A World Traveler's National Park Picks

Rocky Mountain National Park:  Recently I returned from my ski vacation at Winter Park, Co.  The Visitor Center of Rocky Mountain National Park is about 35 to 40 miles from Winter Park, near the town of Grand Lake.  Grand Lake is a snowmobilers paradise and worth the drive just to see the frozen,  magnificent lake in winter.   Although I had  visited the Park most recently in July of 2003, and accessed it from Estes Park on the spiritual Trail Ridge Road, this winter trip introduced me again to the many winter activities.  We rented snowshoes in Grand Lake and joined a ranger-led 2 hour tour on untracked snow.  In winter, you talk to locals and hear their stories. Tim, the owner of the "Never Summer Outdoor Store" in Grand Lake is a member of  the last family to hold a lease and live in the National Park (lease expired in 1990).

Established on January 26, 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. With elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Long's Peak, a visitor to the park has opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures.

Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, cougars, eagles, hawks and scores of smaller animals delight wildlife-watchers of all ages. Wildflower-lovers are never disappointed in June and July when the meadows and hillsides are splashed with botanical color. Autumn visitors can relax among the golden aspens or enjoy the rowdier antics of the elk rut (mating season).

359 miles of trail offer endless opportunities to hikers, backpackers and horseback riders. Fly fishers, bird-watchers and photographers discover the splendor that they traveled so far to find. During the winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers revel in the white-blanketed tranquility of meadows and forests.

60 peaks rising above 12,000 feet challenge intrepid hikers and climbers. Anyone visiting between Memorial Day and late autumn can see many of these peaks eye-to-eye by driving over Trail Ridge Road. Topping out at 12,183 feet, this is the highest, continuous, paved road in the United States.

Front-country and backcountry campers have hundreds of campsites to choose from. Civilization and its amenities are available in the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake which flank the park on the east and west sides respectively. Ranger-led activities are an entertaining way to learn more about your surroundings. Plan some time to acclimate to the high altitude and come find your adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Dinosaur National Monument:  We visited this Park in June 2003.  This is a great park for a family visit.  This fascinating area offers your children a true "reality shows". Being so close to the remains of these wonderful creatures gave me a different perspective on America's past.

It was hot in the unserviced campground.  Be sure to park in the shady section of the campground.  When things heat up too much, go white water rafting in the Green and Yampa Rivers.  Another unforgettable experience for the entire family.

For those who can, visit in Spring.  Although even in Summer, this park does not fill up.

This Park is located 20 miles east of Vernal, near Jensen, Utah.  Here, preserved in the sandbar of an ancient river is a time capsule from the world of dinosaurs. The Dinosaur Quarry has revealed many secrets of the past.  The  land around it offers silence and dramatic beauty.

At the Dinosaur Quarry, the fossilized remains of over 2,000 bones can be viewed, relieved in the 200 foot-long wall as a permanent exhibit. Exhibits and displays help explain the life and times of the creatures entombed in the Quarry. The Monument is open daily.

Shenandoah National Park:  is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which form the eastern rampart of the Appalachian Mountains between Pennsylvania and Georgia. The Shenandoah River flows through the valley to the west, with Massanutten Mountain, 40 miles long, standing between the river's north and south forks.  Skyline Drive is a 105-mile road that winds along the crest of the mountains through the length of the park.  The drive, provides  spectacular views. The park holds more than 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Trails may follow a ridge crest, or they may lead to high places with panoramic views or to waterfalls in deep canyons. In the Park are deer, black bears, and wild turkeys

The Appalachian Mountains are among the oldest in the world. Within Shenandoah National Park are some of the oldest known rocks, which were formed between 1 and 1.2 billion years ago. These granitic rocks can best be seen at Old Rag Mountain and Mary's Rock Tunnel.

For a complete listing of  National Parks

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