Best National Parks: California, Arizona & Utah
A Guide to the Four Best Parks on the West Side of the Rockies.
Jun 8, 2009
Due to "tought economic times" all 147 National Parks will offer three fee-free weekends and many concessioners are welcoming visitors on the summer's fee free weekends by offering their own special offers. Read below for the best national parks to visit this summer for an inexpensive getaway.
Bryce National Park: A Geological Wonder
This compact park is one of Utah’s smallest, but still provides plenty of outdoor activities including the favorites: hiking, biking and camping. The parks most famous sights are at The Park’s most famous sights are at Bryce Amphitheater, but the best way to experience the canyons and eroding hoodoos is to hike below the rim. The trails vary from easy to strenuous, and all include dazzling views. A wonderful half-day hike is Fairyland Loop Trail which takes you down into the bottom of the valley, looking up at the hoodoos, and taking you past many of the more famous rock formations.
Food and Lodging are sparse once inside the park, so plan ahead. Bryce Canyon Lodge is the only “in-park” lodging, and offers a wonderfully relaxing escape with a modern 1920’s feel. If the lodge is booked, the park has two campgrounds: North & Sunset Campground. The park has a General Store and Snack Bar which sells hot dogs, drinks, sandwiches and other “general store” type goods, and Bryce Canyon Lodge offers a casual dining experience with spectacular views, and less-than-spectacular food.
Zion National Park: A Hike and a Picnic
Approximately three hours from Las Vegas this massive national park holds magnificent rock formations, fantastic hiking, adrenaline-rushing canyoneering, and misty waterfalls.
Spring to fall, the (free) Zion shuttle, stops at all major trailheads through the 7-mile Zion Canyon, which keeps the park quiet. Hikes range from easy to strenuous; on evenly paved roads to rocky switch-backs, and all have thrilling views. The various visitor centers (the park has three) have books, maps, and weather and river condition and campground information.
Unlike Bryce Canyon, there are a plethora of food and lodging option in and around Zion National Park. The park maintains two developed campgrounds, and one more “primitive.” Campgrounds go quick in summer month, so plan on getting their early. Springdale, adjacent to the park and within walking distance, has a surplus of budget, high-end and everything in between sleeping accommodations. Similar to Bryce is ability to find good food for a decent price. To eat, head to nearby Springdale. Tsunami Juice & Java specializes in to-go wraps, throw one in your pack and find a peaceful location to eat lunch away from the crowds.
Yosemite National Park: California's Gemstone
America’s third-oldest national park boasts the challenging infamous half Dome hike, the drenching mists of Yosemite Falls, brilliant-blue lakes and giant sequoias. From June to September, the entire park is accessible and all visitor facilities are open and operating at maximum capacity; however, this is also the time period when the majority of Yosemite’s four million annual visitors also arrive. Crowds are smallest in winter, with limited lodging options and closed campgrounds. Spring and fall are often wonderful times to visit, with May and June having spectacular waterfalls, fed by the snowmelt from the Sierra, while September and early October bring a rainbow of fall foliage and crisp weather.
Grand Canyon National Park: North Rim for a quieter visit
The Grand Canyon is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, which means it’s insanely crowded. Most visitors choose the South Rim, which boasts easy access, the bulk of services and the panoramic vistas for which the park is famous. However, if you’re looking to experience the park without the crush of the crowds, opt for the quieter North Rim. This rim is 1000 feet higher than the popular South Rim, resulting in cooler temperatures, wildflower meadows, and a lush forest with ponderosa pines. Hiking is a popular activity here, with hikes for all fitness levels both above and below the canyon rim.
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