Find out what the National Parks from one end of the United States to the other are offering for visitors!
THE EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK in extreme southern Florida, was dedicated in late 1947 by President Truman. It was the first National Park to be set aside for the preservation of its wetland plant and animal life. It is not a park chosen for its mountains or scenery in general. The park is open all throughout the year. Visitors can expect to see many unique flowers, trees, and animal life, including over a dozen endangered species of animals. The entrance fee for a private vehicle is $10.00 and acts as a pass for a full week. If a visitor is entering the park by foot or bicycle, the fee is $5.00 for the seven day pass. Keep the location of this park in mind so that you can dress accordingly. It is most often a hot and humid atmosphere and there are many mosquitoes, so be sure to take proper protective measures.
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK is one of the more well known parks. Located in California, near Modesto, Yosemite offers scenic beauty from Giant Sequoias to waterfalls to beautiful and unique plant life. Entering the park on foot or by bicycle will cost $10.00 for a seven day pass, and the fee for a private vehicle will be $20.00 for the same pass. As with many of the National Parks, rangers are available for guided walks and answering questions. There are many water activities available here, including rafting and kayaking. Shuttle buses help with transportation to and from various areas of the park. Because of the possible quickly changing weather in this area, be sure to take along proper clothing for the heat as well as cooler weather with elevation changes, and also proper clothing for the chance of rain.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK is located in northern Colorado, between Boulder and Fort Collins. The peak season for visitors is during the months of July and August. The park is open year round, but the only road that goes from one end of the park to the other is closed from October until May. Roads are often closed due to a large amount of snow as well, during the colder months. Bike or foot entry to the park is $5.00 and the private vehicle fee is $15.00. This park offers many activities including fishing, mountain climbing, skiing, hiking, and horseback riding. Weather is very hard to predict in this area due to elevation changes and other factors. In the higher elevations, snow in the late spring or even summer is not a rarity. Summer days are often pleasantly warm while the night temperatures dip drastically. Be sure not to miss Trail Ridge Road. It crosses the Continental Divide, and offers an unforgettable view. Due to having to acclimatize to the elevations, those with medical problems should be sure this is a safe destination for their travel plans.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK is found in the eastern part of Tennessee and the western part of North Carolina. There are no entry fees into this National Park. Fishing, horseback riding, and hiking are among the activities offered. Summer heat and rain, and winter snows can be expected, snow amounts depending on the elevation. Campers should be aware of the high number of black bears found in the park, and take necessary precautions, such as complete food cleanup, among other things. Other wildlife found in the park include elk and red wolves.
GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARK is located in Alaska and offers a thrilling park experience. There is no entrance fee into the park. Visitors need to plan carefully because supplies are not available for purchase within the park. The unique location of this park is its major draw. Because of the location and climate, it is different in many ways from most other United States National Parks. The winters here are long and usually hard, and summer weather is generally cool and of a short duration. Also unique is the continuous sunlight for part of the summer. Activities include hiking, mountain climbing, bird watching, and fishing. One especially interesting aspect of this park is that at Anaktuvuk Pass, the last of the Nunamiut Eskimos still reside. Visitors should be respectful of these residents and their belongings.
PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK is found near Navajo, Arizona. Entrance fees are $5.00 for foot entry and $10.00 for a private vehicle entrance, each good for seven days. Supplies can be found at the north and south ends of the park. Very hot summers are the norm here and winters are generally mild. As its name suggests, possibly the largest draw to this park is the petrified wood found here. Although petrified wood is found in many places, this area was set aside to protect some of the larger amounts of the wood. Visitors must not disturb, and certainly not remove, artifacts from this park. Unfortunately, even with the warnings and heavy penalties, much of it is stolen by visitors, risking the future of this National Park. The badlands of the Painted Desert with its displays of fossils is found within the park as well. Museums and a film are part of the activities for the visitor. Petrified Forest National Park is closed overnight.
There are many more National Parks in the United States. Some of them are more known such as these, but there are also many parks that are not as well known, although every bit as beautiful. Planning before a trip to a park is essential. Some of the parks offer food and gasoline within the park, but others do not. There are weather considerations in what clothing to pack for the trip, and concerns about the wildlife of the area. Always be sure to know how to contact a park ranger before entering a park. Research the park rules if your trip is going to include camping within a park.
