Described as 鈥淎merica鈥檚 best idea,鈥� the National Park System was established in large part to protect the nation鈥檚 most precious landscapes, from the deepest canyons to the tallest peaks. Some of the parks are so dang beautiful, they鈥檝e been known to make people contemplate their own existence.

But not everyone traveling to a national park is moved to existential enlightenment. Some visitors come away angry, frustrated, or disappointed, and they turn to the internet to express themselves. Recently, for my annual end-of-year wrap up of the worst national-parks reviews,听I spent an unhealthy amount of time perusing visitor comments on national parks on Google Maps, Yelp, and TripAdvisor to find the best of them.

I learned a few things in the process. I learned听that a lot of people don鈥檛 like the timed entry and reservation systems that many parks have put in place to combat overcrowding. Like, a lot of people; I saw thousands of complaints on that topic. Also, the general lack of parking gets people fired up.

I discovered some really interesting and funny one-star (out of a possible five stars) reviews that spanned quite a spectrum, from someone complaining about the weather (apparently Canyonlands is too hot and sunny) or questioning humanity鈥檚 fascination with nature in general (to this person, Joshua Tree听is just a load of big stones).

Here are my favorite bad national-park reviews of 2024. As ever, we nod to , grandmaster collector of such information, which, as autumn lit up the multitude of colors in the national forest of Vermont, noted this doozy: 鈥淣ot a memorable place to go.鈥�

(Note: Some reviews below were edited for brevity, but I left spelling errors and grammar mistakes intact.)听

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park protects 500,000 acres of mountains, rivers and historic farmland that is widely recognized as the most biodiverse landscape in North America. But not everyone loves it.

鈥淭his is the Walmart of national parks.鈥� 鈥�Google Maps

鈥淎 terrible experience! This national park is the largest and most popular park in the middle of the United States and famous for their beers (sic). Every staff of the park told us that beers (sic) were everywhere. However, this park was really disappointing that I did not see any beer (sic). I only saw many turkeys and one fox鈥S]ummer might not be a good time to visit here because beers (sic) or other wild animals could hide in trees and bushes.鈥濃��Google Maps

2. Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada

This 3.4 million-acre park, straddling California and Nevada, is known for its deep canyons, salt flats, and ghost towns. The first commenter reviewed it without ever having been there.

鈥淗aven’t gone yet, will go soon, sounds hot tho.鈥濃��Google Maps

鈥淒on’t go, nothing to see鈥�.The rock formation is not that great, quite dusty, hot, etc. Feels like an open pit mine. The only use case I can see is if you want to 鈥� test yourself or your car AC.鈥濃��Google Maps

3. Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

Designated a national park in 2019, Indiana Dunes protects dunes and forest on the edge of Lake Michigan, all less than 50 miles from downtown Chicago. But apparently the park has some policies on parties.

鈥淐an’t grille, can’t smoke, can’t drink, can’t play loud music…who wants to just sit on sand.鈥�鈥擥辞辞驳濒别 Maps

4. Redwood National and State Parks, California

This collection of state and federally protected parks houses the world鈥檚 tallest trees, with landscapes spanning from rugged coastlines to thick interior woodlands. Tree color may be a subjective thing.

鈥淐alifornia sucks so I don鈥檛 know why I was surprised when I was very disappointed. The trees aren鈥檛 as big as everyone says and they鈥檙e not red either, terrible name. The National park should just sell the land and turn the trees into paper.鈥濃��Google Maps

5. Joshua Tree National Park, California

One of my personal favorite units in the park system, Joshua Tree is home to gorgeous desert landscapes full of boulders that attract climbers and gawkers alike.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just a load of big stones. If you go make sure to take a packed lunch and drinks, you鈥檒l certainly thank me.鈥� 鈥�TripAdvisor

6. New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

The newest unit to be granted full park status, New River Gorge is a multi-adventure playground with world-class paddling, rock climbing, hiking, and mountain biking. Other than that鈥�

鈥淚f you hike or like white water rafting, this is a great place. Otherwise, not much else to do.鈥濃��Google Maps

7. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

I haven鈥檛 visited Dry Tortugas yet, but it鈥檚 on my list because these islands west of the Florida Keys offer some of the most remote spits of land in America, with beautiful snorkeling and paddling. Some feel waterlogged though.

鈥淚 paid full price for only 1% of land??? Park is literally 99% water….. my shoes got wet too like what????? More like the NOT dry Tortugas鈥濃��Google Maps

8. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Couple the tallest sand dunes in North America with long-range views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and you鈥檝e got鈥�

鈥淭he only reason people go here is to buy a piece of fudge or a T-shirt. That’s about it. This is literally a dumping area for the fine sand used to make volleyball courts. The funniest thing to do here is simply people watching. They act like they never seen dirt before.鈥濃��Google Maps

9. Everglades National Park, Florida

Everglades protects the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi. This review is close to being a haiku.

鈥淣o cocodrilos.

no crocodiles seen

money is lost.鈥濃��Google Maps

10. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

This national park encompasses the 14,000-foot peak Mount Rainier, which also happens to be an active volcano. The duality of the situation is driving one visitor crazy.

鈥淭hey market this place as a beautiful mountain paradise full of pastoral hikes and woodland creatures but at the same time remind you it is ready to kill you and your entire family and surrounding towns without a moment’s hesitation. Come here if you want to be gaslit by a mountain.鈥濃��Yelp

11. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Picture alpine lakes set beneath craggy, 13,000-foot peaks, and you鈥檒l have an idea of the scenery within Grand Teton National Park. Meh.

鈥淚’ve seen better in video games smh. Mother nature better step it up.鈥濃��Google Maps

12. Sequoia National Park, California

California鈥檚 jointly managed Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are famous for their groves of giant Sequoia trees, a species that only grows on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The drive in to reach them is irking some visitors.

鈥淎 road that is truly too long and winding鈥’m still recovering from the tiredness and motion sickness of the 5 hours driving around tight curves.鈥濃��TripAdvisor

13. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

I recently decided that Capitol Reef is the country鈥檚 most underrated park for adventure. It has arches, canyons, domes, rock climbing, and gravel rides galore. One reviewer seems to be upset that the park didn鈥檛 take enough of his money.

鈥淭HIS PLACE SHOULD NOT BE A NP. It鈥檚 beyond mids and a waste of taxpayers money. Doesn鈥檛 even have a fee station to support itself鈥rotect the land no doubt but either charge everyone that comes through or make it a monument.鈥濃��Google Maps

14. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited parks in the country, with more than 4 million people clamoring to experience it annually. The park is so popular that management deemed a timed-entry system necessary to mitigate crowds. A visitor was not psyched.

鈥淲hat kind of communist came up with this system and why? I thought I lived in America, land of the free …. For all the Americans that didn’t even protest at all, thanks for nothing.鈥濃��Yelp

15. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

North Dakota鈥檚 Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the lesser-visited of our national parks, shown in the annual listings as attracting 750,862 visitors, when each in the top five attracts over 4 million (and Great Smoky Mountains NP receives over 13 million). So maybe it鈥檚 unsurprising that one visitor mixed it up with a different park.

鈥淢aybe I missed it but I didn鈥檛 see his face in any of the cliffs or mountains. Probably erosion. Time for a touch up.鈥�鈥擥辞辞驳濒别 Maps

16. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

Is there a landscape more dynamic than what you find inside Yellowstone National Park, where water boils and shoots into the sky like the fountains in Las Vegas?

鈥淲ater bubbling out of the ground. Wow.鈥濃��Google Maps

鈥淪ame thing (e.g. geysers) everywhere. I got bored the second day.鈥�鈥擥辞辞驳濒别 Maps

17. Yosemite National Park, California

驰辞蝉别尘颈迟别鈥檚 granite peaks, valleys, and mountains might have captivated Ansel Adams, but nobody ever mentions how uncomfortable nature is, do they?

鈥淎ll the hikes are uphill, and you’re practically climbing cliffs. I got soaked by several incredibly large waterfalls just by standing at the bottom.鈥濃��Google Maps

18. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Dubbed 鈥渢he land of stone and light,鈥� Badlands holds 224,000 acres of vast prairie and striking geological formations that seemingly rise out of nowhere. That didn’t satisfy this reviewer.

鈥淣ot enough mountain.鈥� 鈥�Google

听19. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

This national park is known for its deep, steep gorge and rugged terrain, and it has a savvy reviewer who wants it all to himself.

鈥淛K. It鈥檚 the best spot in CO. I went one star so that everyone stays away and keeps it this way!鈥�鈥擥辞辞驳濒别 听

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national parks columnist. He has complained about many ridiculous things during his life, but never once looked at the Teton Range and thought 鈥渧ideo games are cooler than that.鈥� See also his recent articles on ten years鈥� worth of awful reviews on the revered Grand Canyon, or what makes the perfect mountain town, loving surfing and surf towns, and why he plays golf two days a week and thinks about it even more.

The post The Worst National-Parks Reviews of the Year appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Hiking in our national parks is high on the list of many visitors, and long trails don鈥檛 always equate to the best views. In fact, many short, scenic options are just as worthy.

I love a good short hike, and on my adventures to all 63 U.S. national parks, I discovered that you don鈥檛 always have to go big to get big views. Maybe you have young kids in tow or are simply seeking a mellow day in nature. So I鈥檝e compiled a list of my favorite short hikes in national parks, each of which is postcard-worthy. All distances mentioned are round-trip.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Trail name:

Distance: 2.1 miles

I鈥檝e raved about the Bar Island Trail for 国产吃瓜黑料 before, naming it one of the best wheelchair-accessible hikes in the country. I still maintain that this gravel strip north of downtown Bar Harbor is one Acadia鈥檚 most unique hikes, because it鈥檚 an utterly accessible stroll that鈥檚 technically off-trail. Grab a , because the pathway trail is only water-free for 90 minutes before and after low tide, and say goodbye to those storybook cottages in favor of Bar Island鈥檚 rocky beaches.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Trail name:

Distance: 听1.6 miles

When I visited Big Bend鈥檚 Santa Elena Canyon in 2020, I rushed to get there just as the sun was setting, so I could watch that big fireball in the sky paint the limestone walls of the canyon in hushed, warm hues. But take your time driving the 30-mile to the trailhead, too. It鈥檚 home to the aptly named Mule Ears rock formations, as well as impressive Chihuahuan Desert vistas.

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Trail name:

Distance: 1.8 miles

Of all the trails I鈥檝e hiked on my three trips to Moab, Utah, this trek over to Grand View Point in Canyonlands has got to be the best low-effort, high-reward journey. Start from Grand View Point Overlook and, if you鈥檙e not afraid of heights and cliff edges, meander along tangerine-tinted cliffs on a relatively flat, 0.9-mile trail, with views stretching into a maw of the earth, where the Colorado and Green Rivers converge.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

Trail name:

Distance: 1.25 miles

I couldn鈥檛 create a list of the best easy national-park hikes without including something from Carlsbad Caverns, one of the most family-friendly and wheelchair-accessible parks of the lot. This trail can be accessed via the visitor center鈥檚 elevator, which travels 750 feet into the belly of the earth, or the 1.25-mile Natural Entrance Trail (yes, you can take the elevator back up to ground level). Then get ready to marvel at thousands of stalactites and stalagmites, many of which resemble hanging jellyfish and posh chandeliers.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Trail name:

Distance: 1.8 miles

July is my favorite month to summit 7,881-foot Watchman Peak, when the high-elevation wildflowers鈥攑urple lupine and bright fuchsia beardtongues鈥攁re in full bloom. Not only will you glean better views of Wizard Island as you climb, but from the top, you can check out a .

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Trail name:

Distance: 2 miles

There aren鈥檛 many maintained trails in Denali (or Alaska, for that matter), but the Savage River Loop is an excellent choice if you鈥檙e on one of the park鈥檚 famous hop-on, hop-off green transit buses that run between the entrance and the deep interior. In summer, enjoy the verdant tundra and views of the Alaska Range鈥檚 foothills as you follow the rushing Savage upstream for a mile before turning around. Bring your bear spray if you鈥檙e hiking in Denali鈥搕his trail was closed to hikers when I visited in 2020, due to a surly mama bear.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Trail name:

Distance: 5 miles

Avalanche Lake Trail is one of the most popular in Glacier鈥搃t鈥檚 shaded, has moderate elevation gain, and ends at a mirror-clear alpine lake, studded with waterfalls鈥攖he scene is like one from middle-earth. You can extend your trip into a six-mile journey if you stroll along the shoreline to escape the throngs at the turnaround point. Pro tip: if you plan to picnic at the lake, be sure to hide your food from crafty marmots out for a free lunch.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Trail name: South Kaibab Trail to

Distance: 1.8 miles

When I first laid eyes on Ooh Aah Point, I chuckled鈥攈ere was one of the most appropriate signposts for a view that I鈥檇 ever seen inside a national park. From this drop-dead gorgeous spot, located just 0.9 miles and 600 feet below the South Kaibab Trailhead, you鈥檒l be able to take in a mind-blowing assemblage of rust-red sandstone plateaus and mesas, stretching out as far as the eye can see. Feeling frisky? Extend your hike to (3.1 miles round-trip) for even more canyon magic.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Trail name: (also known as String Lake Loop)

Distance: 3.6 miles

For easy hikes in Grand Teton, I鈥檇 stay near the park鈥檚 shimmering , which boast impressive views of the immense, pointed mountains and but are home to trails that are relatively flat. This particular loop circumnavigates String Lake, with scene-stealing vistas of Rockchuck Peak and Mount Saint John along the way. Bring your SUP along and ply the lake鈥檚 cool waters after your jaunt.

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Trail name:

Distance: 2.8 miles

When I hiked this path with my partner in late May 2020, we ended up breaking trail in thigh-deep snow, but from June through September, this is an easy trek to many of the oldest trees on earth. Meditate among these gnarled beauties in the shadow of Wheeler Peak鈥攖he state鈥檚 second highest, at 13,065 feet鈥攁nd its myriad boulders. Want a longer variation? Continue along the same path to the Wheeler Peak Glacier for a 4.4-mile trip.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee

Trail name:

Distance: 2.6 miles

Beat the heat in America鈥檚 most-visited national park on this shaded stroll to a cascading waterfall, bookended by mossy boulders. You鈥檒l likely spot salamanders near the cool creek as you stroll through an old-growth hemlock forest and end up at the 25-foot-high Grotto Falls. Dip your feet into the refreshing water before turning back the way you came.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island

Trail name:

Distance: 2.9 miles

It鈥檚 rare to walk through a tropical rainforest, check out hissing steam vents, and witness an active volcano all in a single trail, but Hawaii Volcanoes is not your average national park. For the best experience, park near the visitor center, hike this well-maintained path at sunset, and try to spot the otherworldly pink glow of lava from the as it gets dark.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Trail name:

Distance: 4.3 miles

If you鈥檝e only got one day in Isle Royale, this is the trail to take. Beginning in the popular Rock Harbor area, on the main island鈥檚 eastern edge, the trail travels in and out of boreal forest and across dark gray volcanic rocks until it reaches Scoville Point, with its sweeping views of Lake Superior. When you鈥檝e had enough of feeling like you鈥檙e standing at the edge of the known world, return via the north side of the peninsula for even better forest bathing.

Katmai National Park, Alaska

Trail name: Brooks Falls Trail

Distance: 2.4 miles

Yes, getting to Katmai is a long adventure that involves a floatplane from Anchorage. I鈥檝e had the distinct pleasure of visiting the park twice, and it blew my mind both times. For starters, it鈥檚 a fantastic place to watch salmon swimming upstream from July through September. This also means it鈥檚 one of the best places in the state to watch hungry grizzly bears fattening themselves up on the spawning fish. Stow your food at , then cross the Brooks River on an elevated boardwalk trail. Once you reach the falls, have that camera ready to snap photo after photo of the ornery beasts feeding.

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Trail name:

Distance: 3 miles

Want to be wowed by sizzling hydrothermal features, but don鈥檛 want to travel all the way to Yellowstone? Lesser-known Bumpass Hell, apart from having an amazing name, is home to some seriously cool steam vents, scalding hot springs, and bubbling mud pots. After stretching your legs on the trail, take a dip in Lake Helen, just across Lassen National Park Highway, and crane your neck up at 10,457-foot-high Lassen Peak.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Trail name:

Distance: 4.7 miles

The Paradise area is my favorite section of this gorgeous park, and while I trekked along this moderate hike, I saw a huge, fluffy mountain goat and had terrific views of Rainier鈥檚 serrated glaciers. 72-foot-tall Myrtle Falls is the real showstopper, though, because it鈥檚 perfectly framed by trees beneath Rainier. If you鈥檇 prefer an ever mellower day out, you can turn this trek into a simple stroll via the Golden Gate Trail.

New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

Trail name:

Distance: 3.2 miles

Though New River Gorge is perhaps best known for its rock climbing and whitewater rafting, I thoroughly enjoyed hiking its many forested trails when I visited in 2021. This out-and-back to Long Point meanders through a forest of spruce and hemlock before popping you out onto a rocky ledge with one of the best New River Bridge photo ops in the park.

Redwood National Park, California

Trail name:

Distance: 3.5 miles

You鈥檒l need to to hike this lollipop loop, which meanders through some of the tallest trees on the planet, but any hassle is well worth it. Drive down a washboard road just east of Orick for roughly 6 miles and park in the designated dirt lot before descending 700 feet to the Tall Trees Grove, keeping your eyes peeled for epic oyster mushrooms and sword ferns along the way. I鈥檇 plan on spending at least an hour quietly perusing these ancient redwoods. This is forest bathing at its finest.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Trail name:

Distance: 5 miles

Technically, the Ute Trail is an eight-mile round-trip hike, but the best thing about one-way hikes is that you can make them as short as your heart desires. Beginning at the Alpine Visitor Center, which sits at a lofty 11,796 feet, this trail winds along moderately graded tundra slopes and offers awesome views of the Never Summer Mountain Range. Hike it in the morning to avoid the dangerous afternoon lightning storms鈥攎y partner and I once had to jam to find shelter on a too thrilling post-lunch trek.

Sequoia National Park, California

Trail name:

Distance: 2.8 miles

If you鈥檙e in Sequoia and planning on visiting the , which is the largest by volume on earth), I heartily recommend extending your forest-bathing stroll to include the Congress Trail. A mostly flat lollipop loop, it passes the enormous trees within the Giant Forest. Best of all? A few hundred feet past General Sherman, you鈥檒l escape the lion鈥檚 share of the crowds.

Virgin Islands National Park, St. John

Trail name:

Distance: 2.7 miles

Though this trail starts from an unassuming trailhead, right behind the park鈥檚 Cruz Bay Visitor Center, it quickly redeems itself with incredible views of aquamarine water, following a brief climb to 160-foot-high Lind Point. From there, you鈥檒l curve through the lush, humid forest and switchback down, down, down to Salomon Beach, which has all the tropical beauty of nearby Honeymoon Beach鈥攂ut none of the crowds.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Trail name:

Distance: 3.5 miles

After taking obligatory pictures of the and its roaring waterfall, I made a random left turn onto an uncrowded trail and quickly uncovered one of my favorite hikes in the National Park System. This trip out to Point Sublime showcases the churning Yellowstone River, hundreds of feet below, while following a forested edge of the canyon whose crimson-and-marigold-colored slopes plunge toward the current for the entirety of the hike.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Trail name:

Distance: 1.5 miles

This is the trail that most people think of when they picture Yellowstone鈥檚 most famous attraction, Old Faithful, with that meandering boardwalk stretching far beyond it. And, to be honest, it鈥檚 pretty darn incredible in person. Cross the Firehole River, and check out one of the world鈥檚 largest assortments of hydrothermal features on this flat, wheelchair-accessible loop. Be sure to download the app, which offers info on the predicted eruption times. My personal favorite geyser is Castle, which gushes up to 75 feet high and for as long as 20 minutes.

Yosemite National Park, California

Trail name:

Distance: 4.4 miles

Sure, this trek might not routinely crack the top ten听Yosemite trail listicles, but it鈥檚 the first place I take my friends who have never been to the park before. You鈥檒l set off from the iconic Glacier Point viewing area and then enjoy second-to-none panoramas of Half Dome, Liberty Cap, and 594-foot-high Nevada Fall for nearly the entirety of the hike. It鈥檚 also an ideal way to remove yourself from the Glacier Point parking-lot crowds and fully immerse yourself in the surrounds.

Zion National Park, Utah

Trail name:

Distance:听1 mile

Move over, Angel鈥檚 Landing. In terms of low-effort, high-reward hikes, this is easily the best one in Zion. Park near the Zion鈥揗ount Carmel Tunnel, on the less traveled eastern side of the park; from there this path climbs 163 feet, past vermillion layer-cake-like hoodoos and scrubby pin帽on pines. My favorite part is the turnaround point: you鈥檙e greeted with jaw-dropping views of the craggy Temples and Towers of the Virgin, sandstone monoliths that appear on park postcards. Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep.

Emily Pennington is a freelance writer based in Boulder, Colorado. Her book came out in 2023. This year she鈥檚 tackling loads of short hikes in the Rocky Mountains to get ready for a trip to remote East Greenland.

The post 25 Easy, Scenic National-Park Hikes Under 5 Miles appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

There鈥檚 nothing better than rolling up to an incredible panorama in one of our storied national parks. The following views, of high-desert mesas, moss-cloaked redwoods, vast mountain ranges, and more, have something to stoke the inner wonder of just about everyone.

I鈥檝e visited every national park in America, and some the most awe-inspiring experiences in each are the stunning overlooks. So I鈥檝e selected a list of my favorite vistas in all 63 parks, with a keen eye for easy access and geological diversity. Of course, I threw in a couple of leg-busting treks and arm-churning paddles for those among us who like to sweat to earn their views, too.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Cadillac Mountain Summit

When a national park institutes a vehicle-reservation system, it can feel like a giant red flag to head elsewhere in search of solitude. Not so with Acadia鈥檚 famed Cadillac Mountain, which can get quite crowded. From October through early March, this granite dome receives the first rays of sun in the continental U.S., and view-seeking visitors can gaze out at a smattering of wooded islets dotting Frenchman Bay as the sky lights up in hues of rose and coral.

Best Way to Reach This View: Don a headlamp for the predawn pedal 3.5 miles up to the 1,530-foot summit. Or hike the 2.2-mile (one-way) Cadillac North Ridge Trail, with an elevation gain of approximately 1,100 feet. For a hiking route up the North Ridge Trail, check out .

Arches National Park, Utah

Fiery Furnace Overlook

The next time you鈥檙e in Arches National Park, skip the masses at Delicate Arch and instead drive west to the labyrinth of striated red-rock pinnacles at Fiery Furnace, a scenic pullout that overlooks Utah鈥檚 La Sal Mountains. Serious hikers who want to get up close and personal with this vermillion jumble of rock need to nab a day-hiking permit ($10), or vie for the very popular ranger-guided tour ($16), bookable a week in advance.

Best Way to Reach This View: Motor the 14 miles north from the entrance station and follow the signs to the viewpoint. For a hiking route of the Fiery Furnace Loop鈥攁 valuable resource, as the Park Service warns visitors of the dangers of getting lost in the landscape鈥攃heck out .

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Big Badlands Overlook

Take a morning to enjoy a drive on Badlands Loop Road via the park鈥檚 northeast entrance and pull off at the first signed viewpoint, Big Badlands Overlook, for a sweeping panorama of the eastern portion of the park鈥檚 Wall Formation. Geology enthusiasts will marvel at the clay-colored stripes of the Oligocene-era Brule Formation and the charcoal gray of the Eocene-era Chadron Formation.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the town of Wall, take Highway 90 southeast for 20 miles, then turn south on Route 240 and continue for another five miles. The overlook is located just past the northeast entrance station.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

South Rim Viewpoint

Big Bend is a park that defies Texas landscape conventions, encompassing the verdant Chisos Mountains as they rise over 7,000 feet from the Chihuahuan Desert below, and the South Rim Trail is the best way to experience the majestic scenery. The southern tip of this 12.9-mile loop is where the viewpoint lies, with a vista of sprawling arid hilltops that spill into northern Mexico.

Best Way to Reach This View: Start at the Chisos Basin Visitor Center. At the fork, head either southwest toward Laguna Meadows or southeast toward the Pinnacles (the steeper pick). Expect an elevation gain of 3,500 feet and about six and a half hours to finish the entire thing. For a hiking route of the South Rim Trail, check out .

Biscayne Bay National Park, Florida

Boca Chita Key Lighthouse

One of the most scenic keys, Boca Chita is also one of the most interesting, home to a fascinating history of lavish parties thrown by wealthy entrepreneurs in the early 1900s. Legend has it that an elephant was once brought to the island for a wild soiree. These days the raucous festivities have died down, but the 65-foot lighthouse and its observation deck still offer a pretty swell view of shimmering Biscayne Bay, mangrove-lined lagoons, and the hazy Miami skyline.

Best Way to Reach This View: Book a guided boat trip with the Biscayne National Park Institute for an expert-led journey through the keys, with a stop at Boca Chita. Call in advance to find out whether a Park Service employee will be around to open the observation deck.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Painted Wall Overlook

If you make it to Black Canyon and don鈥檛 want to dirty your hands on the 1,800-foot scramble down into the maw of its craggy cliffs, make a beeline for Painted Wall Overlook, which peers out at the tallest cliff in the state (a whopping 2,250 feet from river to rim). If you鈥檙e lucky, you might even spot a few intrepid climbers scaling the face of dark gneiss and rose-tinted pegmatite.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the South Rim Campground, drive or bike five miles north on Rim Drive Road (closed November through April) until you reach the parking lot for the overlook; from there it鈥檚 a five-minute walk.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Sunrise Point

With its many-layered view of crumbling Technicolor hoodoos and a singular limber pine tree with roots akimbo, Sunrise Point is a fantastic place to start a day in Bryce Canyon. From here, you鈥檙e at a fantastic jumping-off point for exploring the rust-colored sandstone of Bryce鈥檚 namesake amphitheater via the Queen鈥檚 Garden Trail.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the park鈥檚 visitor center, it鈥檚 just 1.2 miles to the Sunrise Point parking lot. The walk to the lookout is another half-mile farther and is both pet- and wheelchair-friendly.

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Grand View Point

There鈥檚 a little something for everyone in this area of the park (Island in the Sky), whether you鈥檙e simply craving thoughtful moments gazing at the panorama at Grand View Point, or want to immerse yourself even more amid the natural surrounds with a mile-long cliffside stroll to a second viewpoint (Grand View Point Overlook) with even more jaw-dropping scenery, followed by class-two scramble if you鈥檙e so inclined. Whichever you choose, you鈥檒l be wowed by the amber and crimson mesa tops of the Canyonlands as you gaze down at White Rim Road and the churning Colorado River.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, head 12 miles to the end of Grand View Point Road for the initial viewpoint. It鈥檚 an easy amble to the second viewpoint, though unpaved.

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Panorama Point Overlook

Easily overlooked in favor of crowd-pleasing hikes to Chimney Rock and Cassidy Arch, Panorama Point is at its viewpoint best when the sun starts to set and the stars twinkle into being. The highlight is the cathedral-like red-rock towers that comprise the park鈥檚 famous Waterpocket Fold Formation, a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the earth鈥檚 crust.

Best Way to Reach This View: Panorama Point is a mere 2.5 miles west of the Capitol Reef Visitor Center. From its parking lot, it鈥檚 just 0.1 mile to the viewing area.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

Temple of the Sun

It鈥檚 tough to pick the most notable view in a cave-centric park that actor Will Rogers once called 鈥渢he Grand Canyon with a roof over it,鈥� but Carlsbad Cavern鈥檚 Temple of the Sun, with its mushroom-like stalagmite surrounded by thousands of spindly stalactites, takes the cake. Accessible via a ranger-led tour or a self-guided jaunt along the wheelchair-friendly Big Room Trail, these miraculous natural limestone sculptures are a bucket-list-worthy detour on any road trip.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the natural entrance, it鈥檚 1.25 descent to the Big Room via a paved pathway. Alternatively, you can drop deep into the cavern via an elevator, and then make our way to the Temple of the Sun.

Channel Islands National Park, California

Inspiration Point

In spring, tiny Anacapa Island bursts into bloom, and Inspiration Point is the best place for photographers and flower aficionados to admire the display of brilliant orange poppies, pale island morning glories, and canary-yellow sunflowers. Because the point faces west, head up to see the sun dip into the Pacific.

Best Way to Reach This View: Book a day trip to the islands with Island Packers, keeping an eye out for migrating gray whales en route. Inspiration Point is located at the halfway point of its namesake 1.5 mile loop, a flat route that begins at the Anacapa Visitor Center.

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Weston Lake Overlook

Years ago, we named Congaree鈥檚 Boardwalk Loop Trail one of the best wheelchair-accessible hikes in America, and Weston Lake Overlook is a phenomenal place to soak up the park鈥檚 shady expanse of old-growth hardwood forest. It鈥檚 also a great spot to birdwatch鈥搆eep your eyes peeled for the prothonotary warbler, American woodcock, and red-headed woodpecker.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the Sims Trail, branch off on the 4.4-mile Weston Lake Trail (marked by yellow blazes) and continue 2.4 miles along the wooden planks to the lookout.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Watchman Overlook

Featuring one of the most spectacular views of Wizard Island, a volcanic cinder cone at the western end of Crater Lake, Watchman Overlook and its eponymous observation station are must-see sites on any trip to this southern Oregon park. Look out for lilac-tinted phlox and delicate yellow buckwheat blossoms in the summertime. When you reach the summit, it’s everything you鈥檇 hope for: a 360-degree view of the deep sapphire tarn.

Best Way to Reach This View: Head out from the Watchman Overlook parking lot. You鈥檒l ascend 413 feet to the observation station and encounter a series of switchbacks near the top. The 1.6-mile out-and-back takes about an hour to complete.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Brandywine Falls

Tucked away between the urban centers of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley is a locally renowned national park full of lichen-splotched sandstone ledges, riverside biking paths, and picturesque waterfalls, of which Brandywine Falls is the most famous. Fall is a spectacular time to visit, when the 60-foot-tall cascade is surrounded by a fiery collage of foliage. Hikers who want more of an outing can stretch their legs on the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop to take in bright red sugar maples against the smoke-hued ravine.

Best Way to Reach This View: Though there is a designated parking lot for the falls, it鈥檚 often full, so plan to arrive before 10 A.M. or after 4 P.M. for a spot. From there, the upper viewing point is just a few hundred feet away via a boardwalk trail.

Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada

Zabriskie Point

Catching the sunrise at Zabriskie Point is the stuff of photographers鈥� dreams. Undulating ripples of golden and umber badlands stretch out all the way to Badwater Basin, a staggering 282 feet below sea level. In the distance, 11,049-foot Telescope Peak (the highest in the park) rises like an apparition as the morning鈥檚 first rays paint the summit of Manly Beacon in honeyed tones.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, within the park, drive five miles south on Highway 190 to the viewpoint.

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Wonder Lake

With only one byway through its 4,740,091-acre wilderness, Denali is a place where it pays to spend a little extra time exploring. Wonder Lake is about as close as you can get to the High One (as Native tribes refer to North America鈥檚 tallest peak) without donning a pack and making that arduous trek, and it鈥檚 the best spot to nab a photo of Denali reflected in a pool of mirror-clear water. Pro tip: Plan ahead and book a campsite at Wonder Lake Campground to enjoy dreamy morning vistas and evening ranger programs.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the park entrance, drive 85 miles west along the 92.5-mile-long Park Road.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Fort Jefferson Rooftop View

An enormous structure built with 16 million bricks, Fort Jefferson was a key defensive structure during the Civil War, used to protect Union shipments heading to and from the Mississippi River. Nowadays it鈥檚 the defining feature of Dry Tortugas National Park. From its cannon-dotted rooftop, you can spot shallow reef systems and admire the sandy beaches and endless aquamarine ocean.

Best Way to Reach This View: Take the daily from Key West to Garden Key, home to Fort Jefferson; entrance to the fort is included in the price of your ferry ticket (from $200). Head up to the uppermost tier during a guided ranger tour or on your own.

Everglades National Park, Florida

Anhinga Trail Covered Observation Deck

In a mostly flat park full of sawgrass slough, slow-moving brackish water, and tangles of mangrove trees, choosing a memorable view in the Everglades is a tricky task. Wildlife is the real showstopper, and along the Anhinga Trail, animal-savvy guests have a high chance of spotting purple gallinules, great blue herons, nesting anhingas, and the park鈥檚 most notorious resident鈥攖he alligator. Take a break in the shaded observation deck (and don鈥檛 forget the binoculars).

Best Way to Reach This View: The 0.8-mile (round trip) paved Anhinga Trail starts and ends at the Royal Palm Visitor Center. It is wheelchair accessible.

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Aquarius Lake 1, Arrigetch Valley

Rising out of the treeless tundra, the towering granite fins of the Arrigetch Peaks, in northern Alaska, look more like gods than monoliths. It鈥檚 a view worthy of the arduous journey to get to these reaches of the park, an area sometimes called the Yosemite of Alaska. The experts at Alaska Alpine 国产吃瓜黑料s offer guided trips (from $6,000), or if you鈥檙e fine seeing the razor-sharp summits from a plane window, Brooks Range Aviation (from $785) can arrange flightseeing tours.

Best Way to Reach This View: Visitors headed to the Arrigetch Peaks will do so via bush plane, landing on a gravel riverbank. Then it鈥檚 an eight-mile hike to set up camp in the valley below the peaks.

Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri

Luther Ely Smith Square

Gateway Arch is a park rife with human history, from the once massive Native city of Cahokia to the famed Dred Scott court case, which hastened the Civil War when the Supreme Court judged that no Black people were entitled to citizenship. The best vantage point from which to take it all in is Luther Ely Smith Square, which, in addition to boasting a sky-high view of the iconic chrome arch, overlooks the historic Old Courthouse.

Best Way to Reach This View: The square, a downtown St. Louis greenspace, is located between the Old Courthouse and the Mississippi River.

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Margerie Glacier

Flip through any traveler鈥檚 photos from Glacier Bay, and you鈥檙e likely to see snaps of the icy, serrated teeth of the Margerie Glacier, dramatically calving into the Tarr Inlet from the Fairweather Mountain Range. Stay on the lookout for harbor seals and playful sea otters on recently separated icebergs.

Best Way to Reach This View: Book a ($262.44) for the best access to this rapidly changing river of ice.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Swiftcurrent Lake

The Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park is such a coveted road-trip stop that the Park Service instituted a new vehicle-reservation system for it this year. The most striking panorama of Grinnell Point, Mount Wilbur, and Angel Wing鈥攁ll visible from the 鈥攊s worth any extra entry-permit effort.

Best Way to Reach This View: Lace up your boots for an easy 2.7-mile hike that circumnavigates the lake. Better yet, book a room at Many Glacier Hotel so you鈥檒l have the view all to yourself when the day crowds disperse.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Desert View Point

Sure, Mather Point steals most of the attention when it comes to the Grand Canyon鈥檚 South Rim, but I prefer Desert View, near the park鈥檚 eastern boundary, for its peaceful campground and dearth of visitors. Plus, the site鈥檚 famous watchtower, designed by Parkitecture maven Mary Colter, was inspired by the Ancestral Puebloan peoples of the Colorado Plateau, and it makes a fantastic focal point when snapping photos of 鈥渢he big ditch.鈥�

Best Way to Reach This View: For the most scenic route, head 23 miles east along Desert View Drive from Grand Canyon Village.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Jenny Lake Overlook

Go early to skip the Grand Teton鈥檚 throngs and park at Jenny Lake Overlook to admire second-to-none views of craggy Cascade Canyon and the razor-like protrusions of igneous granite that rise sharply from its depths. From here, visitors can take in the sheer enormity of the Teton Crest, with outstanding photo ops of Mount Moran and Teewinot Mountain. If you鈥檙e up for a hike, try the seven-mile Jenny Lake Loop, which offers even more epic lake scenery, as well as potential sightings of moose and bald eagles.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the town of Moose, within the park, head nine miles north on Teton Park Road to the lake.

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Mather Overlook

Nearly every national park has a Mather Overlook, named after the first director of the National Park Service, and at Great Basin, in eastern Nevada, his namesake viewpoint offers a grand perspective of 13,000-foot Wheeler Peak, the second highest in the state. Flanked by ancient bristlecone pines, which can live up to 5,000 years, the mountain is split dramatically in two, with the breathtaking Wheeler Cirque crumbling into a sepia-stained bowl beneath the prominent summit.

Best Way to Reach This View: This is an overlook that can only be accessed between June and late October due to hazardous conditions that close roads in winter. From the eastern park entrance, head west along the 12-mile Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. A pullout for the overlook is about halfway.

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

High Dune on First Ridge

Though it鈥檚 the most popular day-hiking objective at Great Sand Dunes, in southeastern Colorado, the trek up to High Dune is sure to leave even the most seasoned hiker huffing and puffing. With a lofty elevation of over 8,000 feet, and the effort required to plod uphill against the drag of sand, be prepared for burning calves and bring plenty of water for the 2.5-mile slog to the summit. The view from the top is truly spectacular, however, with awesome sights to the听 towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains鈥揾ome to ten fourteeners.

Best Way to Reach This View: There are no trails in the entire park, but you鈥檒l see the High Dune from the main parking lot. Cross Medano Creek and then start making your way up to the top, logging an elevation gain of 700 feet. For most hikers, getting up and back takes two to four hours.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee

Charlies Bunion

The four-mile (one way) hike to Charlies Bunion is one of the most thrilling in Great Smoky Mountains, due to the sheer number of iconic sights along the way. You鈥檒l be wowed by rolling, verdant mountains and wend through northern hardwood forests and past rhododendron shrubs before topping out at 5,565 feet.

Best Way to Reach This View: Park at Newfound Gap, on the Tennessee鈥揘orth Carolina state line, then hitch a left onto the Appalachian Trail and proceed to the summit. For a hiking route up Charlies Bunion, check out .

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Salt Basin Dunes

Ask any ranger in Guadalupe Mountains National Park where to watch the sun set over the 鈥淭op of Texas,鈥� and they鈥檒l tell you the remote Salt Basin Dunes, in the park鈥檚 northwestern corner. Made of bright white gypsum, this sandy expanse showcases the unbelievable prominence of conifer-topped Guadalupe Peak, once a sprawling coral reef when the Delaware Sea covered a large swath of America roughly 275 million years ago.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the Pine Springs Visitor Center, it鈥檚 a 47-mile drive to the Salt Basin Dunes parking area; from here, hike a mile and a half to reach the actual dunes.

Haleakala National Park, Hawaii

Puu Ula Ula Summit

Much like Acadia鈥檚 Cadillac Mountain, you鈥檒l need a special timed reservation to take in the sunrise atop Haleakala鈥檚 10,023-foot summit (reservable up to 60 days in advance), but after 7 A.M., day-use visitors can enjoy the show as well. From this incredible vantage point鈥攖he highest on Maui鈥攜ou can enjoy top-down views of the huge, richly colored crater, as well as the Big Island if the weather鈥檚 clear.

Best Way to Reach This View: The drive to the top from the Summit District entrance takes up to three hours and sees a change in elevation of 3,000 feet, so get ready to rise early and be fully awake before you attempt the narrow, winding road.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Kilauea Overlook

If you鈥檙e in Hawaii and eager to see some lava, head for this park鈥檚 Kilauea Overlook, located near the southern end of the Big Island. A hike will allow you to take in the dramatic aftermath of the site鈥檚 2018 eruption and subsequent summit collapse, but if you鈥檇 rather not work up a sweat, park at the viewpoint鈥檚 lot at sunset and stand in awe of the otherworldly pink glow emanating from the bowels of the earth.

Best Way to Reach This View: Trek the flat, 2.5-mile (one way) Crater Rim Trail, which can be accessed from a handful of popular tourist spots along Crater Rim Drive.

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Hot Springs Mountain Pavilion

Much of the joy of a visit to this national park is relaxing in the town鈥檚 historic Bathhouse Row. If, however, you鈥檙e willing to get in a bit of exercise on your spa-cation, there are some sincerely stellar views to be had of this quaint Ouachita Mountains community鈥攁nd the hike to this pavilion is at the top of my list. (Many also buy a ticket and ride a 216-foot elevator to the top of Hot Springs Tower for expansive vistas of the surrounding Diamond Lakes area after reaching the initial viewpoint.)

Best Way to Reach This View: Take in the stately architecture of thermal-bath palaces on the Grand Promenade, then ascend the 0.6-mile Peak Trail, just off the promenade, until you reach the pavilion, which faces south.

Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

Lake View Beach

Right next to the park鈥檚 Century of Progress Homes, a gaggle of experimental houses left over from the 1933 World鈥檚 Fair in Chicago, is Lake View Beach, which gazes out from the southern tip of Lake Michigan. On a fair-weather day, visitors can make out the right angles of the Windy City鈥檚 high-rises, but at sunset, the sky turns to breathtaking shades of fuchsia and the waves crashing along the sandy shore feel more like an ocean than a Great Lake.

Best Way to Reach This View: It鈥檚 55 miles from the center of Chicago to the town of Beverly Shores. Look for the parking area dedicated to the beach.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Scoville Point

Named some of the best 100 miles of trail in the entire national park system by , the day hike to Scoville Point showcases this region鈥檚 boreal forest at its best. Not only does the path run parallel to the shoreline for near constant views of Lake Superior, it also boasts some striking scenery. Hunt for moose munching among stands of balsam fir, and at the end of the trek, feast your eyes on rocky islets dotted with conifers, a trademark of Isle Royale鈥檚 archipelago.

Best Way to Reach This View: Though there鈥檚 more than one way to arrive at the point via the Stoll Memorial Trail and then the Scoville Point Trail, the easier (and shaded) way is to amble adjacent to Tobin Harbor to the tip of the peninsula.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Keys View

Named after the Keys family, who built and maintained one of the most successful homesteads in Southern California鈥檚 arid Joshua Tree desert, Keys View is a thrilling destination for road-tripping travelers who want to feel as though they鈥檙e standing at the edge of the known universe. A 500-foot, fully paved loop allows guests to savor a vista of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, Coachella Valley, and Salton Sea.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, drive 21 miles south to the terminus of Keys View Road.

Katmai National Park, Alaska

Brooks Falls

Most travelers to Katmai National Park are there for one thing and one thing only鈥�grizzly bear viewing鈥攁nd the boardwalk overlook at Brooks Falls is perhaps the best spot in the U.S. to watch these 700-pound mammals fish. You won鈥檛 be disappointed.

Best Way to Reach This View: Following a brief, ranger-led bear orientation, take the 1.2-mile (round trip) Brooks Falls Trail to a wooden platform overlooking a roaring waterfall, which, if you鈥檙e lucky, will give you the experience you came for鈥攗rsine creatures hungrily snatching salmon from the air. For a hiking route to Brooks Falls, check out .

Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

Aialik Glacier

It takes effort to get out to Aialik Glacier (typically a two-hour boat ride, followed by three miles of kayaking), but along the way, you can search for wriggling sea otters, playful Dall鈥檚 porpoises, spouting humpback whales, and soaring bald eagles. Once face to face with this moving sheet of ice, the most rapidly calving in Kenai Fjords, paddlers have the opportunity to watch and listen for 鈥渨hite thunder,鈥� the sound huge hunks of ice make when they crash into the sea.

Best Way to Reach This View: I used Kayak 国产吃瓜黑料s Worldwide for my adventure to Aialik Glacier (from $489; trips available mid-May through early September), based in Seward. You鈥檒l first take a water-taxi trip south to Aialik Bay, a fantastic way to spot all kinds of wildlife, before suiting up at a beach and sliding into your kayak. Expect to paddle for three hours.

Kings Canyon National Park, California

Evolution Lake

This one鈥檚 for all my backpacking brethren. As a predominately wilderness-designated area (meaning that trails can only be used for hiking and horseback riding, and human development is extremely minimal), Kings Canyon is a mecca for trekkers who鈥檇 rather don a pack for dozens of miles than motor around to car-friendly overlooks. The lake is a sparkling cobalt gem flanked by glacier-polished granite peaks. One thing鈥檚 for certain鈥搚ou鈥檒l find pristine solitude when you arrive.

Best Way to Reach This View: The lake can be accessed via the 211-mile John Muir Trail, a 36-mile loop departing from Bishop, or a pack-animal trip out of Muir Trail Ranch.

Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

Great Kobuk Sand Dunes

Kobuk Valley often rounds out the list of least-visited national parks, but there鈥檚 a small landing strip situated at the edge of its most noteworthy geological feature, the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, that makes this far-out park accessible for anyone who can tolerate bush planes.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the small town of Kotzebue, hop onto a flightseeing day tour with Golden Eagle Outfitters, or splurge on a 12-day hiking and packrafting trip with Alaska Alpine 国产吃瓜黑料s that starts and finishes in Fairbanks.

Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

Turquoise Lake

Flanked by 8,000-foot peaks and a colorful array of tundra plants like crowberry and reindeer lichen, Turquoise Lake is a quintessential example of an outrageously teal, glacially fed tarn. It鈥檒l take a bit of extra effort to get there (compared to commercial-flight-accessible Port Alsworth), but expert guiding services offering kayaking and hiking trips will handle all the logistics for you, so you can relish the extraordinary ridges and ravines of the Alaska Range.

Best Way to Reach This View: There are no roads in the park. You鈥檒l have to take a small plane in to reach the lake. We suggest going on an outfitted trip, again with .

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Cinder Cone Summit

After a hamstring-busting two-mile ascent to the top of Cinder Cone, in Northern California鈥檚 often overlooked Lassen Volcanic National Park, hikers have a chance to view one of the most eye-catching geological features in the entire park system. The aptly named Fantastic Lava Beds surround the park鈥檚 incredible painted dunes, a series of warm-toned hills of oxidized volcanic ash. Grab a site at Butte Lake Campground to revel in marvelous night skies, just a short jaunt from the trailhead.

Best Way to Reach This View: Take Highway 44 about 24 miles from the park鈥檚 northwest entrance to a six-mile dirt road that leads to the Butte Lake Day Use Area. Cinder Cone Trailhead is located near the boat ramp.

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Drapery Room

Home to the longest known cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave, in central Kentucky, is not a park that鈥檚 typically recognized for its naturally sculpted cave formations (like those found in Carlsbad Caverns). However, guests who embark on the ranger-led Domes and Dripstones tour can witness remarkable stalactites and stalagmites, plus wavy drapery-style limestone formations that look like a canopy on a princess鈥檚 four-poster bed.

Best Way to Reach This View: You鈥檒l have to sign up for a tour at the visitor center and be able to descend and climb back up a series of stairs.

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Cliff Palace Overlook

No visit to Mesa Verde is complete without a trip to Cliff Palace Overlook, which offers a majestic view of the largest Ancestral Puebloan dwelling in the park. With over 150 rooms and 21 kivas (ceremonial spaces), this site was thought to be a vibrant gathering place with a population of roughly 100 people. You鈥檒l see and learn about 800-year-old stone structures. Ranger-guided tours are also available for a closer glimpse of Ancestral Puebloan architecture.

Best Way to Reach This View: Head down Chapin Mesa to the six-mile Cliff Palace Loop and pull off at the designated parking area.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Myrtle Falls

The imposing face of 14,410-foot Mount Rainier, the most glaciated peak in the lower 48, looms perfectly above the idyllic cascade of Myrtle Falls, creating a postcard-worthy photo op for passing hikers. Along the hike in, learn about the park鈥檚 remarkable wildflower displays and try to spot purple penstemon, crimson paintbrush, and porcelain bear grass from the path.

Best Way to Reach This View: Take a 0.8-mile stroll (round trip) along the Skyline Trail, located in the park鈥檚 popular Paradise area.

National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa

Pola Island Trail

Near the tiny village of Vatia, on the northern shore of Tutuila Island, the forested 0.1-mile Pola Island Trail boasts a jaw-dropping view with minimal effort. Park in the shade near a sign marking the well-worn, easy path, then hop over a boulder-strewn beach to soak up incomparable views of ragged Pacific coastline, swaying palm trees, and the craggy cliffs of Pola Island, one of the park鈥檚 most important nesting sites for seabirds like boobies and frigates.

Best Way to Reach This View: To reach the trailhead, drive past the last house at the end of the road in Vatia. The road then turns to dirt, and you鈥檒l come upon a small parking area. You鈥檒l see a sign for the short trail leading to the beach.

New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

Long Point

Yes, you could drive up to New River Gorge鈥檚 namesake bridge for kickass views, but my favorite photo op of the famous roadway lies at the end of the 1.6-mile (one way) trail to Long Point. Not only will visitors here get to meander through a forest of hemlock, beech, and white oak, but they鈥檒l also glean outstanding glimpses of rafters floating down the New if they time their outing just right.

Best Way to Reach This View: The Long Point Trailhead is off of Gateway Road, about two miles from the town of Fayetteville.

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Sahale Glacier Camp

One of the most memorable things about North Cascades (apart from its generally crowd-free hiking trails) is its plethora of hanging glaciers, strung between high alpine summits. The moderate 3.7-mile (one way) trek to Cascade Pass will wow you with sensational panoramas of granitic cliffs plunging into Pelton Basin, but for a real showstopper, plan an overnight backpacking trip and continue up the broad shoulder of Sahale Mountain, pitching a tent at Sahale Glacier Camp and enjoying its bird鈥檚-eye view of the Triplets, Mount Baker, and Mount Shuksan.

Best Way to Reach This View: You鈥檒l reach the starting point for the Cascade Pass Trailhead at the end of Cascade Pass Road. For a hiking route to Sahale Glacier Camp, check out .

Olympic National Park, Washington

Rialto Beach

Consult a tide chart before heading out, then motor over to Rialto Beach, on the northwestern shoreline of Washington鈥檚 Olympic Peninsula. There you鈥檒l find enormous driftwood logs, rocky sea stacks, and bold surfers braving the chilly Pacific Ocean. If you feel like stretching your legs, an easy three-mile (round trip) walk along the coast will bring you past tidepools crawling with life to Hole in the Wall, a volcanic outcropping with a natural arch that鈥檚 perfect for pictures.

Best Way to Reach This View: The beach is about 75 miles from Port Angeles. Once you reach Olympic, you鈥檒l be on Highway 101, the road that goes around the park. Exit onto La Push Road and drive eight miles. Then turn onto Mora Road, and after about five miles you鈥檒l find the parking lot for the beach.

Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Kachina Point

Though the park is best known for its logs of crystallized conifers, Petrified Forest is also home to some seriously colorful painted-desert hills. At Kachina Point, located just outside the 1930s-era Painted Desert Inn, the rich reds and tangerines of these undulating knolls are on full display. After a quick photo break, be sure to check out Hopi artist Fred Kabotie鈥檚 gorgeous murals on display inside the inn.

Best Way to Reach This View: The point is located about two miles from the north entrance of the park. Stroll on the accessible trail behind the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark to the overlook.

Pinnacles National Park, California

Condor Gulch Overlook

Pinnacles is a funny little sleeper park that鈥檚 often overshadowed by California鈥檚 celebrity public lands like Joshua Tree and Yosemite, but anyone who鈥檚 ventured into the park鈥檚 golden breccia spires knows that they鈥檙e a worthy road-trip destination. Condor Gulch Overlook gives guests a chance to enjoy an up-close view of the park鈥檚 famous pinnacles on a well-worn, family-friendly path. Bring your binoculars and try to spot an endangered California condor.

Best Way to Reach This View: The overlook is one mile from the Bear Gulch Nature Center.

Redwood National Park, California

Tall Trees Grove

When in Redwoods, it鈥檚 necessary to make a pilgrimage to Tall Trees Grove, a stand of old-growth sempervirens that protect the tallest trees on earth. Don your hiking shoes for a 4.5-mile (round trip) moderate hike around a lush forest of mossy coastal redwoods that鈥檒l have even the grinchiest people believing in fairies. The whole hike takes around four hours.

Best Way to Reach This View: First reserve a free for an access code to the area鈥檚 restricted road to the Tall Trees Trail. It鈥檚 an hour drive, parts of which are on a narrow and winding dirt road, from the park visitor center to the trailhead.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Mills Lake

On my first-ever trip to this national park, 国产吃瓜黑料 writer Brendan Leonard told me that if I only made it to one lake inside the park, it had to be Mills Lake, and boy, was he right. Start at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and hike 2.6 miles鈥攑ast rushing waterfalls and huge granite boulders鈥攂efore dipping your toes into the frigid snowmelt of Mills Lake, which overlooks the dramatic northern crags of Longs Peak.

Best Way to Reach This View: Head south on Bear Lake Road for about eight miles and park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Ascend the trail from there to Mills Lake. Arrange a vehicle reservation (or free park shuttle) if you鈥檙e traveling between May and October. For a hiking route to Mills Lake, check out .

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Wasson Peak

When you鈥檝e had enough of Saguaro鈥檚 thorny, many-armed cacti from the vantage point of your car window and you鈥檙e ready to get your heart rate up, head to the commanding summit of 4,688-foot Wasson Peak, the tallest in the park鈥檚 western section. Keep your eyes peeled for petroglyphs as you ascend past saguaro, ocotillo, and prickly pear cactus. Once you reach the top, give yourself a high five and look out across the urban breadth of Tucson all the way to the park鈥檚 eastern Rincon Mountain District.

Best Way to Reach This View: Park at the Kings Canyon Trailhead and then expect a strenuous four-mile hike (and nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain) to the summit.

Sequoia National Park, California

Bearpaw Meadow

Bearpaw Meadow is one of those miraculous, only-in-the-parks vistas that dreams are made of, and getting there is an adventure all its own. You鈥檒l be treated to soul-stirring views of the imposing granite domes and summits of the remote Sierra Nevada. Set up your tent at Bearpaw Meadow鈥檚 backcountry campground, or, if you鈥檙e feeling spendy, get a glamping tent and dinner at High Sierra Camp.

Best Way to Reach This View: From the park鈥檚 iconic Crescent Meadow area, which hosts a grove of towering old-growth sequoias, hike for 11.4 miles to Bearpaw Meadow along the High Sierra Trail, taking in inspiring views of Moro Rock, the powerful Kaweah River, and the Great Western Divide.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Hazel Mountain Overlook

Rise before dawn and cruise along Shenandoah鈥檚 winding, 105-mile Skyline Drive to admire profound sunrise views from this east-facing overlook. An unusual outcropping of ancient granite makes the perfect ledge from which to enjoy Virginia鈥檚 rolling pastoral hillsides as the sky turns from apricot to bright blue.

Best Way to Reach This View: Enter the park at the Thornton Gap Entrance Station. The overlook is at mile 33 on Skyline Drive.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

River Bend Overlook

The large stone shelter at River Bend Overlook, in eastern North Dakota, makes for a picturesque family portrait, with a backdrop of shrub-speckled badlands and a U-shaped swerve in the serpentine Little Missouri River. It鈥檚 a vast and gorgeous view out onto the river valley.

Best Way to Reach This View: Enter the north unit of the park on Scenic Drive. The overlook is about eight miles in. Park and walk up a short trail to the viewing deck. For a closer look at the park鈥檚 iron-impregnated sandstone and wavering grasslands, hop onto the 0.8-mile Caprock Coulee Trail and saunter away from the automobile crowds.

Virgin Islands National Park, Virgin Islands

Cruz Bay Overlook

So much of Virgin Islands National Park, on the island of St. John, is about appreciating the scenery beneath the waves. But the Cruz Bay Overlook, on the moderate Lind Point Trail, is a great stopover between snorkeling trips. Pull off at the signed viewpoint for a commanding look at the boat traffic sailing to and from gorgeous Cruz Bay, the island鈥檚 main port. If you鈥檙e looking for a little more exercise, continue on to Solomon Beach for a secluded white-sand oasis.

Best Way to Reach This View: The Lind Point Trail starts just behind the park visitor center and ends at Honeymoon Bay or Solomon Bay. A spur off the trail leads to the Cruz Bay Overlook.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Kabetogama Lake Overlook

Whether you鈥檙e just driving through Voyageurs or you鈥檙e renting a houseboat for the entire family, this wheelchair-accessible overlook on the edge of enormous Lake Kabetogama will provide a fantastic cross section of the area鈥檚 natural wonders. Tiny islets are freckled with boreal forest. White and red pines intersperse with fir and spruce trees. And the distant, mournful call of a loon can often be heard at dusk.

Best Way to Reach This View: It鈥檚 an easy 0.4-mile trail to reach the overlook. The trailhead is at the third parking area on Meadowood Drive near the Ash River Visitor Center.

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

Roadrunner Picnic Area

In the heart of White Sands, the Roadrunner Picnic Area offers guests a cozy resting place, surrounded by a vast expanse of glowing white gypsum dune fields. The site鈥檚 futuristic picnic tables, complete with corrugated metal awnings to protect against ferocious wind and sun, are a fabulous spot from which to enjoy and explore this New Mexico park as the sun sets beyond the Organ Mountains.

Best Way to Reach This View: The picnic area is located about six to seven miles on the main road from the fee station.

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Rankin Ridge

The historic fire tower atop Rankin Ridge dates back to 1956, and though visitors are not permitted to climb it, it sits on the highest point in Wind Cave (5,013 feet) and makes for an excellent photo backdrop. You鈥檒l look down at the park, which is home to some of the last preserved mixed-grass prairie in the country.

Best Way to Reach This View: From Custer, take Route 16A East for 6.5 miles and turn south on Highway 87. After 13 miles, look for an access road leading to the trailhead. It鈥檚 a short and easy half-mile hike through fragrant ponderosa pines to the top.

Wrangell鈥揝t. Elias National Park, Alaska

Root Glacier Trail

Brave the bumpy, winding McCarthy Road all the way to the once thriving mining community of McCarthy and cross the footbridge to get to Kennecott, a historic town that serves as the center for all things Wrangell鈥揝t. Elias, including the majestic trail along the colossal Root Glacier. Bring your bear spray and go it alone, or hire a guide to learn more about the site鈥檚 copper-mining past. Spoiler alert鈥搚ou can also book a crunchy crampon trek atop the glacier. Either way, you鈥檒l be treated to awesome views of Mount Donoho and the 6,000-foot-tall Stairway Icefall.

Best Way to Reach This View: The Root Glacier Trail starts in Kennecott, and about 1.5 miles in you鈥檒l reach the glacier. If you plan to walk on the glacier, hire an experienced guide and wear crampons.

Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming

Artist Point

Named for its proximity to a famous oil painting by 19th-century painter Thomas Moran, Artist Point is the most stunning place from which to gaze at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its mighty waterfall. That being said, it does get crowded in summer months. If you fancy a short hike with similarly epic vistas, amble along the signed trail to Point Sublime (2.6 miles round trip) for an even better glimpse of the canyon鈥檚 multicolored walls.

Best Way to Reach This View: For a hiking route to Artist Point, check out .

Yosemite National Park, California

Glacier Point

After a yearlong closure in 2022 for road rehabilitation, travelers can once again drive to Glacier Point and see the broad panoramas of Half Dome, Nevada Fall, and Mount Hoffman. Wander around the accessible, paved pathways near the gift shop or hitch a ride onto a portion of the Panorama Trail for a similar view, sans the crowds at this very popular park.

Best Way to Reach This View: Drive 13 miles on Wawona Road from Yosemite Valley, then turn onto Glacier Point Road at the Chinquapin intersection. Hikers: Start at the Four Mile Trailhead in Yosemite Valley. It鈥檚 a strenuous 9.6 mile (round trip) hike to the point.

Zion National Park, Utah

Canyon Overlook

Canyon Overlook, in Zion鈥檚 eastern section, is one of the most impressive low-effort, high-reward hikes in the country. The reward is a breathtaking view of the cathedral-like golden spires of Towers of the Virgin, in the park鈥檚 main canyon.

Best Way to Reach This View: Park near the tunnel on the eastern side of the Zion鈥揗ount Carmel Highway, then take a series of stairs and sandstone slabs for a mere 0.5-miles (one way) until you reach the lookout on the edge of the cliffs.

As our 63 Parks columnist, Emily Pennington, visited and wrote about every single national park in the U.S. She鈥檚 also the author of the recent book Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America鈥檚 National Parks.

The post The Best Scenic View in Every National Park appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

We鈥檒l be talking about the winter of 2022鈥�23 for years. Epic snowfall blanketed much of the western U.S., creating the best ski season in memory. So far that snowpack is delivering one of the best spring rafting seasons in decades.

But all that precipitation and increased snowpack also left a lot of destruction in its path, including damage to the infrastructure in some of our national parks, with projected flooding from the spring thaw prompting temporary closures in others. For example, in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, in California鈥檚 Sierra Nevada, the record snowfall and heavy rains led to rockfall and road damage, causing closures throughout the park.

鈥淚t was an intense winter for us, and we鈥檙e still plowing snow and working hard on road construction,鈥� says Sintia Kawasaki-Yee, chief of communications with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a different spring [than usual], with some areas closed.鈥�

Other major events include the closure of the famous Narrows hike in Zion, flood warnings in Yosemite, and campgrounds still under snow at Grand Canyon.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been challenging, but I don鈥檛 want people to think they shouldn鈥檛 come to the parks,鈥� Kawasaki-Yee says of Sequoia and Kings Canyon. 鈥淭here are still things to do. They just need to be prepared and aware of certain closures.鈥�

All of that snowpack means water tables are replenished to some degree, and more water is flowing through the West鈥檚 parched river basins. Lake Mead and Lake Powell, both of which sit on the Colorado River, are already seeing a rise in lake levels. And park employees are working diligently to clear the snow, repair road damage and get things open.

Here are seven national-park delays and closures that are a direct result of extreme weather, as well as our advice for how to deal and find alternatives.

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Record-setting snowfall has delayed the spring opening date of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, Wheeler Peak Campground, and popular hikes like the Alpine Lakes Loop inside Great Basin National Park, as portions of the park are still buried. The roads, campgrounds and trailheads within the higher elevations of the park typically open at the end of May, but the park service expects a delay until July 1. Park management also says hikers should be cautious of flash-flood conditions as temperatures warm. Get current conditions

Our advice: Wheeler Peak Campground might be closed, but Baker Creek and the Upper and Lower Lehman Creek Campgrounds are open on schedule. If you can鈥檛 hike the high terrain, consider going underground鈥� are operating as usual.

Yosemite National Park, California

In Yosemite, Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) is closed from the park boundary to the Merced Grove while crews repair cracks in the roadway up to four feet deep and 200 feet long from recent storms. The park expects the road to be closed until mid-June and possibly into July, which means visitors coming from the west will have to take an alternate route to access Yosemite Valley. The Mariposa Grove Road is also closed due to storm damage through May and into June. Visitors wanting to reach Mariposa Grove will have to hike two miles each way, with a 500-foot elevation gain. The park is also closing Lower and North Pine Campgrounds starting May 15 due to potential flooding from snowmelt. There鈥檚 no current timeline for the campgrounds to reopen. See conditions

Our advice: If you want to explore the Valley, Highways 140 and 41 are still open from the west. If you鈥檙e looking to camp in the Valley, Camp 4 campground is open, first-come, first-served until May 21, at which point you鈥檒l need advance reservations. Upper Pines Campground is also still open and requires reservations.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Grand Canyon has had to delay the opening of the North Rim until June because of record snowfall. The North Rim saw more than 250 inches of snow this winter, burying the Grand Canyon Lodge, necessitating plowing and facility repair. The North Rim campground will open June 9, while the North Kaibab Trail will be closed until June 1 for trail reconstruction due to rockfall and landslides. Current conditions

Our advice: You鈥檒l have to be patient if you鈥檙e set on exploring the North Rim. Until the park service can clear the snow, the South Rim is your destination, with plenty of options for hiking and camping. We say bring your bike and pedal Hermit Road, which has more than half a dozen scenic overlooks, and is closed to all vehicles (except park shuttles) from March 1 to November 30.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California

Roads inside Sequoia National Park suffered damage from the winter storms, closing all but six miles of the Generals Highway, the main access road, within the park and preventing access to the giant sequoias at this time. The Giant Forest, Wolverton Snowplay Area, Lodgepole, Wuksachi and Moro Rock Areas are closed until at least June 9, while Crystal Cave and Mineral King Road will be closed throughout the summer because of road damage. Cedar Grove, inside Kings Canyon, is also closed due to severe road damage on Highway 180. Management doesn鈥檛 expect the road to reopen until fall. The park service updates road closures frequently and maintains a map of current road status within the park. Check conditions

Our advice: The Foothills Area of Sequoia, which is accessed by the first six miles of Generals Highway, is open, and has its own system of hiking trails and camping at Potwisha Campground (reservations required). The wildflowers are going off in this section of the park this spring, but there are no large trees. Park management is recommending visitors go to Grant Grove, in Kings Canyon National Park, to see the giant trees.

Zion National Park, Utah

In Zion, the popular Narrows hike, through a slot canyon along the Virgin River, is closed indefinitely due to the unusually high snowmelt and the flow levels in the Virgin River. The park service closes access to the Narrows any time flow levels exceed 150 cfs, and this spring levels have not dipped below 600 cfs. Emergency responders have already had to rescue one woman from the Virgin River鈥檚 Grotto area, in April.

Meanwhile, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive has been reduced to one lane because of road damage caused by rockfall, which caused a fissure in the road, and Kolob Canyons Road is closed beyond the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center for the same reason. See updates

Our advice: The shuttle is still operating on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, so your hiking plans are still intact. While you wait for the Narrows to reopen, try to score a to hike the Subway, a strenuous 9-mile round trip hike through a slot canyon on the Left Fork of North Creek.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah and Arizona

Here鈥檚 some good news: The winter鈥檚 snowfall and subsequent melt is raising the water level of Lake Powell, inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. As water levels have receded on the lake during the last 20 years, park management has had to close a number of boat ramps, severely limiting boater access. But this spring, the opposite is happening; Glen Canyon recently announced the Bullfrog North Boat Ramp, in north Lake Powell, is operable again for houseboats and larger vessels. More than a dozen ramps and access points remain inoperable because of low water levels, but spring runoff has already raised the lake level by 10 feet. Check for updates

Our advice: Take advantage of the higher water while you can. Launching on Lake Powell can be easier at the higher water and you can paddle deeper into narrow gorges like Antelope Canyon and Lone Canyon.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona and Nevada

While all that snow in the mountains is helping replenish Lake Mead鈥檚 coffers (lake levels had risen by three feet as of May 1 and could rise several more by the end of July), the summer heat is expected to put a crimp on hiking plans in the recreation area. Lake Mead has already announced seasonal closures to strenuous areas and trails from May 15 to September 30, citing a sharp increase in medical-emergency calls each summer. To prevent potential distress and tragedies, the park service is closing the following areas: Goldstrike Canyon, White Rock Canyon ad White Rock Canyon Trail, Arizona Hot Springs and Arizona Hot Springs Trail, Liberty Arch Trail, Lone Palm Trail, Sugar Loaf Trail and the Lone Palm and Sugar Loaf surrounding areas. See updates

Our advice: Take to the water. While the Goldstrike Canyon and White Rock Canyon Trails are closed this summer, the hot springs at the end of those trails are not. In fact, they鈥檙e accessible by boat from Lake Mohave. Just limit your soak time. You know, because it鈥檚 hot outside.

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national parks columnist. He continues to be fascinated by how this winter鈥檚 epic snowfall is impacting outdoor recreation well beyond the last of the flurries.

The post National Parks Close Roads and Campgrounds and Delay Summer Openings appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Last Thanksgiving Beth Bennett, a scientist and former Outward Bound instructor, visited Sequoia National Park for the first time, and went for a trail run.

鈥淚 had never seen the big trees,鈥� she says of the giants for which the park is named, their survival now threatened by climate change and wildfires. 鈥淚 wanted to see them before they disappeared. Some of the trees I ran through had burned, some had died, and some had survived with massive scarring鈥� from fires in 2021. On some affected trees, only a small amount of the lower trunk was burned, and she saw green foliage; others were blackened, charred 50-foot stumps, 鈥渃ompletely dead.鈥�

The next day Bennett, a Ph.D and former professor at the University of Colorado who hosts the 鈥淗ow on Earth鈥� radio science show, wrote a letter in support of the nonprofit Unite the Parks, which was campaigning to designate a 1.4 million acre swath of land between Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks and Yosemite National Park as a national monument.

鈥淭he trees are so magnificent, they deserve protection,鈥� Bennett, of Boulder, Colorado, says. 鈥淪ome of the largest living creatures on the planet, they can鈥檛 escape from fire or other environmental hazards. We have to do that for them.鈥�

Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, Yosemite National Park, and the land between them contain these trees, which are found only on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada in California, at elevations between 4,000 and 8,000 feet. Yet the sequoias are just one part of a massive ecosystem. Just before the holidays, legislators took the major step of proposing that the swath between the two parks, Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings Canyon, which are jointly managed, be designated a new national monument.

On December 15, the California Democratic Congresspersons Jackie Speier and Jerry McNerney introduced the Range of Light National Monument Act to designate this 1.4-million acre parcel of federal land as a monument 鈥渢o protect the environmental and ecological stability of these lands for future generations,鈥� according to a by Speier. 鈥淩ange of Light鈥� is the name the great naturalist John Muir gave the Sierra.

The proposal is intended to preserve plant life and habitat, make recreational use a priority, and end extractive use such as logging and mining on the land. The designation would create the longest interconnected wilderness in the contiguous United States, from Yosemite National Park to the consolidated Sequoia-Kings Canyon parks.

Deanna Wulff, executive director of says in an interview, 听鈥淲e want them to restore the entire landscape.鈥� Speaking of the two major national parks, one to the north and one south of the swath, she says, 鈥淭he missing piece is the Sierra National Forest, and it has all that front country that is unprotected. It鈥檚 still being logged. They have mining and grazing. We want them to stop doing those things and create a recreational area for people and a wildlife refuge for animals.鈥�

A monument designation would stop commercial logging, while allowing controlled burns. Management of the region would pass from the Sierra National Forest, which controls 1.3 million acres, and Bureau of Land Management, which manages the 7,000-acre San Joaquin Gorge section, to the National Park Service. National Parks are historically focused on preservation, and National Forests are managed for multiple purposes, from timber to recreation.

The lands, according to the statement by Speier, 鈥渃ontain half of California鈥檚 native plant species, including the iconic Giant Sequoia and other rare and endangered wildlife, while its three major watersheds provide drinking water for millions of people. It鈥檚 unacceptable that extractive industries, roads, and wildfires have placed these treasured lands at great risk, severely degrading some areas already.鈥� 听

The maintains that a monument would provide habitat and migratory corridors, that the ecosystem contains diverse forests that 鈥渇ight climate change, store carbon, and support a vast array of California鈥檚 wildlife,鈥� that the area is used by many recreationalists, and that the legislation would protect Native American cultural sites and practices.

The area, largely wilderness, is used by hikers, bicyclists, birders, picnickers, anglers, campers, rock climbers, boaters, and horseback riders. 鈥淚t鈥檚 backcountry, and it鈥檚 massive,鈥� Ken Etzel, a biologist and longtime former resident of Bishop, California, says. Several years ago he hiked through the area on the Sierra High Route, marveling at one point, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 even know where I am. But it鈥檚 beautiful.鈥�

The conservation group Unite the Parks, based in Mariposa, has been pushing the project since 2017, Wulff herself for longer. In 2013, she began driving around in a beater truck, knocking on doors with a clipboard in hand. One summer in the mid-1990s, she had been waiting tables at the Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite to pay for graduate school when a rental situation collapsed, and she ended up camping in the woods alone. While she was originally fearful, she says, 鈥淎fter a month of being outside, either hiking or waking up to the sun and the birds singing and the smell of the pine, I knew I had never felt better in my life. 鈥� And from that point forward I rearranged my whole career and life to spend my summers exploring. The Sierra Nevada is my favorite place ever. As time passed I saw that it was degrading, and it was heartbreaking, and I felt that I needed to do something.鈥�

In 2003, she volunteered in the permit office and backcountry in Sequoia National Park, and in 2008 worked there as a campground ranger. She has also worked as a river guide for Friends of the River, of Sacramento.

The Unite the Parks website states that the proposed monument 鈥渋s endorsed by 153 businesses and organizations, 200 scientists [Beth Bennett is one], 20 members of the House, the Democratic National Committee and the California Democratic Party.鈥�

If the monument is realized, logging, grazing and mineral extraction leases would be phased out. According to the hydroelectric facilities would remain in operation, 鈥渁nd people who have cabins or own private land in the monument wilderness could continue to use them.鈥� Persons who have bought cabins on public lands on Huntington Lake, for example, would still be able to use and own them.

Whether the bill has much chance is not clear at this time. It is opposed by those with mining, timber, and grazing contracts, and by the Republican California U.S. Representative Tom McClintock. A private Facebook group called , formed seven years ago, had 5,506 members as of early January. McClintock (whose office has issued no new since December 5) has been a strong supporter of the timber industry and the economic use of public lands, saying in a 2020 that logging and grazing contracts benefit communities and areas, producing 鈥渉ealthy forests, fewer fires and a thriving economy.鈥�

Wulff says most of the mining claims are not active. 鈥淭here are relatively few grazing leases, about 20, and there are timber sales, private inholdings, and a few active mines.鈥� She has never seen any active mining in the area, she says, but is aware of applications. Numerous calls to the Sierra National Forest Headquarters in Clovis, California, seeking those numbers met with a malfunctioning phone system, and an email there was not immediately returned.

An email to Forest Service National Headquarters for the same purpose received this reply: 鈥淧lease note the numbers we are able to provide for grazing and mining are for the entire Sierra National Forest, so the numbers won鈥檛 be exact to the proposed boundaries. There are 27 active grazing allotments, and the grazing use of the allotments are governed by 18 currently active term grazing permits. Note that from a legal standpoint, grazing permits are not considered leases. There are no active mines with an approved plan of operations. However, there are a number of mining claims.鈥� The spokesperson declined comment on the monument proposal.

鈥淭he driving economic force in the area is really recreation,鈥� Wulff says. 鈥淧eople need nature, but it鈥檚 also great business. You come here and go on a bike ride, you鈥檙e hungry, you want a burger. And this landscape needs a lot of help.鈥�

A clause in the bill specifies that displaced workers from the timber industry would receive priority in hiring for future area jobs in management, restoration, and services. The bill also provides for buyouts of timber contracts.

Sean Kenneth Jones of Midpines, near Mariposa, calls the swath of land up for designation 鈥渁 wonderful abyss.鈥� Jones has been climbing in the proposed region since 1989, establishing over 100 first ascents on Shuteye Ridge and in the region behind it, a recessed bowl between the ridge and the Mammoth area containing numerous cliffs. The great climber Royal Robbins was an early explorer here, referring to the area as the Hinterlands, a phrase that appears in other sources. Jones sees maybe a dozen other climbers in the area regularly, also campers, some bikers, a few anglers, many hunters, and many ATV users, whom he says generally stay on the roads: 鈥淭hey鈥檙e not burning new paths, they鈥檙e cool about it.鈥�

He supports the idea of a monument. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a no brainer, protecting the area from many, many things. That would be amazing. I hope not to see mass easy access, though.鈥� He laughs. 鈥淚 hope they protect everything but leave the dirt roads dirt.鈥�

He feels a 鈥渄eep connection鈥� to the area, describing dense forests, high granite meadows, pine trees, river land, streams, forest marshlands, and lily-pad zones. 鈥淚t鈥檚 close to home, I found it with my brother, I go there with my children. They鈥檝e been going there since they were one year old. It鈥檚 real camping, removed. It鈥檚 magical. I鈥檝e always wondered why it 飞补蝉苍鈥檛 a national park.鈥�

A given area can be established as a monument, receiving protection similar to that of a national park, through Congress or the President via the Antiquities Act. (Read more on the difference between a national park and a national monument here.)

Gaby Diaz of The Wilderness Society responded to a phone call with this email: 鈥淭WS has not been tracking this specific bill, but we’re supportive of designating national monuments as a tool to preserve ecologically and historically valued landscapes for people, wildlife, waters, and preservation of culture. At the Tribal Nations Summit in November 2022, [President] Biden announced he would be protecting the proposed Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in southern Nevada, which is a campaign TWS has been deeply involved in. We’re hoping that designation happens any day now!鈥�

The last year listed the Range of Light and Avi Kwa Ame (or Spirit Mountain) in Nevada as among 鈥�5 Natural Landscapes on Our National Monument Wish List.鈥�

While Speier announced in late 2021 that she was retiring and would not run for reelection in 2022 (McNerney retired as well, announcing last January), she introduced the bill before leaving. At press time, it had 11 . The bill is now a matter of record, up for commentary, discussion, and any action.

Timing for further action is unclear. Diaz notes that the bill would require bipartisan support to pass (the cosponsors are Democrats), and delays or inaction could follow. 鈥淭he more common route is calling on the President to use the Antiquities Act, which has been used by 18 presidents since 1906鈥攏ine Dems and nine Republicans,鈥� she says. Such a campaign can be over months, as was the case for Camp Hale, or many years.

Says Wulff, 鈥淚鈥檓 just absolutely delighted that we have a bill.鈥�

Beth Bennett, who came to see the trees, says, 鈥淚 think national monuments and federal protection are always great ideas.鈥�

The post The Range of Light National Monument Would Link Yosemite and Sequoia鈥揔ings Canyon National Parks appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Atmospheric rivers are wreaking havoc in Northern and central California, causing unprecedented flooding and mudslides and prompting the closure of many state and regional parks. These weather events are impacting national parks in the region as well.

鈥淲e anticipate this may be one of the most challenging and impactful series of storms to touch down in California in the last five years,鈥� said Nancy Ward, director of the Governor鈥檚 Office of Emergency Services, during a press conference on Wednesday.

Some communities in Santa Cruz County, and along the Russian River, to the north in Mendocino and Sonoma Counties, are under a mandatory evacuation order, while the entire San Francisco Bay Area is operating under a state of emergency, with residents urged to stay home. California has closed 16 regional, state and national park units, with partial closings affecting 37 others, in anticipation of floods and severe winter weather. Golden Gate National Recreation Area closed several popular visitor sites, including Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, and Alcatraz Island as of Wednesday, January 4. A week ago, at the end of December, parts of Golden Gate National Recreation Area closed for previous atmospheric-river events that caused flooding and downed trees. , some 300 miles north of the Bay Area, temporarily closed starting January 4 for the storm event, which is taking out trees and power lines.

Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow streams in the atmosphere that transport water vapor from the tropics, according to the . Each 鈥渞iver,鈥� which can be up to 2,000 miles long, can carry roughly the same amount of water as the average flow of the mouth of the Mississippi, which is roughly 593,003 cubic feet per second. When these atmospheric rivers make landfall, they release massive amounts of rain or snow, depending on the location and area temperatures. Last June, an atmospheric river storm dumped 2.5 inches of rain in Yellowstone National Park between June 10 and June 13, causing rapid snowmelt and floods, and necessitating the closure of the park for over a week.

This current package of storms has been pummeling Northern California since the new year, and the current storm, which has been building since last night, is expected to result in floods, landslides, and power outages. Thousands of people are already without power and one child has been killed, struck by a falling tree. Flood watches are in effect throughout central and Northern California, with rivers expected to crest Thursday night. Due to the back-to-back storms, 听the ground has become saturated and vulnerable to rapid runoff; as a result, instead of penetrating the soil, rain begins to flow like a river across its surface.

This storm could bring as much as four inches of rain in the next two days and wind speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. The first wave of the storm brought up to 2 inches of rain throughout the San Francisco Bay with more expected to come Thursday evening. Any damage will only compound recovery efforts by the state, faced with structural issues resulting from the late-December storm, which caused a levee breach on the Cosumnes River in Sacramento County. Five people were killed as a result of the New Year鈥檚 storm.

National parks in the mountains of Northern and central California aren鈥檛 escaping the storm鈥檚 force either. The National Weather Service has issued a winter-storm warning for the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada, including Yosemite National Park, until 4 A.M. Friday (although currently only seasonal road closures are in effect in the park area). Higher elevations of the park could see snow accumulations of up to four feet.

South of Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are partially closed due to strong winter-storm conditions. These closures include Azalea Campground and Generals Highway, which provides access to Giant Forest, popular snow-play areas, and sequoia groves. The is under a winter-storm and flood watch.

The current storm is just one of a series of atmospheric-river storms that climate scientists believe will continue throughout January, so California鈥檚 national parks may well suffer from more temporary closures moving further into the winter.

The post Atmospheric Rivers Pound California, Closing Multiple Parks and Recreation Sites appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon are the first national parks I visited as an adult; the place where I took my first backpacking trip, saw my first bear, and summited my first fourteener. They鈥檙e where I spent two weeks trekking the John Muir Trail (or N眉眉m眉 Poyo, Paiute for the Peoples Trail). Most of all, they鈥檙e the parks that made me chuck my comfortable desk-job future and live in a van for a year, in 2020, on a wild quest to visit every national park.

For the last seven years, I鈥檝e split my time between the smog-choked metropolis of Los Angeles and the towering granite peaks of this Sierra Nevada haven, exploring miles of remote trails, wrapping my arms around giant sequoias, and dipping into dozens of alpine lakes. Apart from my love of sleeping in the dirt above 10,000 feet, these are also two of the most popular (and most beautiful) parks in the country.

are technically two separate units but essentially treated as one big park, having been jointly managed by the National Park Service since 1943. They boast many of the same natural features鈥揼roves of enormous sequoias, shimmering alpine lakes, and the saw-toothed granite peaks that John Muir called the 鈥淩ange of Light.鈥� But while Sequoia offers access to more roads, more of the trees it is named for, and the tallest peak in the lower 48, Mount Whitney, Kings Canyon is largely designated as a , with few paved byways and backpacking opportunities galore.

Though Sequoia is celebrated as the nation鈥檚 second-oldest national park (signed into being by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890, 18 years after Yellowstone National Park was established), human history predates the area鈥檚 designation by thousands of years. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are the homelands of the Yokuts, Mono (Monache), T眉batulabal, Paiute, and Western Shoshone, and the actions that initially set aside and preserved both parks for contemporary generations to enjoy often carried the brutal side effect of displacing their original inhabitants. At , visitors can explore what was once a vibrant community of 500 and see interpretive exhibits detailing brilliant red pictographs, bedrock mortars, and obsidian artifacts. These days, 15 continue to steward the lands within Sequoia and Kings Canyon.

Below:

1. 1. What You Need to Know Before Visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

   2. How to Get Here

   3. The Best Time of Year to Visit

   4. Where to Stay in the Parks

   5. The Best 国产吃瓜黑料s in the Parks

   6. The Best Places to Eat and Drink Near the Parks

   7. If You Have Time for a Detour

   8. How to be a Conscious Visitor

What You Need to Know Before Visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Dress for success 鈥� and safety

At 13,135 feet, Sequoia and Kings Canyon have the largest vertical relief of any protected area in the continental United States. The park鈥檚 highest point, Mount Whitney, sits at a lofty elevation of 14,505 feet, while their lowest point, the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, is just 1,370 feet. Travelers to the parks should plan to navigate a , sometimes in the same day, depending on which areas they visit. The foothills, characterized by oak woodlands and chaparral scrub, are often 20 to 30 degrees warmer than the Giant Forest and Mineral King areas. Snow tends to linger above 10,000 feet well into the summer months, so come prepared with microspikes and trekking poles for a late-spring jaunt.

Ditch the devices

Except for the areas immediately surrounding Foothills Visitor Center and Kings Canyon Visitor , these remote parks have virtually no cell service. The NPS encourages visitors to use paper maps for driving and, before arriving, to download the for area maps, services and trail information, and audio tours.

Make plans for your pup

Like most national parks out west, Sequoia and Kings Canyon aren’t very dog friendly. Pets are prohibited on trails and only permitted outside of vehicles on paved roads or in parking lots, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Plus, there are throngs of black bears within the park鈥檚 boundaries, making it a potentially dangerous place for your furry friend. If you鈥檙e visiting the area and itching to get outside with your pupper, nearby is pet friendly.

Fill up before you drive up

There are no gas stations or repair shops within Sequoia and Kings Canyon. The closest spots to fill up beforehand are along Highway 198 in Three Rivers, at Hume Lake Market near Kings Canyon, and, if you鈥檙e coming from the north, at (closed in the winter). Sequoia also operates a in the summer to help conserve gas and the coveted parking spots in the most high-traffic areas.

With great effort comes great reward

Most of Sequoia and Kings Canyon鈥檚 鈥渕ust see鈥� sites are accessible by car and a few , but visitors who are fit and experienced enough to explore the backcountry will uncover a myriad of hidden gems, like remote groves of giant trees, free from summer crowds. Some of my most memorable moments in nature, period, have been on long, leg-busting hikes to places like and , both of which can only be accessed via an overnight trip or a very hearty day hike.

How to Get to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia and Kings Canyon are located in central California, smack dab in the middle of the largest contiguous wilderness in the state. They aren鈥檛 the kind of park you can reach easily for a quick afternoon visit, unless you live in nearby Fresno or Visalia.

The closest two commercial airports are the Fresno Yosemite International Airport and the Visalia Municipal Airport. From those, travelers can rent cars and drive into the parks or utilize the City of Visalia鈥檚 V-Line to link up with the Visalia Transit Center and hop onto a (summer only).听Greyhound and Amtrak both offer service to the area, but with transfers at the Visalia Transit Center.

Unless you鈥檙e looking to Hulk-out and backpack many miles into the parks from the Eastern Sierra off Highway 395, you鈥檒l probably drive in from the west via Highway 198 into Sequoia or take Highway 180 into Kings Canyon. The parks only offer three entrance stations鈥揂sh Mountain, Big Stump, and Lookout Point鈥搘hich access vastly different areas (Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Mineral King, respectively).

On Highway 198 into Sequoia, you can take a scenic cruise along massive Lake Kaweah before grabbing gas and snacks in woodsy Three Rivers and continuing to the Foothills and Giant Forest areas via Ash Mountain, or instead veer right onto a narrow, twisty road and pass through Lookout Point to reach Mineral King. Kings Canyon travelers will take Highway 180 from Fresno, enter at Big Stump, and steer past Grant Grove before winding through jaw-droppingly narrow ravines and along stunning river views all the way to Cedar Grove and the aptly named Roads End.

The Best Time of Year to Visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Winter

There鈥檚 something utterly spellbinding about the sight of the fuzzy red bark of a sequoia tree against a backdrop of fresh white snow. Generals Highway (the main artery through Sequoia National Park) is plowed in winter months, making it relatively easy to access some of the most popular areas (like Giant Forest, Wolverton, and Lodgepole) all year. In Kings Canyon, travelers can visit 鈥淭he Nation鈥檚 Christmas Tree鈥� in Grant Grove. More remote areas of the park, like Cedar Grove and Mineral King, close until April and May, respectively. Snow chains are often required in the park in winter, as mountain storms can strike with little warning. Snowshoers and cross-country skiers (gear can be rented at Wuksachi Lodge and Grant Grove Market) can crunch through designated trails at Grant Grove and Giant Forest or spend a full day trekking to Crescent Meadow or the . Best of all? You鈥檒l likely have the place to yourself.

Spring

Electric yellow fiddlenecks, delicate pink manzanitas, and wavyleaf castilleja (paintbrush) blossom across the parks鈥� foothills in spring, and with a fury of fresh snowmelt from the High Sierra, the reopening (typically at the end of April) of Highway 180 to Roads End means it鈥檚 an epic time to go waterfall chasing in Kings Canyon. An easy, family-friendly stroll will bring you to Roaring River Falls, right off the road, but mega-hikers might want to set aside a full day to reach the powerful Mist Falls and marvel at The Sphinx while they鈥檙e at it. With more consolidated snow than in winter, spring is also the time that experienced mountaineers start climbing the parks鈥� many alpine routes, though most classics are accessed from the Eastern Sierra side. Experienced guiding services, like Peter Croft鈥檚 and , are a great way to properly introduce yourself to the High Sierra.

Summer

Let鈥檚 not beat around the bush颅颅鈥揓une through August, with the snow gone, is high season for every national park and wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada. Mineral King reopens the Wednesday before Memorial Day, and much of Sequoia and Kings Canyon lies above 6,000 feet, making summer prime time for overnight backpacking, high-altitude hiking, and peak bagging. I tend to avoid the Moro Rock and Giant Forest summertime chaos in favor of long, sunny overnight trips like and the.

Fall

If the wildfire smoke cooperates, fall can be the perfect time to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Kids are back in school, so there are fewer people; most park roads are open until November; trails remain snow-free; and stream crossings are a cinch. Cooler conditions up high make for excellent, grippy rock-climbing conditions, and stargazing aficionados won鈥檛 want to miss Sequoia Parks Conservancy鈥檚 annual.听

Where to Stay in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Camping

There are a total of fourteen鈥攜es, within the boundaries of Sequoia and Kings Canyon.

These three campgrounds are open year round.

1. 1. • South Fork
      • Potwisha
      • Azalea

As opposed to the process in many parks, visitors may only make reservations up to 30 days in advance, beginning at 7 A.M. PST. Book sites (from $22) via .

With such a treasure trove of campgrounds, picking the perfect one might feel like a chore, but the parks offer to help you choose a site close to the trails and trees you plan on visiting.

1. 1. • Though it books up quickly, Lodgepole has long been one of my favorites, with its towering pines, cool nighttime temps, and proximity to the Giant Forest.
      • In Kings Canyon, Sentinel sits at the edge of the South Fork of the Kings River under shady stands of fragrant evergreens.
      • For those with commitment issues, South Fork is the only campground in the parks that鈥檚 exclusively first-come, first-served (from $6).

Hotels

(from $190), named after a band of Western Mono (Monache) Native Americans, is the beating heart of Sequoia and Kings Canyon鈥檚 in-park lodging, and open year-round. Though you won鈥檛 find in-room WiFi here (the property is more woodsy-chic parkitecture than luxury), the hotel is set in an ideal location at the center of both parks, and comes complete with a听restaurant and easy access to hiking trails.

Kings Canyon, on the other hand, offers a few different lodging options, from the storybook-style (from $100), to the forest haven of (from $158), to remote near Road鈥檚 End (from $169).

Bearpaw High Sierra Camp

When I first saw the view from Bearpaw High Sierra Camp, I cried. Situated 11.5 miles into the at the precipice of the Great Western Divide, this wilderness outpost is one of those magical, only-in-the-parks places, with soul-stirring panoramas of granite domes, snow-capped peaks, and Valhalla. More glamping than camping, it offers the wonders of backpacking with the glory of hot showers. Though not open for the 2023 season due to a water-infrastructure overhaul, Bearpaw typically takes 366 days in advance, and it鈥檚 well worth the extra effort of planning ahead.

The Best 国产吃瓜黑料s in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Sightseeing

I get it; not everyone鈥檚 idea of a good time is a 42-mile backpacking trip through bear country. Thankfully, many of the most awe-inspiring sights of Sequoia and Kings Canyon can be reached by car or a short stroll. If you鈥檙e entering via Highway 198, you鈥檒l climb through the foothills along Generals Highway to gorgeous views of Kaweah Canyon and an opportunity to stop and check out the pictographs at Hospital Rock. The road continues past Amphitheater Point and its striking vistas of the Moro Rock dome, and swerves surprisingly close to a pair of colossal giant sequoias on the way to Giant Forest. Get out and stretch your legs on the accessible 0.75-mile and the one-mile (round-trip) to marvel at the General Sherman Tree, the largest in the world.

Spring through fall, Generals Highway is open between the parks, and you can continue through groves of towering conifers, pulling off to gawk at a sliver of the snow-dusted High Sierra from Kings Canyon Overlook. At Grant Grove, stop to check out one of the best-preserved groves of giant sequoias on the planet, then continue onto Highway 180 through a craggy canyon so steep it鈥檒l make your head spin. Cool off in the shade and spray at Roaring River Falls and, if you鈥檝e got another hike in you, you will be glad you tackled the easy 1.5-mile loop around Zumwalt Meadow, which showcases Kings Canyon鈥檚 colorful tapestry of wildflowers below imposing granite walls. 国产吃瓜黑料rs coming from the north can do this itinerary in reverse.

Day Hiking

Sequoia and Kings Canyon offer a tally of over 800 miles of trails. Most visitors come for the trees, and yes, first-timers should absolutely make a beeline for them on favorites like the three-mile and the 0.3-mile General Grant Tree Trail. For a more serene, off-the-beaten-path experience with these ancients (some of which live to be over 3,000 years old), try the 1.5-mile journey along or the four-mile out-and-back to.

Still, most of the park is non-sequoia-centric landmass.

1. 1. • For incredible views of the High Sierra, break a sweat on the steep staircase up or…
      • Better yet, climb a less-trampled granite dome on the 4.4-mile trail up .
      • Summit fever? Tromp past wind-ravaged foxtail pines on the to the top of Alta Peak, where, on a clear day, you can see Mount Whitney.

For me, summertime always means feverishly looking at maps of the Sierra Nevada, finding a random splotch of blue, and scouring Google for the best trails to whatever alpine lake I just spotted. Some of my favorite day hikes to chilly mountain tarns are the strenuous 12-mile out-and-back to and the 8.4-mile trek up to.

Fishing

Most rivers, lakes, and streams within Sequoia and Kings Canyon , provided you have a valid . Licenses might not always be available at in-park markets, so it鈥檚 best to bring one with you or purchase at nearby Hume Lake Visitor Center. Some of the top spots to cast a line are at the South Fork of the Kings River and scenic Bubbs Creek, though the remote alpine lakes of Mineral King provide excellent access to (non-native) brook and rainbow trout. Fishing season and daily bag limit are the same as general .

Backpacking

Sequoia and Kings Canyon are a feast for any serious backpacker. A massive chunk of the John Muir Trail cuts through the parks鈥� high-altitude backcountry, and several similarly gorgeous multi-day loops can be made out of the hundreds of miles of hiking trails that crisscross the region. A grueling, sleepless backpacking trip (my first) that peaked with a sherbet-tinted sunrise view of the Great Western Divide was my gateway drug to falling in love with the national parks and dirtbaggery as a lifestyle.

Backpacking in these parks doesn鈥檛 have to mean committing to a 223-mile trek that takes most people three weeks.

1. 1. • For newer overnight hikers (and people who prefer lounging at camp to slogging through miles), a moderate six-mile trip (each way) along the offers delightful amphitheaters of saber-toothed granite and the opportunity to cool off in an icy alpine tarn. (There鈥檚 even a backcountry pit toilet at Pear Lake.)
      • In the more remote (and less crowded) Mineral King, the six-mile (one way) path to Franklin Lakes climbs past fields of crimson columbine and bright purple lupine to the base of Florence Peak.
      • Sequoia and Kings Canyon also offer phenomenal opportunities for multi-day backpacking across some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. Aside from the aforementioned John Muir Trail, the lesser-known 72-mile offers hikers who can鈥檛 finagle three weeks off work a similarly stunning week-long trek.
      • And, if you鈥檙e an alpine-lakes addict, it doesn鈥檛 get much better than the 42-mile .

Anxious about hiking alone or want to sharpen your backcountry skills? offers guided backpacking trips to some of the most spectacular sites in the parks.

Climbing and Mountaineering

Though the granite here is not as accessible as in Yosemite Valley, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are home to similarly , if you鈥檙e willing to hike, and are heaps less crowded than the Valley. The easiest-to-reach vertical granite can be found at popular Moro Rock, but an eight-mile hike in along Bubbs Creek in Kings Canyon to Charlotte Dome will wow climbers with 1,500-foot multipitch routes at 10,000 feet.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon together possess in California. Given these mountains鈥� central location, opportunities鈥攆or climbs ranging from the remote fourteener to more easy-access summits like 鈥攁bound for peak baggers of all skill levels.

Snow Sports

Sure, Sequoia and Kings Canyon receive their fair share of fluffy white stuff once wintertime hits, but opportunities for traipsing around are a bit more rustic than in more developed parks like Yosemite.

The parks boast for little ones to make snow angels, organize elaborate snowball fights, and fling themselves down hillsides in sleds and tubes. In Sequoia, head to the end of Wolverton Road to access, you guessed it, the Wolverton Snowplay Area. In Kings Canyon, Grant Grove offers two spots for tubing and sledding: Columbine and Big Stump.

When the roads are plowed and and are open, winter visitors can rent snowshoes and cross-country skis and purchase snowplay gear with relative ease. Both Giant Forest and Grant Grove offer ski trails through stands of majestic giant sequoias, but the parks request that visitors of the routes before setting out.

One of the best-kept secrets in Sequoia National Park is the , which is, as of autumn 2022, undergoing repairs after the KNP Complex Wildfire and slated to reopen for the 2023/2024 season. For the reasonable sum of $50 per person, per night, skiers and snowshoers can saunter across six miles of High Sierra terrain to arrive at a rustic, vintage shelter with ten bunks, a wood pellet-heating stove, and a composting toilet (reservations required, per link above).

Stargazing

The first time I ever saw the Milky Way was on my first backpacking trip, in Sequoia. The night skies in these parks are nothing short of enchanting, a humbling reminder that we are a speck on a speck. The Sequoia Parks Conservancy hosts a family-friendly 鈥溾�� program throughout the year, but if you鈥檙e serious about stargazing, check out the annual Dark Sky Festival, held each autumn. Pro tip: visit in mid-August for a chance to catch the Perseid meteor shower.

The Best Places to Eat and Drink Near Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Though as of fall 2022, the parks鈥� indoor dining is still paused due to COVID, hungry hikers have a bevy of options, from the casual sandwiches-and-salads vibe of Cedar Grove Grill to the floor-to-ceiling views at the more elevated Peaks Restaurant.

1. 1. • I鈥檓 a big fan of the Wuksachi Pizza Deck, and Lodgepole Caf茅 is excellent for grab-and-go picnic provisions or satisfying your burger fix (there鈥檚 even a vegan option).
      • When indoor dining reopens, I鈥檓 going to be all over the recently redesigned Grant Grove Restaurant, which just refreshed its menu with a focus on locally sourced organic ingredients.
      • 国产吃瓜黑料 the parks, I love watching the sun dip low beyond the Kaweah River from the porch at River View Grill and Bar in Three Rivers, which serves up local craft beers from Brewbakers.
      • For healthy lunch fare for meat-lovers, vegans, and the gluten-averse alike, there鈥檚 Sierra Subs and Salads.
      • And, after a long, sweaty day of hiking in Sequoia, I always make a quick pit stop at Reimer鈥檚 Candy and Gifts for an indulgent milkshake or scoop of homemade ice cream.

If You Have Time for a Detour

Though Sequoia and Kings Canyon are surrounded by miles of developed farmland to the west, there are various local options for travelers seeking to roam outside the parks. If you鈥檙e exploring with your pup in tow, the neighboring dog-friendly is a wonderland of wooded hikes (including a few to massive sequoia trees). Likewise, , a subdivision of the national forest, is a stellar dog-friendly hub for hiking to pristine alpine lakes (and fee-free backpacking trips).

Every spring, the mighty Kaweah River practically roars through the tiny town of Three Rivers with a torrent of fresh snowmelt. Southern and Central California aren鈥檛 usually hailed by whitewater enthusiasts, but outfitters like and offer some of the closest class III and IV rapids to cities like Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

While is still closed as of autumn 2022, due to impacts from the KNP Complex Wildfire, , located right outside Kings Canyon, serves up all the drippy, melted jellyfish-style rock formations you鈥檇 want from a cave tour, starting at $16.

How to Be a Conscious Visitor

Wildlife

Spoiler alert: there are black bears in Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Lots of them. One of them nearly ruined my dinner on a girls鈥� trip to Kings Canyon two years ago. is required in both parks for all food and smellables, as human-habituated bears that gain access to our trash and snacks often become aggressive and have to be put down. Bear spray is illegal in these parks, so put your food away before embarking on a day hike and if you encounter a black bear.

More than any parks I鈥檝e visited, Sequoia and Kings have a robust array of bear boxes at trailheads, campgrounds, and even along popular backcountry trails. If you鈥檙e not trekking to one of the many sites with bear-boxes, bear canisters are highly recommended and, in most cases, required when overnight backpacking. They鈥檙e at most park visitor centers.

After rebounding from near-extinction, peregrine falcons can once again be seen in the parks, which is excellent news. The bad news is that this means from April through August is banned due to nesting activity, and bird-protection closures to climbers are becoming more common in recent years.

Fire safety

Last, if you鈥檝e been paying attention to the headlines, you鈥檝e likely seen that nearly 20 percent of the world鈥檚 giant sequoias have burned in the last few years. in both Sequoia and Kings Canyon are being implemented earlier and earlier, and they are serious business. Check current conditions before heading out and, if you鈥檙e not camping in a site with a manmade firepit, consider that climate change is wreaking havoc on our national parks, and you may want to do without.

Emily Pennington is a freelance adventure journalist based in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, and Cond茅 Nast Traveler, to name a few. To date, she has visited 62 U.S. national parks (with only American Samoa National Park to go), but she has spent more time, by far, in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, as a continual visitor over seven years. Her upcoming book, Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America鈥檚 National Parks, about the parks journey, is due out in February (Little A/Amazon Publishing).

The post The Ultimate Guide to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

63 Parks Traveler started with a simple goal: to visit every U.S. national park. Avid backpacker and public-lands nerd saved up, built out a tiny van to travel and live in, and hit the road, practicing COVID-19 best safety protocols along the way. The parks as we know them are rapidly changing, and she wanted to see them before it鈥檚 too late. Sequoia is her 58th park visit.

is my first love. It was the genesis for my yearlong journey across America鈥檚 public lands. My kindling park. Returning to it after nearly 11 months on the road felt like a homecoming of sorts, and though I was strung out and anxious from too many hours of driving solo through central California, passing almond orchards and highway haze, I knew that this park would give me a warm welcome, despite the fact that I was visiting in December.

Although I鈥檇 been to the popular park dozens of times before, at the end of 2020 there was a peace to it that I wanted desperately to inhabit. This was the first time I鈥檇 greeted its famous skyscraper-size trees during the winter. A thin film of ice clung to the as I laced up my boots and carefully set off. My low-season sojourn was an excuse to do the one thing I loved most: forest bathing sans crowds. I needed to blow off some steam.

I hung a right from the and instantly found myself among the enormous conifers, craning my neck in awe of their waist-thick branches hundreds of feet above. I took deep breaths and tried to center myself. These trees, which could live to be over 3,000 years old, seemed to have a quiet wisdom to them. They鈥檝e听survived countless forest fires (since my visit, the 2021 KNP Complex has resulted in of the park) and western expansion. They are considered the tribal homelands of the Mono, Paiute, Yokuts, T眉batulabal, and Western Shoshone.

Arms outstretched, I grazed a patch of fuzzy, red-orange sequoia bark with my fingertips, the tree seeming almost animate in its size and complexion. I was envious of its stalwart demeanor, its ability to weather difficult storms with grace. If I could only absorb some of that perspective through osmosis, I thought to myself, maybe I could finally be at ease with my own anxieties. Eventually, I abandoned the forest for a short trek up .

The was awash in a glow of coral and oxblood as I walked, and I watched a blue-black raven hop from stone to stone near the summit of the enormous granite dome. Away from the shady canopy of the woods, the whole of the Sierra Nevada opened up, and I could make out a handful of glistening 13,000-foot peaks across the wild landscape.

I felt the expansiveness of the space filling me, just as it had on my first visit 15 years prior. Like shining a flashlight onto the penumbra of my thoughts, I realized that revisiting a longtime favorite park can be like stepping back into the past to give your inner child a much needed hug. To soothe whatever maladies have befallen you. Every national park is an opportunity to come home to yourself.

63 Parks Traveler Sequoia Info

Size: 404,063 acres

Location: Central California, near Visalia

Created In: 1890 (national park)

Best For: Hiking, backpacking, forest bathing, fishing, mountaineering

When to Go: The park is divided into several distinct areas, each with different average temperatures due to differences in elevation. The Giant Forest and Lodgepole sections are the most popular, and summer (44 to 76 degrees) is the best time to drive up and see the tall trees and alpine meadows in person. Fall (31 to 71 degrees) brings fewer visitors, while spring (26 to 58 degrees) might have lingering snow. The main road, Generals Highway, into the park is plowed but closes intermittently during winter (24 to 44 degrees) due to blizzards.

Where to Stay: For breezy summer temperatures and the crisp mountain air so many of us crave, there鈥檚 no better park campground than , set on the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River; it features picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and flush toilets. There鈥檚 also a camp store with showers and laundry within walking distance. Craving more creature comforts? The is Sequoia鈥檚 signature hotel, complete with a picturesque restaurant, private baths, and central heating.

Mini 国产吃瓜黑料: Visit the world鈥檚 largest tree by volume. is 275 feet tall and more than 36 feet wide at its base. It鈥檚 situated at the end of a half-mile trail in the Giant Forest section of the park. After snapping a few pictures, consider extending your day hike along the three-mile to marvel at even more of these colossal conifers.

Mega 国产吃瓜黑料: Backpack the . One of the most spellbinding qualities of Sequoia National Park is its immense network of backcountry trails, and fit hikers looking to escape the masses and explore the Great Western Divide won鈥檛 regret spending a few extra days taking the scenic route. traverses a series of breathtaking alpine lakes, framed by the imposing granite cirques that make the High Sierra so memorable.

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You can no longer get your photo taken next to the world鈥檚 tallest living tree鈥攁nd that鈥檚 probably a good thing.

Officials at California鈥檚 Redwood National Park recently closed the area surrounding Hyperion, a massive 380-foot coast redwood that is believed to be the planet鈥檚 tallest living tree. Hyperion is located deep within the park and is not accessible by a trail. Still, visitors have bushwhacked pathways through the brush to visit the trail, and the uptick in tourists has caused damage to the surrounding area and to the tree itself.

Hyperion, the world's tallest living tree.Hyperion is the name of a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in California that was measured at 115.92 m (380.3 ft), which ranks it as the world's tallest known living tree.

— Sushant For Soil #savesoil (@_Susshantt_)

鈥淚 hope people understand that we鈥檙e doing this because our eye is focused on protection of resources and safety of the visitors,鈥� Leonel Arguello, the park鈥檚 resource manager, .

Large amounts of garbage and human waste have also been discovered in the area around the tree, Arguello said. And some visitors have attempted to scale the tree.

reports that violators face a maximum $5,000 fine and potential jail time if they are caught making the trip. The closed area extends one mile from the tree鈥檚 base.

鈥淭he usage was having an impact on the vegetation and potentially the root system of the very tree that people are going there to visit,鈥� Arguello told the site. 鈥淭here was trash, and people were creating even more side trails to use the bathroom.鈥�

Hyperion was discovered in 2006 by two naturalists. The tree stands deep within the park, several miles outside the town of Orick in Humboldt County, California. Despite the tree鈥檚 impressive size, it is not much to look at from below, because you can only see about the first 150 feet from the ground, Arguello said.

Justin Legge, a naturalist and tour guide who operates in the area, told SFGate.com that park鈥檚 other massive trees, such as Del Norte Titan and Grove of Titans, are better destinations for tree lovers.

鈥淗yperion is an extremely disappointing experience, and I doubt half of the people that have even tried to go there would want to go there if they truly understood the ecology of the forest,鈥� Legge said.

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When sauntered through the condensed grove of what is now known as Sequoia National Park, he would have never envisioned the devastation that has occurred since 2011. In this story from , shares the work of , an ecology research study sponsored by . The study is seeking out how water shortage has caused the death of 102 million trees in this short span of time.

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