Acadia National Park Photo Credit: Pixabay
Acadia National Park (Maine)
- 3 Lighthouses: Bass Harbor Head Light, Baker Island Light & Bear Island Light
- 10 Small Ponds
- 14 Great Ponds
- 26 Significant Mountains
- 2,900 Acres is Isle au Haut
- 30,200 Acres is Mount Desert Island
- 47,000 Acres
- 158 Miles of Hiking Trails
- Activities: Bicycling, Canoeing, Fishing, Guided Boat Tours, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Rock Climbing & Sea Kayaking
- Annual Acadia Night Sky Festival (September) is Popular Amongst Artists, Photographers, Researchers & Speakers
- Approximately 4 Million Visits Annually
- Backcountry Camping is Not Permitted
- Bar Harbor Town with Restaurants & Shops
- Blackwoods Campground (East Side) is Most Popular for Nearby Sites
- Cadillac Mountain was Named after French Explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac (1658 - 1730)
- Campground Costs Does Not include Park Entry
- Campground Reservations Commence 3 Months in Advance
- Dogs Permitted
- Eastern Side of Mount Desert Island is 1 Way & Clockwise from Bar Harbor to Seal Harbor
- Electric Bikes Not Permitted
- Entrance Pass Required (Fee Varies by Entry Method)
- Flying Mountain's Summit is 1,530 Feet
- Glacier Granite Peaks
- Home to the United States’ East Coast Highest Point (Cadillac Mountain)
- January is the Coldest Month
- Late June - Early October the Island Explorer Shuttle Bus is Available
- Late Spring (May) - Early Autumn (Late September - Mid October) Campsites are Open with the Exception of Blackwoods
- Low Tide Bar Island Sandbar is Foot Accessible
- Mid Day is Prone to Vehicle Congestion (Best Before 8AM or After 5PM)
- Mid May - Mid October Park Rangers Offer: Boat Cruises, Children's Programs, Evening Amphitheater Programs, Hikes & Walks
- June - August Mild Air Temperatures
- October Boasts Autumn Colors
- October 7 - March 6 Summit of Cadillac is Where to Observe the First USA Sunrise
- Offers 4 Campgrounds: Blackwoods (Mount Desert Island Eastside), New Schoodic Woods (Schoodic Peninsula), Remote Duck Harbor (Isle au Haut) & Seawall (Mount Desert Island Westside)
- Otter Cliff is Popular for Climbing
- Parking is Limited during the Summer
- Park Loop Road (27 Miles) Offers Scenic Viewpoints
- Park Loop Road Closes on December 1
- Picnic Tables Available
- Rocky Beaches
- Seawall Campground is Less Crowded (West Side)
- Snowfall may Occur from October - May
- Swim is at Echo Lake & Sand Beach
- Vehicle Reservations Required for Cadillac Summit Road (Small Fee)
- Wildlife: Bear, Moose, Seabirds, Seals & Whales
- Winter Activities: Cross Country Skiing, Ice Fishing, Snowshoeing & Snowmobiling
Denali National Park Photo Credit: Kerstin Kaufmann/Pixabay
Denali National Park (Alaska)
- 4 Camping Areas
- 5 Lodges at Kantishna
- 10 Fish Species
- 16% is Glacier Covered
- 450+ Species of Flowering Plants
- 600+ Earthquakes Occur Annually
- 6,045,153 Acres
- Alaska is Not a Budget Friendly Destination
- Area Hotels Remain Closed until Mid May
- Aurora (Northern Lights) tends to be Visible Early Spring, Fall & Winter
- Bus Depot offers: Campsite Check In/Reservations, Coffee Stand, Information Desk & Small Gift Shop
- Chartering Air Taxi Flight from/to Kantishna Airport (5Z5) is a Great Way to Get Around
- Complimentary Backpacking Permit Required
- Convenience Stores, Gift Shops, Hotels & Restaurants are within the Park
- Daily Bus & Train Service to the Park from Anchorage & Fairbanks Ends Mid September
- Denali Mountain is North America's Tallest Peak (20,310 Feet)
- Denali Park Road usually Closes at Mile 3 for Months
- Estimated 70 Bears per 1,000 Square Miles (Northside)
- Estimated 2,700 Black Bears (334 per 1,000 Square Mile)
- Fairbanks offers a Higher Possibility of Seeing Aurora (Northern Lights)
- Feeding any Animal is Strictly Forbidden
- Formerly Known as Mount McKinley National Park
- Highest Mountain in North America
- High Altitude Fall Colors Start Early August & Spread down Mountainside Valley Mid September
- Intense Tectonic Activity
- Interiorly Located in Alaska
- Kantishna Resorts has No Cell Service or TV's
- Kantishna is Best Reached by Air Taxi via Purkeypile Airport (O1A)
- Kantishna & Wonder Lake is a 6 Hour Bus Ride
- Kahiltna Glacier is the Longest
- Landslides Occur
- Long Hours of Darkness from Early Spring, Fall & Winter
- Muldrow Glacier is the Largest
- No Local Rental Facilities during the Winter
- No Public Transportation beyond Summer Season
- No Roads Extend to the Preserve Areas
- Private Vehicles are Not Permitted beyond the Savage River Bridge
- Riley Creek Campground is Complimentary from Mid September - Mid May
- Riley Creek Campground is Open Rear Round
- Spring Season is April 15 - May 19
- Summers are Cool & Damp
- Summer Season is May 20 - September 15
- Whether 6 Weeks Before or After Summer Solstice (June 21) do Not Expect to See the Aurora
- Winter Activities: Bicycling, Cross Country Skiing, Dog Sledding & Snowshoeing
- Winter Season is Considered Late September - Early May
- Winter Visitor Center offers Loaner Ice Grippers & Snowshoes
- Winterfest is Hosted Annually in February & Entrance Fees are Waived
Glacier National Park Photo Credit: Eric Stone/Pixabay
Glacier National Park (Montana)
- 1+ Million Land Acres
- 25 Active Glaciers
- 130 Named Lakes
- 200 Waterfalls
- 700+ Miles of Hiking Trails
- 3.5+ Million Visitors Annually
- Activities: Backpacking, Camping, Cycling, Fly Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking & Rock Climbing
- Adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada)
- Amtraks Empire Builder Stops Seasonally at East Glacier & Year Round at Essex & West Glacier
- Ancient Rock Mountain Formations
- Apgar & St. Mary are Open Year Round
- Bicycle Use on Going-to-the-Sun Road is 11AM - 4PM (June 15 - Labor Day)
- Bird Woman Falls is the Tallest Waterfall (492 Feet)
- Borders Canada
- Closest Airport is Kalispell, MT
- Complimentary Shuttle Service on Going-to-the-Sun Road (July 1 - Labor Day)
- Considered "Crown of the Continent Ecosystem"
- Distant to/from Major Cities
- Dogs are Not Permitted on Trails
- Established in 1910
- Going-to-the-Sun Road Usually Closes 3rd Monday in October
- Guided Tours Available
- Hark's in West Glacier, MT
- Hiking in June is Not Permitted Due to Avalanche Risk
- June - August is Best for Hiking & Scenic Drives
- Less Crowded in September & October
- May - September is Crowded
- Nearly 3 Million Visit Annually
- Park Commute is 40 Minutes - 2 1/2 (Depending on Route)
- Park Entry or Pass Required
- Photogenic Hidden Lake
- Popular Hiking Areas: Avalanche Lake, Grinnell Glacier & Highline Trail
- Snowmobiling is Illegal
- Tour Buses Available (Red Jammers)
- Two Medicine Region has the Largest Waterfalls
- Vehicle Registration Required
- Winter Activities: Cross Country Skiing
- Winter Recreation is Limited
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photo Credit: LaRae Thornton/Pixabay
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina & Tennessee)
- 11 Waterfalls
- 95% is Forested
- 200+ Bird Species
- 850 Miles of Trails & Unpaved Roads
- 522,419 Acres
- 14.1+ Million Visitors Annually
- Annual Events: Festival of Christmas Past, Holiday Homecoming, Junior Ranger Day, Music of the Mountains Festival & Smokies Harvest Celebration Wildflower
Pilgrimage - Appalachian Trail Passes through the Park Center
- Backcountry Camping & 10 Frontcountry Campgrounds
- Bicycle Rentals Available (Cades Cove)
- America's Most Visited National Park
- Barbecue Grills & Picnic Tables
- Cades Cove Loop Road is Popular Amongst Bicyclist
- Cades Cove Valley has Preserved Historical Buildings (Barns, Churches & Log Cabins)
- Complimentary Park Entry
- Dogs Permitted
- Fishing is Permitted Year Round
- Fishing Requirements & Restrictions Apply
- Flash Flooding Occurs After Rainstorms
- Highest Mountains: Clingmans Dome, Mount Guyot & Mount Le Conte
- Horseback Riding is Available Mid March - Late November (Limited Trails)
- International Biosphere Reserve (1988)
- June - July Dogwood, Redbud & Wildflowers are in Bloom
- Lakeview Drive (North Shore of Fontana Lake) is a Scenic Road
- Late May - Early June the Elkmont Area has Fireflies
- LeConte Lodge (Mt LeConte) is the Only Accommodations within the Park
- LeConte Lodge (Mt LeConte) is Only Accessible by Hiking
- No Entry Fee
- Officially Dedicated (1940) by President Franklin D Roosevelt
- Overnight Stays Require Permits
- Parking Fee Applies ($5 Daily, $15 Weekly or $40 Annually)
- Parking Tag Required for 15+ Minutes
- Park used in Disney's Film TV Series: Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (1950's)
- Popular Nearby Attractions: Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN), Ober Gatlinburg (Gatlinburg, TN) & Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies (Gatlinburg, TN)
- RV & Tent Campers Welcome
- September - October Autumn Colors
- Several Historical Buildings
- Sevier County, TN Embraces Tourists
- Straddles the Border between North Carolina & Tennessee
- Strong Winds Occur Year Round (Especially October - April)
- Tennessee's Cades Cove Requires 2 -3 Hours by Vehicle
- Tornados & Wildfires Occur
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (1983)
- Within 50 Yards of Wildlife is Prohibited
Grand Canyon National Park Photo Credit: Filio/Pixabay
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
- 5 Climate Zones
- 25 miles Desert View is Open Year Round (South Rim)
- 30 Miles of the South Rim is Road Accessible
- 1,217,262 Acres
- Advance Camping & Lodging Reservations Required
- April & May Tends to be Cooler
- March - December Access to Hermits Rest is Restricted to the Complimentary Shuttle (South Rim)
- Considered One of the Wonders of the World
- Entrance Pass Required
- Grand Canyon Village (South Rim) Visitor Services: Churches, Food, Fuel, Guided Walks, Hospital, Lodging, Souvenirs, Talks & Trail Access
- Inner Cannon Explored by Backpackers, Hikers, Mule Riders or River Runners
- July - September Thunderstorms are Common
- Keep You Gas Tank Full (Due to Distances)
- Majority Visit the South Rim
- Mather Point (South Rim) is a Popular Hikers Starting Point
- Mule Rides Available (North Rim)
- North Rim is Higher Elevation than the South Rim
- North Rim is Open Mid May 15th - October 15th
- North Rim is Secluded
- October 16th - November 30th the North Rim is Day Hours Only
- October & November Hiking Trails are Less Crowded
- Private Canyon Flyovers via Helicopters or Small Planes are Booked from Grand Canyon National Park Airport (Tusayan, AZ), Las Vegas (NV) or Phoenix (AZ)
- South Entrance Area has Popular Viewpoints
- South Rim is Open All Year
- South Rim is Prone to Crowds Spring Break & Summer Months
- South Rim is Less Crowded November - February
- South Rim Village to North Rim Village Requires 5 Hours via Vehicle
- Summer Temperatures Can Reach 100°F
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (1979)
- Visitor Services are Closed or Limited after October 15
Joshua Tree National Park Photo Credit: Brigitte Werner/Pixabay
Joshua Tree National Park (California)
- 4 Visitor Centers
- 7 Species of Rattlesnakes
- 9 Campgrounds
- Accessible Friendly Trails: Bajada Nature Trail, Cap Rock Nature Trail, Lower Keys View Overlook & Oasis of Mara Trail
- Campground Available
- Campsite Reservations Required
- Desert Tortoises Usually Appear in Spring
- Dogs Permitted
- Keys View Road & Park Boulevard is Best Sightings of Joshua Trees
- Mobile Phone Coverage is Limited
- No Gas Stations, Hotels or Restaurants
- No Park Entry Required
- October - May is Busiest Season
- Park Open 24/7 & 365 Days
- Pets are Not Permitted on Hiking Trails
- Prone to Flash Flooding & Winds
- Spring & Fall are Coolest Temperature Months
- Stargazing is Popular
- Straddles Colorado Desert & Mojave Desert
- Sunset Views are Popular from Cholla Cactus Garden, Indian Cove, Keys View & Quail Springs
Rocky Mountain National Park Photo Credit: Rudi Nockewel/Pixabay
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
- 4 Trout Species: Brook, Cutthroat, German Brown & Rainbow
- 5 Regions: Alpine, Heart of the Park, Moose & Big Meadows, Waterfalls and Backcountry & Wilderness
- 5 Visitor Centers
- 60 Mountain Peaks
- 100+ Designated Wilderness Camping Sites
- 150 Lakes
- 300+ Miles of Hiking Trails
- 265,461 Acres of Federal Land & 253,059 Acres of U.S. Forest Service
- Bear Lake & Hidden Valley are Prone to Avalanches
- Beaver Mountain Loop Popular for Horseback Riders
- Between Towns of Estes Park (East) & Grand Lake (West)
- Cashless Payment System
- Entry Fee/Pass Required
- Hiking is Restricted to Summertime for Safety
- Horseback Riding is Permitted on Most Trails
- Longs Peak their Tallest Mountain
- March & April usually are Snowy in Colorado
- Most Photographed is Dream Lake
- Recreational Activities: Bouldering, Camping, Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Mountaineering & Rock Climbing,
- September - October Eagle, Falcon & Hawk Sights are Common
- September - October Elk Bulging Season
- Situated North Central of Colorado
- Trail Ridge Road is the Highest Paved (2,183 feet)
- Wildfires Occur
- Winter Camping is October - May
- Winter Season is usually Late September/Early October to Late May/Early June
Yellowstone National Park Photo Credit: Klaus Stebani/Pixabay
Yellowstone National Park (Idaho, Montana & Wyoming)
- 12 Campgrounds
- 290 Waterfalls
- 300 Backcountry Campsites
- 69000+ Species of Plants & Trees
- 2,219,789 Acres
- Activities: Bicycling, Boating, Guided Tour, Hiking, Horse Riding, Indigenous Cultural Events, Picnic, Ranger Program, & Wildlife Watching
- At Your Own Risk Swimming
- Autumn Color Season is October
- Bison Herd are the Largest & Oldest in the USA
- Boating Season is from Memorial Day Weekend - October
- Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Elk & Wolf Sights are Best May - June
- December - March Road Access is Snow Limiting
- Due to Current Firehole Swim Area is Closed until Mid Summer
- Eagle Peak is the Highest Peak (11,358 Feet)
- Earthquakes Occur
- Entire Park within the Jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming
- First National Park in the USA & in the World
- Forest Fires occur Year Round
- Hunting is Not Permitted
- May - June is Wildflower Season
- July is the Busiest Month Amongst Visitors
- Migrating Wildlife is October
- Mostly in Wyoming (98%)
- Motorized Boats Only Permitted on Lewis & Yellowstone Lakes
- NonMotorized Boats are Not Permitted on Beach Springs Lagoon, Eleanor Lake, Sylvan Lake & Twin Lakes
- October Tends to Be Cooler Weather
- Old Faithful Geyser is Popular
- Only year round road is from the North Entrance (Gardiner, MT) through the park to Cooke City, MT via the Tower Junction
- Operation Hours Vary Throughout the Year
- Park Roads are Usually Closed from November - April
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (1978)
- Vessel Length Not to Exceed 40 Feet
- Watercraft are Required a Yellowstone National Park Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection & Boat Permit before Launch
- Winter Activities: backcountry Camping, Skiing, Snow Coach, Snowmobiling & Snowshoe
- World's Largest Intact Ecosystem
Yosemite National Park Photo Credit: Maarten Brand/Pixabay
Yosemite National Park (California)
- 2 National Historic Landmarks: Sierra Club's LeConte Memorial Lodge & Ahwahnee Hotel
- 13 Campgrounds
- 95% Designated Wilderness
- 800+ Miles of Hiking Trails
- 759,620 Acres
- Activities: Art, Backpacking, Birdwatching, Camping, Fishing, Golf, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Interpretive Programs, Photography, Picnicking, Rafting, Rock Climbing, Stargazing & Water Activities
- Ancient Giant Sequoia
- April 13 - October 27 Reservations Required to Drive Into/Through the Park
- Backpacking is Limited
- Best Known Waterfalls
- Chain Requirements are Strictly Enforced in Wintery Conditions (Violators Citation up to $5,000)
- Bicycles are Permitted on Roads
- Bicycle Rentals Available from Spring - Fall Season
- Bordered by Sierra National Forest (Southeast) & Stanislaus National Forest (Northwest)
- Bracebridge Dinner is an Annual December Holiday Event
- California Fishing License is Required
- Curry Village & Yosemite Lodge has Swimming Pools
- Downhill Skiing is from Mid December - Early April
- Fall - Spring Roads Can Be Icy & Snowy
- February Weekend Reservations Required to Drive Into/Through the Park
- Filmed Scenes: Free Solo (2018), Maverick (1994), Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989), The Dawn Wall (2017), The Last of the Mohicans (1920), Valley Uprising (2014)
- Glacier Point Road Closes for the Winter
- Glacier Point Overlook is Accessible Late May - October/November
- Glacier Point Road Usually Reopens in May
- Hetch Hetchy Road Begins Outside of the Park on Highway 120 (Near Big Oak Flat Entrance Station)
- Hetch Hetchy is Only Open during Daylight Hours (Sunrise - Sunset)
- Hetch Hetchy Valley is a All Seasons Treasure
- High Sierra is 1 Hour from Yosemite Valley
- Maximum of 300 Lottery Selected Hikers (75 Backpackers & 225 Day Hikers)
- Mountain Biking or Off Trail is Not Permitted
- No Shuttle Service between Wawona & Mariposa Grove
- Parsons Memorial Lodge is Open Late June - Early September
- Protected since 1864
- Rafting on the Merced River is from Late May - July
- Summit of Half Dome Requires a Hiking Permit whenever Cables are Up (Memorial Day Weekend - Columbus Day)
- Tioga Road Closes for the Winter (Highway 120)
- Tioga Road (47 Miles) is a Scenic Drive between Crane Flat & Tioga Pass
- Tioga Road Usually Reopens Late May or June
- Tuolumne Meadows is Popular for Rock & Mountain Climbing
- Valley Traffic Congestion is Common during Peak Summer Season (June - August)
- Wilderness Permit is Required for all Overnight
- Winter Season is December - March
Zion National Park Photo Credit: Mike Wilson/Pixabay
Zion National Park (Utah)
- 3 Campgrounds
- 289 Species of Birds
- Accessible Friendly: Human History Museum, Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Shuttle Buses, Visitor Centers & Zion Lodge
- Activities: Guided Horseback Riding, Nature Walks
- Autumn Tree Colors Begin in September & Peak Late October
- Bookstore attached to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center offers: Books, Maps & Souvenirs
- Camping is Only Permitted in Designated Areas
- Fee Entry
- Complimentary Springdale Line Shuttle Service Operates to/from Angels Landing, Emerald Pools, Narrows, West Rim Trail, Zion Canyon Visitor Center & Zion Lodge
- Complimentary Shuttle Service from November 27 - December 21
- Even Programs from Late March - Early November
- Highest Point is Horse Ranch Mountain (8,726 Feet)
- Kolob Canyons is Accessible from Interstate 15 (Exit 40)
- Kolob Arch (Tucupit Point) is One of the World's Longest Natural Arches
- Lava Point Campground Opens in Spring - October
- Lowest Point Coalpits Wash (3,666 Feet)
- No Permit, Reservation or Ticket Required to Ride the Complimentary Shuttle Service
- Notables: Altar of Sacrifice, Angels Landing, Court of the Patriarchs, Emerald Pools, The Great White Throne, The Sentinel, The Watchman, The West Temple, Towers of the Virgin & Weeping Rock
- Overnight Backcountry Camping Requires Permits
- Popular Trails: Kolob Arch (8 Hours Round Trip) & Taylor Creek is 4 Hours Roundtrip)
- President William Howard Taft Named the Area Mukuntuweap National Monument (1909)
- President Woodrow Wilson Signed the Parks Name to Change as it is Today
- River Flows to Emerald Pools
- South Campground is Open from March - October
- Special Use Permit (SUP) Authorizes: Athletic Events. Collection of Resource Materials, Commercial Filming or Photography, First Amendment Activities, Memorial Services, Special Assemblies & Weddings
- Spring Wildflowers Bloom from April - June & Peak May
- Temple of Sinawava is Named for the Coyote God of the Paiute Indians
- Thunderstorms Common July - September
- Watchman Campground is Open Year Rou
- Winter Season is November - March
- Zion Canyon Visitor Center to Temple of Sinawava is Approximately 45 Minutes via Complimentary Shuttle Service
- Zion Lodge (on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive) is Opened Year Round
- Zion Lodge is a Concessioner to the Park
- Zion-Mount Carmel Highway SR-9 (East Side) Passes through the Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel & Concludes ends at Mount Carmel Junction US 89
Photo Credit: Mike Wilson/Pixabay
Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
