Exploring the National Parks
Since Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill preserving Yellowstone in 1872, the US has seen a great growth in the number and variety of its national parks, which attract tourists from around the world. Here we’re going to dive into a couple in particular, from down on the coasts to high up in the mountains.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park spans a number of mountains on the Maine coast, and includes some of the highest mountains along the Atlantic. Designated in 1919, it became the first national park east of the Mississippi River. People flock to the Maine coast in the summer to enjoy such activities as kayaking, swimming, hiking, and horseback riding.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
This national park encompasses only part of Mammoth Cave, which is the largest known cave system in the world, featuring over 400 miles of passageway. Tours of the cave can run up to 6 hours, featuring sights such as Grand Avenue and Fat Man’s Misery. Located between Bowling Green and Louisville in west-central Kentucky, it’s in a land of rolling hills and deep river valleys.
Everglades National Park, Florida
The Everglades is the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi River, housing over 30 protected or threatened species, including the Florida Panther, the American Crocodile, and the West Indian Manatee. Amongst National Parks, it is the third-largest next to Death Valley and Yellowstone. The terrain is relatively flat, with plenty of trails for walking and cycling.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park straddles the US-Canada border. The American side can be found in Montana, and features many hiking trails in its over 1 million acres, as well as wildlife such as mountain goats and grizzly bears. The park is named for the glaciers that carved its mountains into existence during the last ice age — most particularly it is named for Grinnell Glacier which has sadly shrunk significantly over recent years. Visiting here you will be wowed by the park’s stark beauty and massive scale.
Arches National Park, Utah
Arches National Park is named for the more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches found throughout the park — including the famous Delicate Arch that is pictured above. Near Moab UT and the Colorado River, it is an excellent stop on a tour of the many nearby parks such as Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef. Contact us to chat about how you could craft an adventure of a lifetime in visiting these beautiful national wonders!