National Park Travel Blog

Welcome to the National Park Travel Blog! Our blog offers a wealth of information on a variety of topics for popular national parks throughout North America. On the National Park Travel Blog, you will find a wide variety of articles about lodging, things to do, wildlife, and adventures in America’s national parks.

National Park Travel is proud to offer one of the most comprehensive, user-friendly, and trusted national park websites on the Internet.  The National Park Travel website (www.nationalparktravel.com) has been a trusted resource for millions of people from more than 70 different countries since 2007.  We take that honor and responsibility seriously, and National Park Travel will continue to provide the most current, accurate, useful, and inspiring content available about America’s national parks.  We encourage you to bookmark the National Park Travel website and blog, and keep checking back for new and interesting content.

 Again, welcome to the National Park Travel Blog!

The autumn season is upon us, and the snow has started to fall in the mountains around Yellowstone National Park.  Just this week, the area received a major snowstorm that dropped 4 feet of snow in some of the area mountains.  Although Yellowstone National Park does not officially open for the winter season until the last half of December, the time to begin planning your winter vacation is now.

It’s important to make your reservations as early as possible, because the lodging accommodations in and around Yellowstone Park often sell out months in advance.  Whether you’re interested in a snowcoach tour to Old Faithful, you wish to snowmobile with a guide to Old Faithful, or you want to do some exciting snowmobiling in the backcountry just outside the park, you need to start making your reservations now.

Some visitors prefer the warm comfort of a heated snowcoach while others want to brave the elements as they drive themselves on a snowmobile.  While most visitors choose to take a winter tour to Old Faithful, many also want to experience the excitement of snowmobiling off-trail in the backcountry where the powder snow is deep and the slopes are steep, hence the phrase “steep and deep”.  For the adventurous visitor, backcountry snowmobiling is the way to go.  Snowmobiling off-road is not permitted inside the park; however, there are literally millions of backcountry acres immediately outside the park in which you can snowmobile endlessly. 

Although outside of the park, the land adjacent to Yellowstone consists of millions of acres of public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service.  In these lands, you can just take off and go wherever you choose.  You don’t have to get permission, and you don’t need a guide.  There are countless trails for you to explore by snowmobile.  Imagine the thrill of plowing through fresh deep powder snow with snow pushing over your snowmobile windshield.  You’ll feel like you are floating on air!  For the adventurous visitor, try highmarking a hillside where you feel the power of the snowmobile carry you high above the valley floor.

A winter vacation at Yellowstone National Park offers something for everyone.  It’s a beautiful and exciting place to visit in the winter season.  Remember that if you wish to snowmobile on the roads inside Yellowstone Park, you’ll need an authorized guide to lead the way per park regulations.  If you decide to venture into the backcountry adjacent to the park, a guide is still a good idea; however, one is not required.  An avalanche transceiver is a must, and you can rent them at any snowmobile shop in gateway communities.

So, start planning your winter Yellowstone vacation now.  Get all the information you’ll need at the Yellowstone National Park website (www.nationalparktravel.com/yellowstone.htm).  Make your reservations today, and get ready to experience Yellowstone!   

Yosemite National Park is one of America’s most popular national parks, and it offers a wide variety of lodging options for the park visitor.  The most luxurious lodging accommodation inside Yosemite National Park is clearly the Ahwahnee Hotel, and it comes with a luxury price too at a nightly rate in excess of $400 per room.

For more budget-minded travellers, the Lodge at Yosemite Falls (also known as Yosemite Lodge) and Curry Village offer in-park lodging at more economical rates.  It’s important for Yosemite visitors to understand that the park lodging sometimes sells out months in advance; and thefore, it is important to make lodging reservations as early as possible.  In addition to the lodging mentioned thus far, there are numerous vacation home rentals available inside Yosemite National Park.

The Yosemite View Lodge and Cedar Lodge are also favorites among Yosemite National Park visitors, because they are located just outside the park entrance on Highway 140.  The Tenaya Lodge is another luxurious facility, and it’s located just outside the south park entrance on Highway 41.  The Tenaya Lodge offers luxury rooms for a nightly rate in excess of $300 per room, but it also offers many favorable amenities for Yosemite visitors that prefer the finest accommodations.  Yosemite National Park indeed offers a wide variety of lodging ranging from the luxury of the Ahwahnee Hotel and Tenaya Lodge to the family accommodations of Yosemite Lodge, Curry Village, Yosemite View Lodge, and Cedar Lodge to basic tent camping.  There’s something for everyone at Yosemite National Park.

Just remember to make your Yosemite National Park lodging reservations as early as possible, because lodging at the park often sells out months in advance.  Early planning leads to a smooth and more enjoyable vacation experience.  You can get detailed information about Yosemite National Park lodging at www.nationalparktravel.com/yosemite_lodging.htm.

For general information about Yosemite Park including major attractions and weather, visit www.nationalparktravel.com/yosemite.htm.

Glacier National Park is more thought of as a summer destination than a winter one.  Subsequently, many people may not be currently thinking about Glacier National Park when it comes to vacation-planning.  Nonetheless, it is important to consider the fact that Glacier National Park is heavily visited during the summer season.  It’s also important to understand that Glacier National Park accepts lodging reservations up to one year in advance; and therefore, it’s a good idea to make your Glacier National Park lodging reservations as early as possible.

If you’re planning to visit Glacier National Park next summer, then now is the time to start making your reservations.  Popular lodging in Glacier Park includes the Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier Hotel, and Village Inn.  There are many other lodging options inside and outside of the park as well.  Lake McDonald Lodge and Village Inn are both located on the shores of Lake McDonald on the west side of the park while the Many Glacier Hotel is located on the east side of the park. 

For more detailed information about lodging in Glacier National Park, visit www.nationalparktravel.com/glacier_lodging.htm.  Get started today, and begin making your Glacier National Park reservations for next summer!

With approximately 3.4 million acres, Death Valley is the largest national park south of Alaska.  Established on October 31, 1994, Death Valley is known for extremes.  It is North America’s driest and hottest spot with fewer than 2 inches of rainfall annually and a record high temperature of 134F.  In addition, Death Valley has the lowest elevation in the Western Hemispher - 282 below sea level. 

Despite its extremes, Death Valley National Park still receives 1.3 million visitors each year.  The national park is open year-round; however, November through February is largely considered the peak season with temperatures ranging from 25F to 75F.  Summer temperatures range from 100F to 116F on average with night-time low temperatures sometimes remaining above 100F.  For obvious reasons, a majority of people choose to visit Death Valley during the winter season.

Popular attractions in Death Valley National Park include the Death Valley Museum, Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Harmony Borax Works (near Furnace Creek Campground), Scotty’s Castle, Wildrose Canyon, and Telescope Peak.  Popular activities in Death Valley include free ranger and naturalist-led tours (mid-October to mid-April), hiking, nature trails, bicycling, bird-watching, and horseback riding.

Death Valley National Park lodging includes the Furance Creek Inn, Furnace Creek Ranch, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs Resort.  Furnace Creek Inn offers the most luxurious accommodations in the park, but it’s also the most expensive.  Furnace Creek Ranch, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs provide comfortable lodging at more economical nightly rates.  For more detailed information about Death Valley lodging, visit http://www.nationalparktravel.com/deathvalley_lodging.htm. 

Death Valley National Park offers an outstanding vacation opportunity filled with spectacular wonders.  The best time to visit Death Valley is November to mid-April, and now is the perfect time to begin planning your next Death Valley vacation.  You can learn more about Death Valley National Park including lodging reservations, entrance fees, park history, weather, and climate at www.nationalparktravel.com/deathvalley.htm.

If you are considering a national park vacation in the future, Grand Canyon is likely to be among your top choices.  Established on February 26, 1919, Grand Canyon consists of 1,217,403 acres including an immense gorge one mile deep and up to 18 miles wide.  Grand Canyon National Park is truly a natural wonder that is a must-see for any outdoor or national park enthusiast.

Approximately 5 million people visit Grand Canyon each year, and 90 percent of them see the canyon from the South Rim with its dramatic views.  As you see the Grand Canyon, you are likely to be curious about the geology of the canyon.  Grand Canyon includes some of the oldest exposed rock in the world, dating back to 1.8 billion years.  The South Rim is open year-round while the North Rim is only open from mid-May to mid-October.  If you plan to vacation at Grand Canyon National Park, then you will most likely make your reservations at the South Rim.

Lodging in Grand Canyon National Park includes the El Tovar Hotel, Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and the Yavapai Lodge.  In addition, several hotels are available just outside the park entrance.  Popular recreational activities at Grand Canyon include whitewater rafting, smooth water float trips, jeep safari tours, helicopter tours, and mule rides.  Just remember to make your reservations early, because lodging and activities often fill up quickly with reservations accepted up to a year in advance. 

For more information about Grand Canyon National Park including lodging options, visit www.nationalparktravel.com/grandcanyon.htm.

Established on May 22, 1902, Crate Lake National Park consists of 183,224 acres.  Few visitors forget their first glimpse of Crater Lake on a clear summer day - 21 square miles of water so intensely blue that it looks like ink, ringed by cliffs towering up to 2,000 feet above its surface.  Crater Lake truly is a magnificent wonder to see. 

Crater Lake is set in a dormant volcano called Mount Mazama, one in a chain of volcanoes that includes Mount St. Helens.  Mount Mazama’s biggest eruption occurred about 5700 B.C.  The explosion catapulted volcanic ash miles into the sky and expelled so much pumice and ash that soon Mount Mazama’s summit collapsed, creating a huge, smoldering caldera.  Over the centuries, rain and snowmelt accumulated in this caldera, forming a lake more than 1,900 feet deep, the deepest lake in the United States.

Crater Lake offers an excellent setting for day hikes.  Due to some of the cleanest air in the nation, you can see more than 100 miles from points along many of the park’s 140 miles of trails.  Forests of mountain hemlock and Shasta red fir predominate near the caldera rim.  At the rim, twisted whitebark pine testify to the harshness of the long winter, during which on average, the area receives 44 feet of snowfall.

An assortment of lodging and activities are available at Crate Lake National Park; however, reservations are strongly recommended.  For all of your national park information and reservation needs, visit http://www.nationalparktravel.com.

Just inside the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, visitors will find the village of Mammoth Hot Springs. The green lawns of Fort Yellowstone, originally planted by the U.S. Calvary in the late 1800s, have attracted elk for years. The elk can be found in Mammoth Hot Springs year-round, but the fall mating season is an especially popular time to see them. The high-pitched sound of a bugling bull elk during the mating season is a sound that you will never forget.

Elk are generally not aggressive; however, they can be unpredictable and should not be approached. Yellowstone National Park regulations mandate that you stay a minimum of 25 yards away from wildlife. Keeping a safe distance between yourself and the elk is even more important in the fall, during the mating season. Male elk, called bulls, become agitated during this time. They bugle (make a distinct high-pitched sound) to attract females and ward off competing males.  Bull elk have charged both visitors and vehicles that got too close.

During your next Yellowstone National Park vacation, be sure to visit Mammoth Hot Springs. In addition to the popular terraces and geothermal features, you’ll most likely get to see some of Yellowstone’s famous elk. For more information about Yellowstone National Park including lodging reservations, wildlife, entrance fees, news, and weather, visit www.nationalparktravel.com/yellowstone.htm. Remember to make your reservations as early as possible to enjoy the best availability of lodging options.

If you’re planning to visit Yosemite National Park during the Christmas holidays, then you should consider making reservations for the famous Bracebridge Dinner. This spectacular Christmas pageant takes place in the Grand Dining Room of the Ahwahnee Hotel, which is transformed into the majestic hall of the “Squire Bracebridge”. Set in a manor hall with 50-foot beamed ceilings and huge windows with views of snow-covered mountains, this spectacular Christmas festival includes a fine dinner with entertainment by jugglers, singers, and court characters as they tell the story of Lord Merrick Bracebridge and his household.

Step back in time to old England, enjoy fine dining, experience grand entertainment, and make a Christmas memory that will last a lifetime. Attend the Yosemite National Park Bracebridge Dinner at the luxurious Ahwahnee Hotel. This year, the Bracebridge Dinner takes place on December 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, and 26, 2008. This magnificent event is extremely popular, and advance reservations are required.  Enjoy Yosemite National Park during the beautiful Christmas season, and experience the famous Bracebridge Dinner.  For more information about Yosemite National Park, visit www.nationalparktravel.com/yosemite.htm

Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching with Christmas coming up only a short month later. Most people may be thinking more about turkey, dressing, and the upcoming jollyful season of Christmas than future vacation plans.  However, now is the time to begin planning your next summer national park vacation in order to enjoy the best lodging availability.

This holiday season, you may want to bring up the subject of summer vacation with your friends and family.  The holidays are an excellent time to make plans and coordinate the next family vacation or reunion.  National Parks offer an excellent option for family reunions and vacations; however, early planning is necessary in order to secure accommodations.  This is even more the case when you are considering a family reunion in which accommodations must be secured for a larger group of people.

Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Glacier National Parks are just a few of the major parks in which lodging can often sell out months in advance.  After all, reservations are accepted for lodging in the parks up to one year in advance.  So, start planning your next summer national park experience when you are able to visit with friends and family over the holiday season.  The earlier that you plan, the better lodging options you will have to choose from.  Remember that you can always change your plans later and cancel a reservation without penalty as long as you comply with the lodging property cancellation policy.  It’s not a pleasant experience when you wait too late to plan your vacation and find many lodges to be sold out.

Spend some time this holiday season planning your next family national park experience.  For more information about national parks including lodging, activities, reservations, and much more, visit http://www.nationalparktravel.com.