Welcome to Thursday! I’m gearing up for a big weekend in the hills of Arkansas. The weather is looking good, and, although I’ve tried to be cautiously optimistic all week, it looks like we may actually be going this time. I believe it for sure when we’re in the car tomorrow evening!
We’re already packed so that’s definitely a good sign 🙂
Today I wanted to bring you Part II of my post on national parks. There are so many wonderful ones all over the country that I could probably do an entire series that spotlights these different parks (did I just have an idea?), but for now I wanted to share a few that are on the top of my “Must Visit Soon” list.
Crater Lake National Park
This one is my number one must see. I had the opportunity to visit Oregon for the first time two years ago, and I was completely blown away by the beauty I saw all around me. I fell in love with the entire state, and it was only after coming home that I realized I hadn’t even gotten to see one of the biggest draws it has to offer.
Crater Lake National Park is located in southwest Oregon in the Cascade Mountains. The lake itself was formed by an ancient volcano that erupted called Mount Mazama. It’s the deepest lake in the U.S., and the beauty of the place speaks for itself. The park has about 90 miles of hiking trails which makes the possibilities for day hikes endless. For backpackers, the Pacific Crest Trail actually passes through the park so you have a great opportunity to hike a section of it. For non-hikers, there’s the Rim Drive that circles the lake and is open to walkers, cyclists, and cars.
Yosemite National Park
I think when people think about national parks the first that come to mind are Yellowstone and Yosemite. Well, there’s a good reason for that! Yosemite is famous for it’s sheer granite rock faces and stunning waterfalls. Half Dome is one of the most recognized natural landmarks in the country. It has particular significance for me because it was beloved by John Muir and you all know what I think of him :). Yosemite is a paradise for rocker climbers, but there’s also a lot of great hiking to be done. Yosemite has over 750 miles of trails, and famous trails such as the John Muir and the Pacific Crest Trail passes through it. You can even climb to the top of Half Dome although, I have to admit, I don’t think that’s something I’ll be doing!
Acadia National Park
As you can probably tell, John and I have a major love affair going on with the American West. Well, here’s a national park that’s a bit different from our normal! I am fascinated by New England. I’ve always wanted to visit that part of the country, and, lately, I found myself being very interested in Maine in particular. Acadia National Park is located on the coast of Maine. Every time I see pictures of Acadia the words that come to mind are “low-key”. There is an entire system of old carriage roads where you can enjoy a leisurely day of biking. Bird watching is popular in the park, and there are opportunities for boating excursions. And, of course, there’s hiking! The park has 125 miles of hiking trails to explore. My dream is to be able to visit in the fall because I definitely have a romanticized image of what fall foliage in New England must be like!
There are so many more parks to enjoy in this country. I plan on seeing as many of them as I can! If you’re interested in more information on any of the national parks, please check out the National Park Service website. The NPS is a great resource, and I used a lot of their information while researching this post. I hope you guys have enjoyed this glimpse into America’s playground!
Have you been to any of these three? Has anyone seen the Ken Burn’s documentary about national parks?