Domestic Travel: U.S. National Parks
With borders having been closed for what feels like eternity, many of us are wondering when we will finally be able to travel abroad again. As much as I long for a good ole’ international excursion, I’ve really learned to love and appreciate the beauty of the USA over the last several months. Would you believe that this country is home to 63 designated national parks and recreational areas? Last year, I was lucky enough to road-trip through 8 of them (yes, just a small dent), starting out west and ending on the amazing island of Maui. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of advanced planning was required for these trips. Being the wanderess that I pride myself in being, this goes against almost everything I stand for, but the extra precautions prevented my trips from ending in disaster. I could go through all of the necessary safety measures in detail, but due to the evolving nature of each state’s travel restrictions, I would advise that you refer to the official website of each to help you plan your trip(s). Here are some of the highlights of my most recent adventures:
Grand Canyon National Park
To kick off our road trip, my favorite travel buddy and I flew from NYC to the beautiful, desert state of Arizona. After spending some time soaking in the Sedona views, we headed up to the South entrance of the Grand Canyon. Known for its riveting overlooks, the Grand Canyon is truly an American icon and geologist’s paradise. It’s one of those places that looks even more incredible with the naked eye; photos just don’t do it any justice. During my time there, I spent hours just taking it all in before finally descending down the Bright Angel trail. Temperatures in the canyon reached an epic 115 degrees so continuous rest and hydration was key for us staying healthy during our hike (serves us right for underestimating the summertime Arizona heat). Luckily, there were several shaded rest areas and hydration stations located along the trail that helped keep us cool.
Important Safety Note: Bright Angel trail can be enjoyed by all, even by those who want to enjoy a casual hike and still catch some fantastic views. It is highly recommended, however, that hikers allow two full days to account for the journey down to the Colorado River and back.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area/ Horseshoe Bend
Page, Arizona is well know for being home to the picturesque Antelope Canyon, but nearby is also the popular Lake Powell. (Upper Antelope Canyon was closed at this point due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and although this was a major bummer, we were able to find several fun activities to do in its place). While at the lake, we rented kayaks and paddled our way out towards the lower canyon area accessible by water. What made this experience so unique was the ability to enjoy some outdoor adventure, but still be able to dive into the history of Navajo Nation. With so much uniqueness attributed to this American Indian territory, I’m really lucky to have learned more about it from our local guide. Just for fun afterwards, we also ventured to nearby Horseshoe Bend for a surreal sunset experience. It was the perfect way to end our short visit to Arizona!
Zion National Park
Wow, what an introduction, Utah! There are so many beautiful qualities of Zion; the drive into the park itself is an actual wonder. Long, winding roads and endless rock structures both contributed to such an incredible journey. We spent the morning hiking along the Emerald Pool trails before hopping onto the shuttle towards the Riverside Walk. If one ever has a chance to hike through the narrows, then the opportunity should be immediately taken, no questions asked. This roundtrip journey totals 16 miles, but since the trail is out and back, hikers can retreat at any time. (It’s important to note that appropriate footwear should be worn for this hike. Canyoneer shoes can be rented near the park if needed). I wish I had more time to spend exploring Zion, but know a return trip will definitely be back on my list soon.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is located only a few hours from Zion, so we decided to explore a small section of each park in one day. In my opinion, Bryce Canyon is incredibly underrated. This park is also perfect for those who want to get out into nature, but are not necessarily interested in enduring any strenuous activity. We chose to hike along the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail and was able to make it back up in time for an incredible sunset. After a long day of exploring, we treated ourselves to a full course dinner at the Stone Hearth Grille, located just a short drive away from the park. I can’t recommend this restaurant enough, the staff was very attentive and the food was absolutely divine. The outdoor dining area also boasts a wonderful panoramic view of mountainous Utah. It was both a well earned and memorable meal after a long hard day of exploring! Next stop on our trip: WYOMING!
Yellowstone National Park
Wild animals. Waterfalls. Geysers. Yellowstone National Park is just one of those places that makes you feel like you’re on a different planet. I can’t articulate the indescribable feeling that comes with watching a baby Bison stumble along side her mama near Lamar Valley. Or the anticipation of waiting alongside other tourists for Old Faithful to strut her stuff. Whether you’re traveling with friends, family or a significant other, this park has something amazing for everyone.
Fun Fact: Yellowstone reintroduced wild wolves to the park back in the 1990’s. Though the effects of this have been a controversial topic of discussion, observing these animals in action was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity observed through the lens of our handy binoculars.
Grand Teton National Park
My first Grizzly encounter! After spending a full day hiking and exploring Grand Teton National Park, we encountered this beautiful mama bear munching on some road-side berries with her five cubs. After some time, a group of curious humans started to gather near to watch this family enjoy their afternoon snack. Luckily for all, a park ranger was quick to the scene to keep everyone safe and moving. What an amazing experience and perfect way to end the day.
Important Safety Note: Grizzly bears are wild and predatory animals and can attack without warning, so it’s really important to always keep a safe distance at all times. If possible, I would also encourage you to have a working can of bear spray on your hip when out and about in grizzly country.
Glacier National Park
Some people say that you should never pick a favorite child. For those of us who don’t (yet) have children, I guess the expression goes that you should never pick a favorite national park. In my opinion, Montana is one of the most beautiful places in all of America. It’s just so large and picturesque; this state is super special and Glacier National park is no exception. I could have easily spent weeks exploring this section of Montana, but with just a few days we tried to optimize our time by hiking some of the more popular trails. The Highline Loop trail requires a full day of hiking, but travelers who make it to the end are rewarded with a surreal overlook view of a beautiful glacier. In addition to this, the Going to the Sun Road provides ample opportunity for park visitors to enjoy roadside views. I am a big believer in the phrase, “go big or go home,” so I wanted to make this part of the trip as authentic as possible. No visit to Montana is complete without an overnight stay in a cozy wooden cabin! As a bonus, we also spent a night on a working horse ranch, which added to the rustic wilderness experience we had escaped the city to find. I don’t want to give too much away, so you will just have to go see what I mean for yourself! I’m just so glad that we were able to end our road-trip on such a positive note.
Haleakala National Park
In case anyone is wondering what Mars looks like! Hawai’i is home to two US National Parks, one of which I was able to explore during my winter trip to Maui. Situated above the clouds, Haleakala, also known as the East Maui Volcano, is located at 10,023 feet above sea level. The iconic crater of this dormant volcano is always a favorite destination for those looking for a great sunrise. According to some, its arguably one of the best on planet earth. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to book a reservation in advance for entrance to the park during sunrise this time around, BUT I was able to spend time exploring the summit during the early afternoon hours.
Fun Fact: Haleakala covers over 75% of the island of Maui. The remaining 25% is covered by a second volcano known as Mauna Kahalawai, or West Maui Mountains.
So there you have it. A few moments of solace during such a chaotic year. There are so many beautiful places in the USA, I just hope I have time to get to all of them! Have you enjoyed any local exploration this year? I love hearing more about the adventures of my family and friends (and selfishly, I’m also always looking for inspiration for my next trip)! If so, I’d love to hear more about your adventures in the comments below.
-E
P.S Although not mentioned above, part of our summer road trip required for us to drive through Salt Lake City. While here, we decided to stop for lunch for a couple of tasty bahn mi Vietnamese sandwiches at Oh Mai Sandwich Kitchen. If you are looking for a quick and tasty lunch, then I couldn’t recommend this local restaurant more!
