old businessman in China earned the title听鈥淲olf King鈥� after spending $25 million building Wild Wolf Valley, where travelers could meet his 150-member pack. , the attraction, located in Inner Mongolia, allows guests to hug wolves, feed them, and pose with pups. During the pandemic, when visiting in person wasn鈥檛 an option, cyber petting became popular.

How Tourism Affects Wolves

If anyone knows how wolf tourism has impacted wolves, it鈥檚 Doug Smith. He retired as a senior wildlife biologist in 2022 after working for 28 years in Yellowstone. He led the Yellowstone Wolf Project at the park听and played a pivotal role in the reintroduction. Although he references two instances in the park鈥檚 history when rangers had to euthanize a wolf because it had become habituated to humans, he stresses that habituation (when wolves no longer fear humans) is very rare. 鈥淭hose are wolves that walk up to you and when you put your pack down, they rip your pack apart, looking for food,鈥� he says.

Instead, wolves’ diminished fear of humans is the problem. With 4.7 million visits in 2024, Yellowstone鈥檚 second busiest year in history, the park鈥檚 nine packs are becoming more tolerant to people. They don鈥檛 run up to humans the way a habituated wolf would, but they also don鈥檛 run away. 鈥淵ou transfer that behavior outside the park, and they鈥檙e dead,鈥� says Smith. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to get shot, that鈥檚 a big issue, and you could construe that as a wolf-watching issue.鈥�

In 2022, 25 wolves, or about 20 percent of the park鈥檚 population, were killed by hunters when they strayed outside park boundaries. According to Smith, many of these wolves were collared and had spent 95 percent of their time in Yellowstone.

Within the park, Smith says the increase in wolf tourism has mostly affected wolf behavior in two ways. First, they no longer den near the roads. Second, crowds often 鈥渂ump them鈥� off of听 kills they would normally eat. That said, wolf tourism hasn鈥檛 noticeably impacted survival rates or reproduction. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we call fitness. It鈥檚 the gold standard for all wildlife,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淎nd all of the people probably did not affect their fitness.鈥�

Still, tour operators are worried. 鈥淎s more people get involved in wolf tourism and have a passion鈥攚hether that be photographers or visitors鈥攊t鈥檚 going to have an inevitable impact on these packs in a negative way,鈥� says Thomson of Jackson Hole Ecotour 国产吃瓜黑料s. That鈥檚 why she goes out of her way to hire guides with research backgrounds. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e gotten into this business because they care deeply about the animals, and so our ethics are a bit different. If we can鈥檛 see an animal ethically and safely, even if we鈥檙e well within the rules, we just don鈥檛 look at that animal.鈥�

In Yellowstone, the rule is you have to stay at least 100 yards away from wolves. But there鈥檚 a big caveat: if you鈥檙e altering their natural behavior, even if you鈥檙e 250 yards away, that鈥檚 illegal. 鈥淚f a wolf has to constantly get up from its nap and look around, or its ears are constantly twitching, we鈥檙e too close,鈥� says Thomson.

The solution to the problems caused by wolf tourism, at least in Yellowstone, could be sharing the wealth. 鈥淚鈥檇 love to see it go big, beyond Yellowstone,鈥� says Varley of YWT, who hopes to see wolf tourism spring up in other places, particularly Colorado and the West Coast. He鈥檚 also heard of new opportunities to view wolves in remote regions of Canada.

Lambert is a fan of spreading the trend, too,听because wolf tourism typically results in an increase in funding for conservation. 鈥淢any people only know wolves through myths and misconceptions, experiencing them in the wild can foster a greater appreciation for their sociality and their significance in ecosystems,鈥� she says. 鈥淥n balance, wolf tourism is more beneficial than harmful. While I don鈥檛 like putting numbers on these ineffable effects, I would hazard to say perhaps ninety percent good, ten percent bad.鈥�

The post How Wolves Became Yellowstone鈥檚 $82 Million Tourist Attraction appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

While some singles looking for love are downloading Hinge, an increasing number are lacing up their running shoes. In fact, a recent article by citing a 鈥渇lurry of videos on TikTok and Instagram鈥� suggests running clubs are the best alternative to dating apps. And in April, Metro UK ran this headline 鈥淒ating apps didn鈥檛 work, so I joined a running club to find a husband instead.鈥�

Most recently, USA Today did a feature on New York City鈥檚 premier run club for singles, Lunge Run Club. , which ends every run at a bar, counted 30 members when it was founded in May. Today, it has more than 1,000. But is a run club听a good place to find the one? Not necessarily. In January, Australia鈥檚 SBS News听reported, 鈥淭his trend has some groups听concerned,鈥� and 国产吃瓜黑料听谤别肠别苍迟濒测 spoke to a handful of runners who regret leveraging their beloved sport to find love.

Social running clubs, or run clubs, are nothing new. In the U.K., they date back to at least the mid-19th century. Stateside, New York Road Runners was founded in 1958 as a local run club with just 40 members. Today, it serves nearly 700,000. And while it鈥檚 true that run clubs have been the source of successful, organic romances over the years, only recently have they been positioned on social media as pools of potential mates. So, what changed?

First, the COVID-19 pandemic kickstarted a听running club renaissance with more people than ever pounding the pavement. Then, dating app burnout set in. People started asking themselves why they should look for a prospective partner on an app when they could meet them in person鈥攁ll while getting a workout. From an efficiency standpoint, it makes sense. However, marrying fitness with pleasure does have its downsides.

These days, Sean, a 37-year-old runner, defines his 15-year relationship with running as 鈥渃omplicated.鈥� Sean, who prefers to use a pseudonym, met his ex-girlfriend of two years on a club run with mutual friends. While he admits running together was fun at first, things changed when she fell for another guy in the group, and they started having an affair. Heartbroken, he ended things.

But in addition to losing her, he ultimately lost custody of his run family. 鈥淎fter the breakup, I avoided running with the group in case she was there with her new boyfriend,鈥� he says. 鈥淓verything that made the relationship easy became awkward or uncomfortable.鈥�

He also told 国产吃瓜黑料 he stopped going because he didn鈥檛 want other members prying for details or offering their condolences. 鈥淥bviously, these communities talk,鈥� says Sean. 鈥淩unning was my safe place, a place to get away from all the work and life problems, and after the breakup, I didn鈥檛 have that.鈥�

Hillary Allen, a 35-year-old professional runner, tells听国产吃瓜黑料, 鈥渟ides were taken,鈥� and some friendships were lost after things with her ex ended. They met in a running club in Golden, Colorado, before dating for a year until things got too competitive between them, and the built-up pressure was too big to ignore. 鈥淲e had other things in common, but running was the main interest we shared,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat shared interest became the thing that ultimately broke us apart.鈥�

She鈥檇 be happy to give love another shot, but based on her previous experience, she鈥檚 not eager to pursue things with anyone in her new running club in Boulder, Colorado. 鈥淚鈥檓 more inclined to take the don鈥檛-shit-where-you-eat-approach,鈥� she says.

Allen was able to join a new club, 20 miles away from the one where she met her ex, because she moved after her breakup. But Molly, a 41-year-old runner who asked to have her last name withheld, wasn鈥檛 so lucky. Her ordeal didn鈥檛 even involve an ex, just an unwanted admirer. Shortly after joining her local running club in Tennessee last summer, Molly felt targeted by a member who kept singling her out as an Asian runner鈥攕he was the only one in the club鈥攁nd sharing his preferences for dating Asian women.

鈥淚t’s really sucked for me because I live in a small place, and the guy is part of every single run group in town,鈥� she commented on a recent titled 鈥淎ny women have a bad experience in a run club?鈥� While she shut down his advances, she didn鈥檛 feel comfortable bringing her concerns to the group leaders. 鈥淚 wasn’t sure anyone else would support me or if people would be annoyed that a newcomer was creating drama,鈥� she says.

Molly hasn鈥檛 given up running. However, she鈥檚 not eager to join another running group, something she鈥檚 been a part of since high school when she competed in track and cross country. 鈥淭he thought of going back doesn鈥檛 feel fun to me, and what else is a hobby group for?鈥� she tells 国产吃瓜黑料.

Unfortunately, people acting inappropriately are everywhere. But problems also arise when some members see run club as a hobby group and other members, often well-intentioned, are on the hunt for hookups or something more serious. Flirting, or putting out feelers, has to be a two-way street. That’s why , which has clubs all around the world, now hands out wristbands at special events to designate members open to mingling. 鈥淚t’s a nod to those who are looking for something more than just friends,鈥� founder James Holt says.

Other clubs rely on vibes. One runner, who prefers to remain anonymous, tells 国产吃瓜黑料 his inner suburb club in Melbourne, Australia, consists mostly of young professionals and 鈥渟kews toward DTF.鈥� That鈥檚 why he didn鈥檛 hesitate to hook up with a fellow member. When asked if things were weird at the next club run, he laughs. 鈥淚f anything, it made things less awkward because now you really got to know someone, and instead of having sexual tension and ambiguity, you鈥檙e now at ease around them,鈥� he says.

Of course, sometimes flirting or fooling around leads to more serious relationships. Jen, a queer woman who founded a Seattle run club and prefers to use a pseudonym, saw many couples form in the decade she spent leading group runs. In 2016, she even officiated the wedding of a couple who met after becoming members. However, she admits happy endings aren鈥檛 guaranteed. Her last run club relationship fizzled out after a year. Her ex stopped showing up for their weekly runs, but when neither party wants to leave or risk running into each other, it can get complicated. 鈥淚’ve heard of people who end up alternating weeks or splitting days with their former partners,鈥� she says.

As counterintuitive as it sounds, Katie d鈥橝utremont, a couples therapist in Montana, suggests having the 鈥渨ho gets the club if we break up?鈥� conversation sooner than later. 鈥淐onsider discussing this in the earlier stages of the relationship to determine whether moving forward with the relationship outweighs the potential loss of a common interest group,鈥� she says. Of course, in her professional opinion, ideally, couples should be able to maintain their participation in the club regardless of the relationship’s outcome.

Given the gift of hindsight, Sean says moving forward he’ll be more aware of other peoples鈥� intentions and trust his gut if it feels like boundaries are being crossed. His biggest advice for anyone looking to find, or foster, love at run club is ironic. 鈥淢ove slow,鈥� he says. 鈥淢ake sure you’re all in and willing to take the risk.鈥�

Katie Jackson is a Montana-based travel writer whose work has been published by Travel & Leisure, Cond茅 Nast Traveler, USA TODAY, and more. She鈥檚 never tried to find love in a run club, but if you see her at the dog park, there鈥檚 a good chance she鈥檚 single.

The post Who Gets the Running Club After a Breakup? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I have this dream: I’m six years old and shouting at my mom, but she doesn’t seem to hear me. “Don’t shoot!” I yell, but the rifle is still raised, her finger heavy on the trigger, and the wolf she鈥檚 squinting at through her scope is completely oblivious.

The animal is 150 yards away, trotting along the tree line, headed toward the cows my mom and I just fed. Short of putting myself between the wolf and the muzzle, there鈥檚 not much I can do to stop my mom. She鈥檚 only five foot two, but I鈥檝e seen her blow the heads off several coyotes, from twice as far away, and a wolf is a much larger target.

Fortunately for me, and the wolf, I always wake up before the gun goes off.

Even at 33 years old, I still have this dream, especially when I鈥檓 visiting my childhood home just outside Lewistown, Montana. Although I now live a couple hours away, in Billings, and jet around the world for my job as a travel writer, home will always be 1,500 acres of bucolic alfalfa fields in the foothills of the Judith Mountains. Known as the Lazy JK, our ranch has been in the family for five generations. When I was a kid, we raised sheep, hogs, and Black Angus cattle, all branded with a sideways or 鈥渓azy鈥� J on top of a sideways K. But after struggling to put food on the table for me and my two brothers, my parents, Mel and Becky, eventually took the sheep and hogs 鈥渢o town.鈥� I never saw them again, but our cattle herd doubled. In Montana, cattle are far more lucrative.

Much like you wouldn鈥檛 ask someone their salary, you鈥檇 never ask a rancher how many cows they have. Still, my folks have always known their exact number. And they鈥檝e never been able to afford to lose a single one, to a wolf or otherwise.

Unfortunately for me, wolves have always been my favorite animal. My obsession with Canis lupus can be traced back to Little Red Riding Hood. While other four-year-olds were rooting for the naive girl bringing flowers to her sick grandmother, I was Team Wolf. For some reason that I should probably discuss with my therapist, I respected a cunning creature who killed the innocent far more than I cared about a kid my own age.

In third grade, I was obsessed with Julie of the Wolves, a coming-of-age novel by Jean Craighead George about an Inuit girl in Alaska who befriends a pack of wolves and goes to live among them. As a middle child, the only girl, and an introvert who had a hard time making friends, I dreamed of running away from home and doing the same.

My parents loathed wolves as much as I loved them. The same animal that symbolized something supernatural to me represented lost dollar signs to them. I grew up knowing there鈥檇 be no courtesy warning shot if a wolf ever stepped foot onto our property. Both my rough-around-the-edges mom (who would be played by Kathy Bates in a movie about her life) and dad (a six-foot-two cowboy with a mustache worthy of its own zip code), are card-carrying NRA members. No animal, even one on the endangered species list, was going to get between them and their livestock.

For as much as my parents hated wolves, however, those wild animals weren鈥檛 usually a threat. Sure, there was the time a few years ago when a rogue wolf killed our neighbor鈥檚 dogs, who were tied up outside of his home. 鈥淭hey were expensive mountain-lion hunting dogs,鈥� my dad said when he told me about the incident. 鈥淚f I see that goddamned wolf near our place, I鈥檓 shooting first and asking questions later.鈥� No one ever spotted the wolf, but our local vet confirmed the kill, and I never saw dogs tied up at our neighbor鈥檚 place again. Yet that unfortunate event was a one-off. Our ranch is in the middle of Montana; most of the state鈥檚 wolves live in the northwestern corner, in and around Glacier National Park, and in the southwest, near Yellowstone National Park.

I didn鈥檛 argue with my parents when I was younger, but recently, I鈥檝e started to openly disagree with their big-bad-wolf narrative. It鈥檚 led to some heated arguments, but not so heated that I risk being written out of their will. Eventually, last fall I decided I could change their minds. My parents have softened over the years, and I鈥檇 managed to convince them that all my boyfriends with tattoos weren鈥檛 serial killers. Why couldn鈥檛 I do the same with wolves?

My plan involved exposure therapy. But in order to make it happen, I knew I needed to take them to Yellowstone.

The post My Rancher Parents Hate Wolves. I Took Them on a Wolf-Watching Tour in Yellowstone to Change Their Minds. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If you鈥檝e visited a national park in the summer recently you鈥檝e probably found yourself in a frustrating gridlock that rivals an L.A. freeway at 5 P.M. And you can鈥檛 blame the bison. National parks are experiencing record numbers of visitors, and unfortunately for the environment, record numbers of vehicles. But that鈥檚 not to say you need a car to climb El Capitan, hike Angel鈥檚 Landing, or survive the hairpin turns on Glacier鈥檚 Going-to-the-Sun Road. You don鈥檛. In fact, Yosemite, Zion, and Glacier are just a few of our country鈥檚 national parks offering public transportation to mitigate the effects of mass tourism.

Whether you鈥檙e looking to see the bottom of the Grand Canyon or the summit of Denali, here are eight epic park-and-ride national parks.

Zion National Park

In 2000, after years of bumper-to-bumper summer traffic, the use of personal cars was banned on Zion鈥檚 main drag for the high season months of March through November. Fortunately, service the seven majestic miles on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive between the visitor center and the Narrows. The ride, which has a guided narration you can listen to on your mobile device, takes approximately 45 minutes. Along the way shuttles stop at trailheads for the park鈥檚 iconic hikes like Angel鈥檚 Landing鈥攐ne of the most dangerous hikes in the country鈥擟anyon Junction, and the Grotto. Shuttles (which are equipped with bike racks because cyclists are always welcome) depart every few minutes and don鈥檛 require reservations.

Pro tip: Since the parking lot at Zion Canyon Visitor Center tends to fill up fast, park a mile away in the town of Springdale where you can hop on the , also free, which stops at Zion Canyon Village.

Glacier National Park

Gone are the days when you could rock up to Glacier National Park and cruise through at your leisure. Now, you鈥檒l need a vehicle reservation if you plan on visiting the west side of the park from May through September. But it鈥檚 a good thing鈥攁t least for the environment. Plus, there鈥檚 always the option to park and ride. With its sheer rock walls and steep drop offs, the Crown of the Continent鈥檚 unforgiving Going-to-the-Sun Road (a bucket list check for road bikers) can be quite the whiteknuckler, so it makes more sense to leave the driving to the experts during peak season. Lower your carbon footprint and take advantage of servicing this 50-mile-long mountainous stretch of road carved into the Northern Rockies. Daily shuttles operate every 30 minutes from July, when the road usually opens, through Labor Day. There鈥檚 also a free hiker/biker-specific shuttle on the weekends in May and June.

Pro tip: For nonstop service from Apgar Village to Logan Pass and St. Mary Visitor Center to Logan Pass, hop on the 15-passenger Sprinter vans that run express. All other shuttles make stops at popular trailheads and scenic overlooks along the way.

Yosemite National Park

With Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses servicing nearby Merced, you don鈥檛 even need a vehicle to visit Yosemite National Park. Once you鈥檙e in Merced, simply board a Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) bus headed to Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. The $22 one-way ride takes approximately two hours. In Yosemite Valley, you can connect with the free that services the entire valley including stops at El Capitan Meadow鈥攚here you can camp out with a pair of binocs and watch climbers battle the world famous monolith鈥擫ower Yosemite Fall, and Mirror Lake. Valleywide shuttles, which run every 12 to 20 minutes, operate year round while the Mariposa Grove and Tuolumne Meadows shuttles only operate during the warmer months.

Pro tip: If you鈥檙e visiting Yosemite between December and March, consider taking a detour to . depart Yosemite Valley in the morning and return in the afternoon.

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park鈥檚 beloved buses have been operating since 1999, and despite route expansions and a substantial increase in ridership (from 142,000 passengers its first season to nearly 250,000 in 2019), service is still free. Partially funded by L.L. Bean, the propane-powered buses now run on 13 routes stopping everywhere from the Bar Harbor-Hancock County Regional Airport to Hulls Cove Visitor Center (the park鈥檚 main visitor center) and area campgrounds. See a spot that looks ideal for a photo opp? If it鈥檚 a safe place to pull over, the driver will happily let you out. Buses can also be flagged down if you want to board between designated stops. Just know that on days when cruise ships are docked in Bar Harbor it鈥檚 usually standing room only.

Pro tip: Bring your better half. Acadia is one of very few dog-friendly national parks, and the Island Explorer welcomes all well-behaved, leashed dogs.

Denali National Park

It doesn鈥檛 matter if you have a Prius or a Porsche; you won鈥檛 be able to drive past mile 15 on Denali National Park鈥檚 lone road. If you want to see North America鈥檚 tallest mountain up close, you鈥檇 better brace yourself for a bus ride. Actually, despite looking like old-school school buses, they鈥檙e quite comfortable. Choose from the (from $116), which include a naturalist鈥檚 guided narration, and the (from $33), which get you from point A to point B and everywhere in between. Transit buses make far more stops along the way, and are the best options for visitors who don鈥檛 want to be limited to riding one bus. Transit bus tickets can be used on any transit bus, provided there鈥檚 room, and drivers are happy to pick up hikers along the road.

Pro tip: Pack snacks! While the tour buses usually include lunch or a snack, transit buses don鈥檛 and there is no place within the park to buy food or water once you leave the Denali Bus Depot.

Channel Islands National Park

Accessibility, or lack of, is the primary reason this archipelago off the coast of Santa Barbara is one of California鈥檚 least visited national parks. To travel to these five islands, often billed as America鈥檚 Galapagos, you鈥檒l need a private boat or tickets. Island Packers, the park鈥檚 boat concessionaire, provides year round transportation (from $66 round trip) to the main islands and seasonal (March to November) transportation to the outer islands. Once on the islands, explore by foot鈥攖he island of Santa Cruz has the most hiking options with 16 trails ranging from 0.5 miles to 18 miles鈥攐r . Kayaking and snorkeling tours (from $275) with are available on the island of Santa Cruz.

Pro tip: While you can whale watch from the boat year round, visit between July and October if blue whales are on your bucket list.

Dry Tortugas National Park

If you don鈥檛 have someone with a seaplane in your rolodex, don鈥檛 worry. This lesser-known national park in the Gulf of Mexico is also reachable by boat. That said, tickets on the 鈥攖he high speed catamaran ferrying visitors from Key West to the park鈥檚 main attraction, Fort Jefferson鈥攁ren鈥檛 cheap. Day tours start at $220, but they do include breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and a guided tour of Fort Jefferson. Of course, you can also reach by private boat or (from $466). Whatever your mode of transportation, don鈥檛 forget a bathing suit because you鈥檒l want to get wet. Ninety-nine percent of the park is underwater, and it鈥檚 home to nearly 30 species of coral.

Pro tip: 听If you plan on , don鈥檛 book last minute. Reservations are limited (the Yankee Freedom can only carry ten campers per day per park regulations) and sell out 9 to 12 months in advance.

Grand Canyon National Park

It鈥檚 hard to imagine how crippling the congestion would be in Grand Canyon National Park, one of the country鈥檚 most visited, if it weren鈥檛 for the . Powered by compressed natural gas, these white and green buses that all stop at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center have been in operation since the 1970s. Today, there are four routes including the Hiker鈥檚 Express, Kaibab Rim, and Village lines, that run year round (the Tusayan Route is seasonal). Service starts as early as 4 A.M. and continues past dusk, so you can definitely squeeze in a sunrise hike or sunset cycle. Traveling by bike? Shuttle buses have room for two or three bikes, so if you鈥檙e lucky, you can hitch a ride.

Pro tip: If you want to visit the more remote North Rim, make reservations (required) on the (from $120), which runs twice a day between May 15 and October 15.

The post The Best National Parks to See Without a Car appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

While other kids were meeting Mickey Mouse at Disneyland, I grew up going to听 and learning the difference between black bear scat and grizzly scat. My dad always joked that grizzly scat contains hikers鈥� bear bells. It’s how I learned to remember which bears were carnivores. For us Montanans, visiting Glacier, the holy grail of God鈥檚 country, was a given, a rite of passage. But for most of the national park鈥檚 鈥�3.1 million last year鈥擥lacier is one for the bucket list.

If you鈥檙e wondering what鈥檚 so special about Glacier, let鈥檚 start by singing the praises of scarcity. Not many places are left where you can see, let alone walk on, active glaciers. Still, the park is more than massive bodies of moving ice. It鈥檚 the 鈥溾�濃�攕o named because its one million acres are part of the largest intact ecosystem in the country. As kids, during class field trips to Glacier from Lewistown (my hometown in the center of the state), we studied everything from edible plants to aquatic insects. Standing on our tiptoes in the visitor center, we鈥檇 reach across a raised-relief map to touch Glacier鈥檚 8,020-foot Triple Divide Peak. The mountain is the only place in the country where : the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, or Hudson Bay.

In 1999, my family attended a Jack Gladstone concert at Glacier鈥檚 Lake McDonald Lodge and bought his cassette tape. His 鈥淗udson Bay Blues,鈥� a ballad about what it was like for Natives when the white man introduced the concept of shopping, was from then on our soundtrack for driving Going-to-the-Sun Road, the park鈥檚 main artery. Known as 鈥淢ontana鈥檚 troubadour,鈥� Gladstone is a member of the 鈥攖he state鈥檚 largest tribe and Glacier鈥檚 original inhabitants from long before . Fortunately, the tribe is still very active within the park: members lead and host info-rich presentations.

Whether you come for glaciers, grizzlies (in addition to bells, bring bear spray and know how to use it), or , you鈥檒l be in a near constant state of awe here. In his book , the great naturalist John Muir goes so far as to say everyone should spend at least a month in Glacier. 鈥淭he time will not be taken from the sum of your life,鈥� . 鈥淚nstead of shortening, it will indefinitely lengthen it and make you truly immortal.鈥�

What You Need to Know Before Visiting Glacier National Park

Cash isn鈥檛 king

In fact, it鈥檚 not accepted in the park, so plan on using your debit or credit card. You can also . Just make sure to print them or download them onto your phone before arriving at the park (where cell service is sketchy at best). , good for seven days, cost $15 if you鈥檙e on foot or bike, $20 for motorcycles, and $25 for vehicles. Rates increase by $5 to $10 May through October. Since the park is open 24/7, every day of the year, there may be no one operating the entrance kiosk; in that case, follow posted instructions for self-payment.

Beauty begets bumper-to-bumper traffic

in the summer can back up like an L.A. freeway. For that reason, vehicle late May through mid September to access both the road and the North Fork, the northwest corner of the park, where the roads are unpaved and services are few. To make a reservation, call 877-444-6777 or visit (and be prepared to pay a $2 processing fee). If you have reservations at lodging within the park (including campgrounds), or have booked a tour, that counts as your vehicle reservation.

Say goodbye to bars (of service) and gas

While I can usually get a signal in the area from West Glacier to Apgar Village and near St. Mary, most of the park is a dead zone. There are also no gas stations, so fill up in advance in the popular western and eastern entrance towns of West Glacier or St. Mary, respectively. Better yet, ditch the car and take advantage of the , which typically runs July 1 through Labor Day, with limited service through September. The shuttle vehicles are either Sprinter vans or 28-passenger buses, most equipped with bike racks. Additionally, special shuttles for hikers and bikers run every weekend from May through June.

Pets aren鈥檛 people, too

Unfortunately, Glacier isn鈥檛 very pet-friendly. No dogs are allowed anywhere outside of vehicles, except parking lots, developed areas, and the Apgar bike path.

How to Get to Glacier National Park

听At (a size that could swallow Rhode Island), Glacier has five entrances: two on the west and three on the east. You reach West Glacier, the most popular, by taking Highway 2 east of Kalispell for 32 miles. Once you are inside the park, continue 27 miles north on North Fork Road to the Pole Bridge entrance. On the east side of the park, most visitors enter at St. Mary or the Two Medicine entrance, both approximately a (rather flat and desolate) 150-mile drive northwest from Great Falls on Highway 89. To access the more remote Many Glacier entrance鈥攚here I once saw three bears on one hike鈥攈ead to St. Mary, continue north, outside the park, on Highway 89 for another nine miles, then turn left and take Route 3 for eight miles.

Glacier鈥檚 nearest airport is in Kalispell, about a 30-minute drive from West Glacier. Don鈥檛 be fooled by the word international; it鈥檚 a tiny facility, serviced by few flights. For more options and cheaper fares, consider flying into , a 2-hour drive south of Kalispell. Another possibility is , a 2.5-hour drive from St. Mary.

The park is also accessible by rail. Simply take train, which runs daily between Chicago and Seattle or Portland, the Pacific Northwest. The train stops in both East Glacier and West Glacier. While rental cars are available in East Glacier, they go fast, so reserve one in advance. West Glacier has no rental cars; however, connecting the train station to Lake McDonald Lodge, where you can catch the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle.

The Best Time of the Year to Visit Glacier National Park

Winter

Winter in Montana comes early. The higher-elevation roads in Glacier typically close for the season in October. Only the 11-mile stretch of Going-to-the-Sun Road between West Glacier and Lake McDonald is open year-round. Most park services, including visitor centers and lodges, also shut down. That said, in winter you feel like you have the park to yourself.

Spring

Spring in Montana comes late. Most park services remain closed until the end of May. It鈥檚 also common to receive winter storm warnings well past winter (welcome to Montana). But with spring runoff, these months can be the best for photographing the park鈥檚 200 waterfalls. Just don鈥檛 be surprised if you get stuck behind a snowplow. In March the Park Service begins clearing the roads鈥攁 Herculean task that can take three months.

Summer

Even if you have to circle the visitor center parking lot five times before finding a spot, it鈥檚 hard to hate on anything in July and August in Glacier. Going-to-the-Sun Road is completely plowed, and you can finally hike without postholing. All accommodations鈥攊ncluding 鈥攁re open, bears are out of hibernation, and wildflowers are in full bloom. Pro tip: book rooms as early as you can. Most sell out months in advance.

Fall

By early October, the park鈥檚 lower elevations are awash in a sea of yellow. While park services and roads start to close in September, there鈥檚 still a healthy population of hikers. August can see as many as 800,000 visitors, September welcomes about half that, and by October, the number dwindles to fewer than 100,000. Whether you鈥檙e bagging a peak or chasing that Going-to-the-Sun Road Strava KOM, it鈥檚 important to have bear spray on your hip (and again, practice with it). The park鈥檚 900 bears鈥攁n estimated 300 grizzlies and 600 black bears鈥攚ill be busy foraging for winter sustenance.

Where to Stay In or Near Glacier National Park

Hotels

Most in-park accommodations, operated by Glacier鈥檚 concessionaire, , open in May and close by September. Built of natural materials like wood and stone, they鈥檙e your quintessential examples of historic 鈥減arkitecture.鈥� Think two-star rustic digs, and forget about creature comforts like Wi-Fi, TV, and A/C.

The park鈥檚 most sought-after rooms are at (from $235), a five-story Swiss-inspired resort hugging the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake, and (from $127), overlooking the park鈥檚 largest body of water. Both were built between 1913 and 1915.

Your pull-up, park-in-front-of-your-room options include (from $235), the St. Mary area, and (from $137), Apgar. When I want to whip up my own meals, I crash at the (from $215), where units include small kitchens outfitted with the basics, including a microwave, coffee maker, stove, oven, and fridge.

The only Xanterra accommodation open year-round is (from $200) in Columbia Falls, about a 15-minute drive from West Glacier. Admittedly, I stay here for the amenities: an indoor pool, a 24/7 fitness center, and free continental breakfast. Sometimes I base out of 听Missoula, and then I hole up at the new (from $280). Its location is ideal for exploring the mountain-meets-college town, which boasts Montana鈥檚 best river surfing. The 2.5-hour drive from Missoula to Glacier cuts through lake country and is one of the most scenic drives in the state.

Chalets

Hands down, the most charming accommodations in the park are the historic chalets that look imported from Switzerland. You have to hike into (from $124) and (from $253), but that鈥檚 half the fun. The hard part is scoring a spot (reservation tabs on the above sites are I鈥檝e had friends try for years and still never get reservations.

Camping

Approximately 70 percent of go to those with advance permits/reservations. These permits are available at and cost $40 (with additional fees per person per night). Allow at least a month for your permit application to be processed.

Walk-in permits ($7 per person per night) are available at the Apgar Backcountry Permit Center, St. Mary Visitor Center, Many Glacier Ranger Station, Two Medicine Ranger Station, and Polebridge Ranger Station. Winter wilderness-camping permits, good November through April (when the grizzlies are, hopefully, deep in REM sleep), are free.

In addition to wilderness camping, Glacier has ($10 to $23 per night). Three of them鈥擣ish Creek, Many Glacier, and St. Mary鈥攔equire reservations. Apgar and Sprague Creek only require reservations in the summer. All reservations can be made via .

First-come, first-served is the name of the game at all other campgrounds. Most close in the winter, but a few stay open for primitive camping. None of Glacier鈥檚 campgrounds have electrical hookups, and most lack potable water or firewood for sale. Pets are allowed but must be leashed.

The Best 国产吃瓜黑料s in Glacier National Park

Glacier Viewing

Glacier is currently home to 25 active glaciers. Scientists estimate they could disappear, courtesy of climate change, as early as 2030. As a kid, I was disappointed to learn that most of them can鈥檛 be seen from the car. The exceptions are Jackson Glacier, which you can view from the overlook on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, and Salamander Glacier, visible from the road after passing the Many Glacier entrance booth. Others, including the park鈥檚 largest, Blackfoot Glacier, and one of its most photographed, Grinnell Glacier, require boots on the ground. And bring binoculars鈥攗nless you鈥檙e a bushwhacking badass, some glaciers can only be viewed from afar.

Hiking Trails

Glacier is God鈥檚 gift to hikers. The park boasts more than 700 miles of marked trails, many remote enough that you鈥檒l encounter more fauna than fellow Homo sapiens. Again, packing bear spray is a must. It鈥檚 also important to check trail-status reports. 国产吃瓜黑料 of July and August, many trails, especially at higher elevations, are hidden by snow. Footbridges aren鈥檛 installed until late May.

The in the Lake McDonald area include the Trail of Cedars, one of two wheelchair-accessible trails in the park, a 1.4-mile boardwalk loop that takes you through Glacier鈥檚 only such forest. On the far end of the spectrum is Mount Brown Lookout, a 10.4-mile out-and-back StairMaster of a trek, ascending more than 4,300 feet.

The area called Many Glacier, basically a mini park within the park, has , including Swiftcurrent Pass, Iceberg Lake, and Grinnell Glacier鈥攁 10.6-mile out-and-back culminating at a glacier you can walk across. Since much of the hike is exposed, wear plenty of sun protection.

The 15 trails at St. Mary鈥檚 include Otokomi Lake, an 11-mile round-trip hike peppered with waterfalls, and Siyeh Pass, a strenuous 9.7-mile point-to-point. The reward for all those switchbacks? Commanding views. Topping out at 8,100 feet, Siyeh Pass is one of the highest trails maintained by the park.听The more remote sections have 15 trails, ranging from those on rolling hills to the arduous Numa Lookout, an 11.6-mile out-and-back ending at a fire tower with vistas of Bowman Lake some 3,000 feet below.

Two Medicine Valley has another 12 trails; favorites in this area are Dawson Pass and Pitamakan Pass, which can be combined for a challenging 18-mile loop that crosses the Continental Divide twice. (Pro tip: shave off about three miles by taking the concession boat at South Shore Trailhead.)

For guided hikes, porter services, and van support, contact .

Biking Routes

What Glacier lacks in off-road mountain biking (spoiler alert: there is none), it more than makes up for in road biking. In my honest opinion, Going-to-the-Sun Road should be on every serious roadie鈥檚 short list. I usually start at Lake McDonald Lodge, where it鈥檚 about 21 miles and 3,500 feet of climbing to . Worried about the pain of that much elevation gain? The alpine vistas on either side are a great distraction. Note: between mid-June and Labor Day, portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road are closed to bikes between 11 A.M. and 4 P.M. And another note: packing warm, waterproof layers for the descent is key; every year rangers rescue cyclists suffering from hypothermia.

Bicycles are also allowed on the park鈥檚 unpaved roads and multi-use paths. Rentals are available at in West Glacier and at in Apgar Village. Expect to pay at least $50 for a hybrid and $130 for an e-bike. They go fast鈥攍iterally鈥攕o reserve your ride in advance.

Rafting Trips

Between the Flathead River鈥檚 North and Middle Forks, which form the park鈥檚 western and southwestern boundaries, you can enjoy everything from scenic floats through glacier-carved valleys to Class III rapids in winding canyons. The more remote North Fork, beginning in British Columbia, tends to be calmer. If whitewater floats your boat, opt for the Middle Fork.

Outfitters offering half-, full-, and multiday tours include , , , and , all located in West Glacier. Rafting season typically starts in May and runs through October.

Boating and Paddling

With more than 700 lakes, Glacier is a boater鈥檚 promised land. The crystal clear waters rarely get hotter than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in minimal vegetation and maximum visibility. Lakes near active glaciers even tend to be turquoise. At ten miles long and 464 feet deep, Glacier鈥檚 largest body of water, , is its unofficial boating hub.

To prevent bringing in aquatic invasive species (AIS), . There are inspection stations at Lake McDonald; Polebridge Ranger Station; the Many Glacier Area ranger station; and through the park’s AIS partners beforehand. See information on inspection and stations

Boating is allowed at Lake McDonald, Kintla Lake, Bowman Lake, Two Medicine Lake, St. Mary Lake, and Sherburne and Swiftcurrent Lakes in Many Glacier. The season varies by lake, with most opening in May and closing in late September. Didn鈥檛 BYOB? That鈥檚 OK. Rentals are available at in Apgar Village.

Glacier also offers guided boat tours. In Many Glacier, you can cross Swiftcurrent Lake on the historic Chief Two Guns, and the adventure continues on Lake Josephine aboard the Morning Eagle. At St. Mary, you may sail on Little Chief or Joy II past Wild Goose Island to Baring Falls. To experience the oldest wooden boats in the park, cruise Lake McDonald on the 70-passenger DeSmet or Two Medicine on the 49-passenger Sinopah. Both vessels, built in 1930 and 1926, are on the .

Snow Sports

While Glacier bans snowmobile use, it welcomes all winter warriors on skis, splitboards, and snowshoes. Rentals are available at and in Whitefish. Before sharpening those Salomons, however, always and the Flathead Avalanche Center for . There tends to be more snow on the west side of Glacier, as the east side receives warm Chinook winds. Average snowfall at park headquarters in West Glacier is 157 inches.

While most ski routes are unmarked, trail maps can be . The most popular place for winter sports is Upper Lake McDonald. Park at Lake McDonald Lodge for access to McDonald Falls, a four-mile round trip with waterfall views; Sacred Dancing Cascade, a 5.3-mile round trip with equally impressive waterfall sights; and Avalanche Lake, an 11.6-mile round trip with a frozen lake to look forward to (this last one is best left to intermediate and expert skiers).

There are also several trails near Polebridge, following unplowed roads from the starting point of the ranger station, and near Apgar, beginning at the horse barn. Not a fan of the repetition of out-and-backs? Try the 11.5-mile McGee Meadow Loop (and go counterclockwise if you want to avoid a steep uphill).

On the east side of the park, most of the action is at Autumn Creek, a challenging six-mile round trip beginning at the summit of Marias Pass. For rolling terrain with lake views, check out St. Mary鈥檚 three-mile Beaver Pond Loop or eight-mile Red Eagle Lake Trail.

Fishing

鈥嬧�媁ith more than 1,606 miles of waterways, Glacier attracts anglers like a lipless crank attracts a pike. You don鈥檛 need a fishing license鈥攋ust knowledge of which species are native. For the most part, it鈥檚 catch and release for all native species, including westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, and northern pike. There鈥檚 no daily limit (catch or possession) for non-native fish, which include rainbow trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and brook trout.

The rule is one rod per person, hook and line only, and no live bait. While lake fishing is allowed year-round, the season for most rivers and streams runs from May through November. Winter ice fishing is allowed; however, you鈥檒l get a hefty fine if you use a power auger. Rod rentals are available at in Apgar Village and in West Glacier.

Guided Tours

Glacier鈥檚 sheer size鈥攊t鈥檚 larger than Canyonlands, Grand Teton, and Rocky Mountain National parks combined鈥攍ends itself nicely to guided tours. The park鈥檚 iconic red vintage buses, nicknamed the Rubies of the Rockies, date back to the 1930s. In fact, they鈥檙e considered the world鈥檚 oldest touring fleet of vehicles. Expect to pay between $50 for a three-hour tour and $112 for an eight-hour tour. Most tours start in May or June and run through September.

, operating May through October, offers bus tours driven by local Blackfeet guides. The fleet of buses is owned by a married couple, Ed and Toni DesRosier, who are members of the and . Half-day tours start at $80, and full-day tours start at $130.

Another great way to see the park is . Guided horseback adventures run seasonally in Many Glacier and at Lake McDonald and Apgar. One-hour tours with , a family-owned business based in West Glacier, start at $75.

Educational Programs

In summer, rangers lead programs every day. Most are free, with the exception of some of the events, the National Park Service鈥檚 longest-running Indigenous-speaker series. Adult tickets for these events are $6. Local tribe members, like Jack Gladstone, host these popular evening presentations and programs.

, where I attended camp as a kid, is a nonprofit specializing in field-based learning. Sign up for courses and classes focusing on everything from birds of prey to landscape photography.

The Best Places to Eat and Drink Near Glacier National Park

I鈥檓 not going to sugarcoat it; meal options within the park are limited. On the plus side, the dress code is always hiker casual. At Lake McDonald Lodge you鈥檒l find , , and . For views, it鈥檚 hard to top the in Many Glacier Hotel, and if you want more casual fare, try the hotel鈥檚 or . Or head just down the road to , whose boxed lunches are a big hit with hikers. In St. Mary, it鈥檚 either starve or settle for , which gets points simply for being open.

, with beef so local you probably drove by pastures where that animal grazed, has East Glacier鈥檚 best wine list. Dining on the deck? Don鈥檛 be surprised if you see a moose. And order the famous huckleberry cheesecake before it sells out.

Dining in West Glacier doesn鈥檛 get better than the , where locals celebrate special occasions and the ambiance is as memorable as the menu. Sip craft cocktails by the 100-year-old fireplace or enjoy a flight of craft brews on the elevated deck. Hangry after hiking? Try the bison meatloaf or elk meatballs. Not a carnivore? Go for the red curry.

For a quick bite in West Glacier, trust the . This roadside Tex-Mex trailer is where your fishing and rafting guides refuel with massive burritos that make Chipotle seem like child鈥檚 play.

If You Have Time for a Detour

鈥婭n Glacier鈥檚 neighbor to the north, , where I learned to ride a big-girl bike, Alberta鈥檚 rolling prairie meets the stunning Canadian Rockies.

The 195-square-mile park, which combined with Glacier formed the world鈥檚 first in 1932, is home to more than 60 species of mammals. If you don鈥檛 see a bear or goat in Glacier, there鈥檚 a good chance you鈥檒l see it here. Waterton is just an hour鈥檚 drive north of St. Mary, with the border crossing at Carway or Chief Mountain. I鈥檝e always called Waterton a junior-varsity version of Banff (it鈥檚 beautiful, but Banff is beautiful on steroids). Banff is another 3.5-hour drive farther north. If you have time, visit both.

Flathead Lake is also worth the gas money. The largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, it鈥檚 where I learned that scuba diving in Montana was actually a thing. Basically, anything you can do on a huge body of water鈥攑lus hiking on an island home to herds of wild horses鈥攜ou can do on Flathead Lake. Every year my family vacations here, and I eat so many Flathead cherries that my fingers are stained pink for weeks. (I swear the 27-mile-long lake has as many orchards as boating ramps.) The lake鈥檚 northern shore is just 40 miles southeast of West Glacier.

How to Be a Conscious Visitor

As a result of the receding glaciers, it鈥檚 impossible to visit their namesake park without being conscious of climate change. Since automobile emissions are one of the biggest contributors (and gas prices are out of control), consider parking in Apgar or St. Mary and riding the shuttles. They鈥檙e either free or cost about what you鈥檇 pay for a gallon of gas. Round-trip fare from Kalispell to Apgar on is only $5. If you end up driving, and you see something worth stopping for, rather than idling (seriously frowned upon), please turn off your car. You鈥檒l be glad you did.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Glacier National Park appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Legend has it that, in 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton seeking men to help him become the first person to cross the continent of Antarctica. Fact or fiction, more than a hundred years later his risky appeal resonates with adventurous types who dream of contributing to a new discovery. From Asian steppe to Arctic sea, here are a handful of upcoming scientific (and science-inspired) trips that anyone鈥攚ho can afford the price tag鈥攃an join. 听

Chase Glaciers in Greenland

In July 2016听the mother daughter duo of Mindy Cambiar, a professional photographer, and Professor Sarah Aciego, a geologist and glaciologist, are taking up to eight guests on their 听with Bill Chill 国产吃瓜黑料s. The itinerary includes open speedboat icefjord excursions, kayaking under the midnight sun, hiking the most primitive trails, mountain biking on an ice sheet, and a helicopter flight to a supraglacial lake. The 12-day trip may also include dog sledding across an ice cap, weather permitting of course. Climate change will be the topic of exploration as Cambiar and Aciego race to document the most catastrophic glacier retreats in the world. $9,250 per person.听

Get Dirty Down Under听

Bush showers and creek baths will keep participants on Intrepid Travel鈥檚听 clean after long days of surveying local flora and fauna and assisting with other fieldwork and data collection. The weeklong trip is one of Intrepid鈥檚 most physically demanding but it鈥檚 also one of its most affordable at $2,170 per person. Nights are spent conducting nocturnal wildlife watching studies or around campfires at pretty rustic sites that include a forestry camp set up for leaf litter sifting, insect sorting, and reptile measuring. Data from the trip is analyzed and used to help predict which rainforest species are likely to become endangered or extinct in the coming decades. The next departure is February 2016.听

Follow in Shackleton鈥檚 Footsteps听

To celebrate the centennial of Sir Ernest鈥檚 famous voyage, Wilderness Travel is offering a 20-day led by the likes of climber Conrad Anker, conservationist Dr. Carl Safina, wildlife photographer Frans Lanting and Tim Jarvis鈥攖he climate scientist who re-enacted Shackleton鈥檚 800-mile rescue voyage in a wooden lifeboat replica. Participants will straddle the Antarctic Convergence, observe King penguin colonies, and visit active research bases including the British Antarctic Survey station and Poland鈥檚 Arctowski station. The voyage, which starts at $14,995, departs in November 2016 and travelers will stay on a 114-passenger boat featuring an ice-faring hull and a fleet of Zodiacs for shore excursions to sites like Elephant Island, where Shackleton鈥檚 22 men were stranded for more than three months.听

Excavate a Grassland Ecoregion

Aspiring archeologists have a unique opportunity to work alongside Dr. Joan S. Schneider next June on the now offered by Earthwatch. For years the focus in the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve has been on wildlife conservation but recently, it鈥檚 shifted to include excavating the rough terrain for historically significant artifacts left by varying civilizations ranging from the New Stone Age residents to more recent Tibetan Buddhists. Travelers can help Schneider and an entire team of international scientists identify and interpret petroglyphs, draft and photograph burial sites from the Bronze Age and catalog 6,000-year-old artifacts including tools, weapons and ceramics. The 9-day trip costs $2,525, and accommodations include a contemporary guesthouse and a gers, a traditional Mongolian yurt.

Pay Homage to the Past

Although scientists have been guests on its cruises for years, 国产吃瓜黑料 Canada is just now announcing its new Scientists-in-Residence initiative. Applicants can submit RFPs for the chance to conduct their research on any of the company鈥檚 2016 sailings including next August鈥檚 . Members of the general public can pay $8,995 to embark on the 17-day-long cruise and participate in the chosen resident scientist鈥檚 studies such as counting sea birds, harvesting complex organisms and documenting Inuit artifacts. The trip鈥檚 route is determined by the ice flow but will try to follow the paths carved by the first explorers who attempted to cross the Northwest Passage hundreds of years ago. Shore excursions include a stop at Beechey Island where the graves of many of the 134 men who perished on the infamous 1845 Franklin Expedition are found.听

Dive for Data in Ecuador

Dr. Andrea Marshall, whose moniker is the Queen of Mantas, was the first person in history to receive a PhD in manta ray ecology. Today, Marshall leads 听where she invites the SCUBA-certified public to help her study in aggregation sites such as Isla de la Plata. Her next expedition to this major manta ray habitat off the coast of Ecuador departs in September 2016 and will run between $2,200 and $2,400 per person for seven days. A percentage of each package price will be donated to the nonprofit, Proyecto Mantas Ecuador. Participants can expect to be trained in underwater photography and complete dozens of dives while assisting with genetics sampling, setting camera traps, tagging, measuring and updating the global manta ray database鈥攖he Manta Matcher.听

Learn Telemetry and Track Predators听

With the title of Mountain Coordinator, Veronica Baas has the responsibility of going up and down the mountain to check insect and mammal traps on Global Vision International鈥檚 . For $2,390, travelers can receive basic telemetry training and join Baas in tracking, darting and collaring Africa鈥檚 most feared carnivores including the cheetah, hyena, leopard, and lion. Data collected during the two-week-long expedition is used to determine how these predators influence prey populations. Commercial safari companies responsible for pay for sighting data and fund the research. Departures are monthly with migration patterns and game movements determining project specifics.听

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What鈥檚 just as awesome as听falling asleep to the acoustics of gently听crashing waves? Slowly waking up to that听same surround sound.听But also: easily catching sunrise (perhaps from your听kayak),听basking听in听buttery sunsets (possibly from your surfboard),听or just not having to wear shoes and socks听for days on end.听Before creating your听dream听crash pad听on the sand, check out these seven听must-do coastal campsites.

Best For: Kayaking听and Snorkeling

Parson鈥檚 Landing
Catalina Island, California
Price: $22 per night per person, plus one-time $20 locker rental

, just 22 miles off the , is a beach loved by hikers doing the 37-mile and kayakers and snorkelers who come to bask in the Caribbean-clear water. The kayak-in or hike-in campground sells out quickly, so you鈥檒l need to make reservations. You鈥檙e also required to purchase at least one locker per site ($20), which includes a bundle of firewood and 2.5 gallons of water. More gear can be rented in nearby and delivered to the campground.听

Best For: Beach Exploring

Shi Shi Beach
Olympic National Park, Washington
Price: $5 per night per person, plus $10 Makah Recreation Pass

The scent of driftwood campfire permeates the air at this 听at听the foot of northern Washington鈥檚 cliffy coastline. Reachable only听by a two-mile hike through the temperate rainforest, the entire site looks out onto a string of sea stacks, including ,听a national natural landmark about a 45-minute hike south. Consulting a听tide chart is a must, especially if you plan to explore the rugged coast鈥檚 tide听pools, grottoes, and caves.听

Best For: Photography

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Big Sur, California
Price: $30 per night per person

Imagine falling asleep to the sound of rustling giant redwoods, swaying cypress trees, and crashing waves. Then听picture waking up to one of the most dramatic parts of the craggy Big Sur coastline. That鈥檚 just the kind of fantastic reality that keeps the two听hike-in-only campsites at this almost constantly booked. Also driving home the dream: hiking to the 80-foot-tall (which听pours directly into the Pacific), beachcombing the purple-sand听shore and granite cliffs, whale watching, and in the park鈥檚 1,680-acre underwater preserve.听

Best For: Snorkeling and Diving

Garden Key
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Price: $3 per night per person

Plan now for the excellent on this remote听11-acre island 70 miles west of Key West. The 10 sandy sites fill up quickly, and while the national park won鈥檛 refuse you a space if you just show up (it鈥檚 a big empty island鈥攖here鈥檚 room), the only access to the site is by听, which takes no more than 10 campers per day. go on day tours听but refuse passengers with camping equipment. The stargazing is entrancing, but since 99 percent of this park consists of the (just 1 percent of the park is on land), snorkeling and diving are the real reasons to voyage this far into the Gulf of Mexico.

Best For: Backcountry Kayaking听

North Manitou Island
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
Price: $5 per person per night

Native American ruins thousands of years old听and abandoned industrial-age structures dot this paddler鈥檚听and backcountry camper鈥檚听 12 miles off the coast of Leland, Michigan. Once you obtain a , you can bunk up and put in anywhere along the 20 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, though there is a with facilities. The island is accessible by private boat or an infrequent that will transport your canoe or kayak. Once you鈥檝e had your fill of the water, try the 20 miles of hiking trails.听

Best For: Surfing and Fishing

Yakutat Beach Campground
Yakutat, Alaska
Price: Free

If coming to Yakutat, you鈥檙e already searching for extremes鈥攏amely, surfing this area鈥檚 legendary 25-foot, subzero swells or fishing for 10-to-22-pound wild steelhead in the Situk River. You can up the ante by sleeping at one of the three听听on the coast, where the closest source of clean fresh water is a four-mile walk to town.听Feeling a little less burly? 听are for rent not far away. With no roads going this far into Alaska鈥檚 Tongass National Forest, you have to .听

Best For: Escaping Cellular Service

Kalalau Beach Campground
Kauai, Hawaii
Price: Hawaii residents, $15 per person per night;听nonresidents, $20 per person per night. Includes permit.

The joy of听camping at is falling asleep knowing you鈥檙e at the turnaround point for the epic (and pretty dangerous) 22-mile round-trip namesake trail. These Napali Coast sites are spread out just behind the sand, some on old stone-walled agricultural terraces where locals once grew crops. A waterfall at the western end of the beach provides fresh drinking water (you should bring a filter) and a cool spot to mellow out before hiking back. Experienced ocean swimmers can swim to several sea caves, sea arches, and even the elusive 鈥攁 swim-in, swim-out-only cove.听

Plus: 3 Tips for Keeping Mosquitos at Bay

1.听Embrace the breeze. Mosquitoes hate wind (so does your tent), but you should set up camp where there is some moderate airflow.
2. Keep the fire burning. The smoke deters mosquitos听(but make sure fires are allowed at your campsite).
3. Wear neutral-colored clothing. Mosquitos are attracted to bright, vibrant colors.

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The measure of a great vacation isn鈥檛 in the square footage of your hotel room. It鈥檚 in the time you spend exploring your chosen destination. One way to make sure you don鈥檛 end up sequestered indoors? Base your travels out of a tiny home. Here are five听that鈥檒l make it easy.

Hawi, Hawaii

The Dragon Cabin
Square feet: 384听
Price: $75 per听night

Shack up in a on this Big Island听coffee farm managed by a local听multigenerational family. The cozy cabin has a fully equipped indoor kitchen, and because the bathroom and shower are located outside, there鈥檚 room inside for a California king bed. From here, it鈥檚 easy access to hiking in and surfing at . Plus, you鈥檙e just a ten-mile drive to hiking along听鈥檚 black sand beach.

Narsaq, Greenland听

The Great View
Square feet: 90听
Price: $500 per听week

The giant picture window with views of village, ceaseless fjords, and snow-capped mountains make this seem much bigger than it really is. It has room for a miniature living room, kitchen, bedroom, and terrace. And while showering is a no-go (running water is still a luxury in Greenland), you are treated to an outdoor wood-fired bathtub. During the day, explore southern Greenland by fishing, taking a boat out to the glaciers, or hiking among the ruins of old Viking homesteads and Inuit villages.听

Ojai, California

The Pine Cabin
Square feet: 120
Price: $570 per听week

Small doesn鈥檛 mean somber in this that comes with two outdoor showers, an outdoor kitchen, and a shared听hot tub. Inside is a writing听desk and queen-size听bed. A few miles up the road, you鈥檒l find plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails in . A few miles in the other direction puts you in artsy听downtown . But before you head out, fix yourself an omelet using fresh eggs from the owner鈥檚 chickens.

Seattle, Washington

The Gypsy Wagon
Square feet: 32
Price: $60 per听night

Seattle will feel like a small town if you stay this on wheels parked in a big backyard, where the owners keep a few chickens and bunnies. Despite the farmyard feel, this听wee home is in the heart听of , one of Seattle鈥檚 most desirable neighborhoods. Head out for a run among the nearby hilltop mansions (with the city鈥檚 best skyline and water views) or hop on a bus downtown, where you can savor the fresh听fish dishes at .

Upper Normandy, France听

The Little House in the Garden
Square feet: 130
Price: $50 per听night

You won鈥檛 need much more than the bed and wood-burning fireplace to enjoy this surrounded by a floral garden.听Relax, meditate, or pick fresh fruit before taking a day trip to some of Normandy鈥檚 finest beaches. Veules-les-Roses, arguably one of the most picturesque fishing villages in all of France, is only ten听miles away, and Annie, the home鈥檚 yoga-instructor owner, is happy to provide directions.

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Although fat biking is most often associated with snow, it has another, decidedly more chill time and place: the beach. Unlike traditional beach cruisers that limit riders to boardwalks and streets, fat bikes using 4-inch-wide tires can take on听or, as David Hunger, the fat biking founder of , says, 鈥渇loat on鈥� sand. Wider tires allow for lower tire pressure and, ultimately, a more even distribution of weight. But not all shorelines are created equal, nor do they have fat bike rentals within a 50-mile radius, so here are the beach towns that are embracing鈥攁nd shaping鈥攖his burgeoning sport.听

Oregon鈥檚 Beautiful, Bike-Friendly Coast

Newport, Oregon

With 363 miles of dramatic听and relatively undisturbed shoreline, Oregon is a blank canvas with huge beach biking potential鈥攅specially near Newport. At Newport鈥檚 Nye Beach, fat bikers pedal south to play on the dunes of South Beach State Park (camping is available) or head north to the tidal pools and historic Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. is one of only two bike shops on Oregon鈥檚 coast offering a fat bike rental fleet. ($20 per hour听or $50 per听day.) This spring, the shop will听lead听new guided tours along the seven听sandy and scenic (whale sightings are possible) miles between South Beach State Park and Ona Beach State Park.听

From Snow to Sand in Alaska

Homer, Alaska听

Alaska was one of the first states to embrace fat biking as it evolved from the mountain biking scene in the late 1980s and early 鈥�90s. The west-facing beach on Homer Spit鈥攖he world鈥檚 longest road into ocean waters鈥攊s popular with riders who do the nine-mile听out-and-back at low tide to take advantage of Kachemak Bay鈥檚 far-flung vibes. Stop for a drink at the . Every February, more than 100 riders (a lot for this town of 5,000 people) turn up for the , a low-pressure weekend of fat biking and beachside bonfires. Check out , where travelers can rent Mukluk Fat Bikes for $55 per听day or $325 per听week.听

Go Year-Round in San Diego

Coronado Beach, San Diego听

Being a meteorologist in San Diego is boring at best, but being a fat biker in the 鈥淐ity of Motion鈥� is 365 days of riding on the beach. From San Diego鈥檚 mainland, take your own fat bike on the Coronado Ferry (no extra charge for the bike) or rent one for $10 per hour听from , located near Coronado Beach,听home to the annual event where the Navy invites thousands to ride and run the 8.2-mile stretch of sand running south. It鈥檚 scenic, but be careful:听If you ride too far past Imperial Beach and the wetlands of the Tijuana Estuary, you鈥檒l find yourself in Mexico.

Compete on the Atlantic

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

On March 14, 2015, 听hosted the country鈥檚 first . Thirty fat bikers in three听divisions (8-, 16-, and 24-milers) battled each other and man-made hurdles, including inclines built of sand and speed bumps fashioned from logs. There was even a fat bike unicycle division (digest that for a minute). If obstacles and one-wheeled exploits are too daring, rent a fat bike from for $100 per听day and admire the Atlantic as you cruise around on island time. 听

Bomb the Dunes in Michigan

Ludington State Park, Michigan

Bombing dunes are part of the thrill of beach fat biking, and there鈥檚 no better place to find a sand hill than Michigan鈥檚 , on the coast of Lake Michigan. The park鈥檚 5,300 acres include some of the country鈥檚 most impressive dunes鈥攕ome as high as 140 feet. One popular ride is to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse (allegedly听haunted), where riders have reported seeing 15-foot听waves breaking just offshore. Only 20 miles inland is the town of Free Soil,听home to the headquarters of , the go-to place for custom-built tandem fat bike frames. 听

Float the Hardpack in Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida

The hard-packed sand of is easy to glide over and ideal for extended hours of fat biking. It was here that Mike Unklesbay set a for greatest distance cycled in 24 hours on a mountain bike (they call it a 鈥渇at听tire鈥澨齧ountain bike) when he rode 283 miles (in laps) in April 2014. Unklesbay鈥檚 bike of choice? A 29-inch fat bike built by ,听a company specializing in ultralight fat bikes designed for racing. When in Daytona, do as the locals do. Rent a fat bike from , which carries classic fat bikes and the new Xtreme Fat Tire Electric Bikes, or check Craigslist, where on any given day听it鈥檚 easy to find more than a few dozen fat bikes for sale.听

Bonus: Fat Tire Beach Biking Tips听

1. Resist the temptation to ride in the ocean. Saltwater will ruin your bike faster than you can curse the rust it causes.
2. Rinse your bike off as soon as you return from riding. Don鈥檛 delay, and use a wax-based lube after your ride听(most people make the mistake of lubing before) so it has time to dry.
3. Pay attention to the tides and your timing. Otherwise, you run the risk of the high tide cutting you off and trapping you miles from where you need to be.听

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The National Park Service doesn鈥檛 turn 100 until August 2016, but the celebration took off in earnest a few weeks ago with the launch of ,听a听multimedia marketing campaign with the goal of making听the National Parks System a destination for millennials (who records show aren鈥檛 visiting National Parks nearly as much as the generations before them) and urban dwellers.

Their plan is to give Park diehards a direct platform听to pull newbies into the outdoors.听鈥淭o preach the gospel about being active in these incredible places,听Find Your Park equips our veteran explorers with a mobile and online sharing platform to use with the tools they already have, like their smartphones and apps,鈥� says Clarence Fluker, Centennial Public Affairs Specialist at the National Park Service.听

To do your part, visit听, a site where visitors can upload photos and videos illustrating their national park experiences in hopes they will impact and inspire others to do the same. Kiosks that are appearing in , will display your work.听Then take the 鈥�,鈥� really a series of three questions about your ability level, interests, and location that will suggest Park ideas, or if you allow the website to know your location, it will spit out suggestions based on where you are. Hit up the website鈥檚 which offers free guides including The Places Nobody Knows (off the beaten path parks), 25 Unforgettable National Park Hikes, and Gimme Shelter (where you can sleep in and around National Parks).听

With the help of corporate sponsors, Find Your Park is promoting a听听contest showcasing 100 Find Your Park stories and featuring prizes including annual national park passes, camping gear, adventure kits, and a fully guided weekend getaway for two. These sponsors are also raising awareness about听Find Your Park in their own ways.听The American Hiking Society is inviting the public to upload headshots and their favorite hikes for a chance to be featured as the 鈥�.鈥� Through 2017, , a corporate sponsor of the campaign, will roll out new gear and programs tailored for national parks. Another sponsor, , will launch preferred access to national parks via its Subaru owner loyalty program. And there are celebrities.听, Honorary Co-Chair of the听, is just one of the big names lending her face and voice to the听听movement though online videos鈥斕齛nd are some of the others.听The U.S. Department of Interior and Glacier National Park are adding to the social noise by using the new live-stream app,听.

Even though much of Find Your Park鈥檚 programming has yet to be announced (there will be periodic roll outs throughought 2015 and 2016), the national parks push that started in December following the announcement of the NPS鈥� largest expansion since 1978 is already starting to make an impact.听

鈥淲e鈥檝e been guiding national park multisport tours for more than 40 years, but these past four months have been insanely busy. Our 2015 bookings are up 32 percent from last year鈥檚,鈥� says Dan Austin, President and Founder of , an adventure travel company owned by the largest national park concessioner in the U.S., .听

Last year saw the , with 292.8 million visits. But the NPS expects to surpass that number in 2015 and 2016.

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