#4 Glacier

#4 Glacier Location: West Glacier, MTNPS Website: http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm


Major Attractions:
Going-to-the-Sun Road
St. Mary Overlook
Jackson Glacier Overlook
Lake McDonald

Number of Attractions: 18+
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Apgar/Lake McDonald: Fishing Creek, Sprague Creek, Camas Creek Entrance Overlook, Huckleberry Mtn., McDonald Falls, Johns Lake, Avalanche Creek

St. Mary: St. Mary Lake Overlook, Baring Falls, Virginia Falls, Jackson Glacier Overlook

Two Medicine: Hwy 49, Running Eagle Falls, Two Medicine Lake, Triple Divide Peak

Many Glacier: Swiftcurrent Trail, Grinnell Lake


Accessibility:
Approximately 50% of the attractions listed above are accessible by road, short trails, or tram. 90% of all attractions, including the glaciers, are only accessible by backpacking during the late summer months when the snow melt is lowest (August & September). The vast majority of the park is wilderness and most trails are maintained sparingly as limited resources provides.

Maintenance of Roads/Trails:
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed between Avalanche Creek and Logan Pass due to an enormous avalanche, thus it takes approximately 3 hours traverse the two most popular areas of Glacier Park: McDonald and St. Mary. Snowfall, snowmelt, and impending weather dictate which trails and sights are accessible each day.
(http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/MTGLAC:13)

Amenities:
There are 13 campgrounds that are accessible by road and many more sites for backpackers. Bring plenty of water and food rations if staying anywhere besides St. Mary, Rising Sun, Lake McDonald Lodge, Fish Creek, or Apgar as the sheer distance prevents access to gas, food, and supplies.

Conclusion:
Glacier's magnificence is unmatched the United States. There are countless snow-capped peaks, glaciers, creeks, and some of the clearest lakes in the world (can see up to 50' below the water surface). Majestic views from the Going-to-the-Sun road make it the most scenic in the U.S. hands down. Wildlife such as elk, deer, bear, salmon, and eagles are common. Make sure to plan on staying longer than a few days to get the Glacier experience, before they recede completely.

#5 Zion

#5 ZionLocation: Springdale, UT
NPS Website: http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm


Major Attractions:
The Narrows
Panorama Point
Angels Landing
Emerald Pools
Watchman

Number of Attractions: 13
The Narrows, Panorama Point, Weeping Rock, Angels Landing, Emerald Pools, Court of the Patriarchs, Watchman, Virgin River & Pa'rus Trail, Kolob Reservoir, Kolob Canyons, Kolob Arch, Lava Point, Zion Tunnel

Accessibility:
Approximately 80% of the attractions listed above are accessible by paved road, dirt road, short trail, or tram. The tram circulates between the first 8 attractions listed above, the campground, the Visitor's Center, and Springdale. The Narrows is subject to flooding from the Virgin River and special no-slip shoes are required.

Maintenance of Roads/Trails:
Main roads, overlooks, and trails are very well maintained despite catastrophic wash-out events in the past. Hwy 9 can be congested throughout the day waiting to enter the South Entrance to the park. Trails to Weeping Rock and Panorama Point are very well maintained. Accessibility to the Kolob Terrace and Kolob Canyons section of the park is by car or backpacking only, so allow for at least 3 hr travel time from Springdale. Summer is the best time to visit, but the park also sees 3,000+ visitors a day in the Summer.
(http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/UTNPZION:13)

Amenities:
There are 3 campgrounds that are accessible by road. Bring plenty of water and food rations if staying in Lava Point camp on Kolob Terrace. The Zion Lodge, South camp, and Watchman campgrounds are all accessible to supplies in Springdale by tram.

Conclusion:
There is no other valley in the United States that is more colorful than Zion Canyon. Red, orange, and white rock faces surround the valley. Light blue green waters of the Virgin River rush through the valley. A wide variety of plants such as cottonwoods, black mold, and cacti are spread throughout the landscape. Wildlife, including deer, make a very photogenic experience in Zion. The ease of travel using the tram really makes everything accessible in a short amount of time, but you'll want to stay permanently. Zion is as good as it gets in Utah.

#6 Canyonlands

#6 Canyonlands
Location: Moab, UT
NPS Website: http://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm

Major Attractions:
Grand View Point Overlook
Green River Overlook
Elephant Hill
Newspaper Rock

Number of Attractions: 13
Grand View Point, Green River, Panorama Point, Buck Canyon, Shafer Canyon, Colorado River, Confluence, and Maze Overlooks. Upheaval Dome, Mesa Arch, Elephant Hill, Needles Outpost, and
Newspaper Rock.

Accessibility:
Approximately 80% of the attractions listed above are accessible by paved road, dirt road, or a short trail. However, 50% of the total park is only accessible by backpacking or ATV. The three sections of the park, Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze are separated by several hours drive around the Colorado and Green Rivers. Those who backpack will surely be rewarded.

Maintenance of Roads/Trails:
Main roads, overlooks, and trails are fairly maintained. Hwy 211 into The Needles is under construction in some places and the road has a sharp drop-off on the shoulders. The dirt road to Elephant Hill is in reasonable shape and a must travel by any car. In summer, it is hot everywhere within the park as the vast majority is desert, bare canyons, and grassland. May fair better in Spring or Fall.
(http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/UTNPCANY:13)

Amenities:
There are 3 campgrounds that are accessible by road and dozens of designated backcountry campsites. Bring plenty of water and food rations, there are no lodges and no full-service amenities for miles outside the park entrances.

Conclusion:
Each overlook offers a new experience. The road to Elephant Hill is a very unique descent into a red/white canyon. And Upheaval Dome is an uncommon abscess of green rock bursting from the red canyon floor. And coolest of all, Newspaper Rock is the largest surviving wall of pictographs despite being damaged repeatedly by modern graffiti.

The Canyonlands is remote and lightly traveled by tourists, making it a delight to discover. If you're looking for the best backcountry experience in the Southwest, Canyonlands has it all.

#7 Sequoia & Kings Canyon

#7 Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Location: Lemoncove, CA
NPS Website: http://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm

Major Attractions:
General Sherman Tree: largest tree in volume in world
General Grant Tree: America's Christmas Tree, 2nd largest
Tunnel Log: photogenic drive-thru log
Kings Canyon: hailed as miniature Yosemite Valley
Mt. Whitney: tallest peak in lower 48 states

Number of Attractions: 11
Moro Rock, Crystal Cave, General Sherman Tree, Tunnel Log, Crescent Meadow, Tokopah Falls, General Grant Tree, Mt. Whitney, Grizzly Falls, Boyden Cave, Roaring River Falls

Accessibility:
All of Sequoia and Kings Canyon's attractions are along roads and short trails except Mt. Whitney. The roads are extremely winding and trafficked which means it takes several hours to drive from Sequoia to Kings Canyon. And currently, there is heavy construction from the south (Foothills/Ash Mountain entrance) which closes the Generals Highway for an hour at a time. Pick a campground close to your main activities.

Maintenance of Roads/Trails:
Main road, overlooks, and trails are maintained very well. In summer, it is not too hot in the tree groves or highest elevations. Precipitation is very heavy during the fall, winter, & spring months. Elevations change very drastically within the heavily wooded parks, so expect some campgrounds to remain closed due to snow.
(http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/CANPSKC:13)

Amenities:
There are more than a dozen campgrounds all over the park, making it relatively easy to find an open site. You'll need reservations to stay at Lodgepole near General Sherman Tree as its home to a village of stores and restaurants.

Conclusion:
The variety here seems endless. Caves, falls, rocks, meadows, rivers, canyons, the largest trees, and tallest mountains. Also, as bear have learned to forage from humans, you'll have your best chance in encountering one as they aren't afraid of humans.

During the summer, numerous Yucca plants are in bloom along the mountainous terrain. But many of the viewpoints are difficult to photograph as there is a serious problem with smog in the park. I was told that Sequoia is the most polluted park in the country due to smog from Los Angeles.

And don't forget to visit the hidden Kings Canyon! Driving along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway gets you feet from the rapids of the Kings River in a majestic canyon without encountering the crowds at Yosemite.

#8 Grand Canyon

#8 Grand Canyon
Location: North Rim & South Rim, AZ
NPS Website: http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

Major Attractions:
South Rim Overlook - most photographed canyon in the world
North Rim Overlook

Number of Attractions: 7
South Rim, North Rim, Cape Final, Roosevelt Point & Point Imperial Overlooks. Kaibab & Cliff Spring (North) Trails. Wooded North Rim, Desert in Canyon & South Rim

Accessibility:
Grand Canyon's magnificent overlooks and Cliff Spring are all accessible by car or short trail. Kaibab is a backpacking trail (mandatory to stay overnight at camp near Colorado River). This is the only trail at a lower elevation in the canyon. Your best chance at touring the bottom of the canyon is by raft, if the river is not swollen like it has been in 2011.

Maintenance of Roads/Trails:
Main road, overlooks, and trails are maintained very well. In the summer, the South Rim is very hot in the afternoons, but it's still enjoyable. The North Rim is mostly wooded.
(http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/AZNPSGRCA:13)

Amenities:
Only two on-site campgrounds are reserved throughout the season. There are adjoining National Forest campgrounds and private grounds which you'll find more accommodating. Lodges are mostly booked as well. No amenities along the Kaibab Trail.

Conclusion:
I know what you're thinking... how could I rank the Grand Canyon #8? On most lists, GC is ranked #1. I've accounted for the view from South Rim or North Rim being larger and more expansive than any other canyon view. However, great views of a canyon 2 times deeper than any other isn't the end-all for a National Park. Variety in landscape and interaction with all dimensions of the attractions are essential to a great experience. Cliff Spring offers some respite from staring out from numerous overlooks (must see).

Unless you're a backpacker, you won't get a good view of the bottom of the canyon. If you venture to the South Rim, you'll only see desert. There are few beginner or novice trails near the canyon. There is no reasonable view of the Colorado River unless you go whitewater rafting. And the best views are limited to the lodges, not the campgrounds.

On a budget, you can find a more interactive experience at another park with more attractions, trails, and campgrounds. But if you have money to burn, a spectacular stay at a lodge and tours down the Colorado River beat any experience in the continental U.S. Certainly a must see, just don't pass up the rest of the parks.

#9 Arches

#9 Arches National Park
Location: Moab, UT
NPS Website: http://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm

Major Attractions:
Delicate Arch - most photographed arch in the world
Balanced Rock - gravity-defying rock
Devils Garden - a garden of 8+ arches & tricky trails

Number of Attractions: 7
Courthouse Towers, Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, Windows Loop, Delicate Arch, Devils Garden (Tunnel, Pine Tree, Landscape, Partition, Navajo, Private, Double O Arch, & Dark Angel Arches)
Includes desert, red rock monuments, hoodoos (Fiery Furnace), and overlooks of the distant La Sal Mountains.

Accessibility:
Paved road takes you to all attractions' trailheads or viewpoints listed above. The trail to Double O Arch can be difficult for anyone afraid of heights as the trail narrows to 3 ft wide with 200 ft drops on both sides! The most popular attractions fill to capacity during the day, so prepare to visit those in morning and late afternoon (Delicate Arch & Devils Garden). For example, Delicate Arch is best to photograph in the evening, but least crowded during the early morning.

Maintenance of Roads/Trails:
Main road and overlooks are maintained very well. Watch where you drive off road as ruts are common along the road edges. In the summer, the desert gets very hot in the afternoons, but it's still enjoyable.
 (http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/UTNPARCH:13)

Amenities:
One on-site campground at Devils Garden is always reserved, so stay a dozen miles south in Moab. No restaurants, food, or supplies are on park grounds, so use downtown Moab to find what you need. The best respite from hot afternoons is a frosty one at Moab Brewery.

Conclusion:
This park is extremely fragile, especially Landscape Arch and Delicate Arch. A large portion of Landscape Arch fell a few years ago. If you love red rock, this theme park of Arches, Windows, and other rock formations will astound. The photographs really don't do the bright red colors justice. See this one in person!

#10 Everglades

#10 Everglades National Park
Location: Flamingo, FL
NPS Website: http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm

Major Attractions:
Anhinga Trail - home to several alligators
Flamingo - view of Florida Bay, tours of nearby bays & lakes

Number of Attractions: 5
Anhinga, Pa-hay-okee, Mahogany, Flamingo, Coastal Prairie
Includes swamp, slough, cypress forests, pine forests, mangrove forests, ponds, bays, and various islands.

Accessibility:
Paved road takes you to all attractions listed above except the easy Coastal Prairie Trail. However, the remaining 90% of the park is best accessed by canoe or boat, not by back-packing trails as much of the park is under 1-2 ft of water.

Maintenance of Roads/Trails:
Main road and overlooks are maintained very well. Other walking trails are overgrown and flooded often. Come during dry season (less mosquitos): December-March (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USFL0138)

Amenities:
Bird-watchers occupy campground during the dry season, so reserve ahead if camping. Camping in Long Pine & Flamingo. $20 boat tours from Flamingo into shark/alligator-invested waters. Camping at Flamingo is free in late October, but you have to contend with swarms of mosquitos and vultures. I did not visit the Shark Valley or Gulf Coast areas.

Conclusion:
This park is extremely fragile and depending on hurricanes and water rise, it may radically change in the next decade. Very unique landscapes and quite remote. Highly recommended!

Top Ten U.S. Parks

Just recently, I finished a whirlwind tour of National & State Parks in the Western States. This trip took 23 days to visit 21 landmarks. Below is a link to the best from 1,800 photos taken:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65923952@N05/sets/72157627224192357/

For the next few weeks, I will post my experiences and explain why each of these ten are my favorite U.S. parks to visit.
The main areas I will discuss are:
1) Major Attractions
2) Number of Attractions
3) Accessibility
4) Maintenance of Roads/Trails
5) Amenities

Below are the parks in which I make honorable mention. They are photogenic, unique, and wonderful places to see, but lack the multi-dimensional experiences found at the top ten parks. If you get a chance, please take time to visit any of these - it is well worth your time:

Acadia
Mt. Rainier
Bandelier
Aztec Ruins
Natural Bridges
Monument Valley
Canyon DeChelley
Mesa Verde
Escalante/Staircase
Capitol Reef
Redwood
Mt. St. Helens
Badlands
Glen Canyon
Bryce Canyon
Dead Horse SP (UT)
False Cape SP (VA)
Custer SP (SD)