Get some ice cream in Mammoth Hot Springs and tool around the town to see all the elk It's not exactly a kid friendly park if they don't care about nature I'd say the easiest things to do with them would be sightseeing places like west thumb, Mammoth Hot springs, grand prismatic that have boardwalks that go by popular attractions. They might get bored waiting for ole faithful which I found underwhelming. Also go see the grand canyon of Yellowstone at artist point Drive around Hayden and Lamar valley to look for wildlife, too
try to do a wildlife safari with the kids. I did this one for a corporate event and enjoyed the experience Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris | Grand Teton & Yellowstone Tours
Boat ride at Jenny Lake, take em for food at Dornans post, drive around Kelly looking for moose and stop by Mormon Row on your way out. They can take a dip in string lake which is cold but less cold than the others Maybe incentivizise them to look for wildlife to stay engaged while driving around. 5 bucks for whoever can spot a bear, coyote, whatever
There is a rodeo in Cody that I think runs throughout the summer. I haven't been, but my dad enjoyed it. Maybe check out whitewater rafting or horseback riding. I would assume there are Kayak/ Canoe rentals on one of the lakes. Driving the Beartooth HWY up to Red Lodge is a great drive.
These are some great pics. Seeing the male elk is pretty rare, they usually stay in the woods or higher up in the mountains. I've been over to Cataloochee probably four times and have only seen females and calves down in the valley.
There were 16 out there this time. This one was also out there. Some were off in the distance so no idea what they were. The one nursing was also a male, but doesn't really count.
He definitely hikes the park more than I do. Most of my time spent there is oriented around fishing., so based around streams. What type of hike are you looking for? DIstance, only trail or some gravel/dirt road, what do you want to see? Are you day hiking or backpacking?
Others mentioned the boat ride at Jenny Lake. There is a mountain tram that takes you to the top of Rendevous Peak, 10,450 feet. https://www.jacksonholenet.com/teto...=12,463 feet in length,of 650 people per hour
Well Yellowstone and Grand Tetons were awesome! Just got back last night and already missing the weather and views amidst the flat Florida landscape and oppressive humidity. Would love to go back again without the nagging health issues that limited my physical capabilities (herniated disc and foot infection) and do some of the more strenuous hikes and a rafting trip. But I still was able to push through on the the main stuff. 10/10 parks, would recommend.
This is pretty much all of North Cascades National Park in all her glory. I think it can be kind of inaccessible to most, but it's gorgeous. Spoiler
A girl died after slipping on the cables on Half Dome I’m honestly surprised it doesn’t happen at least once a year https://www.sfchronicle.com/califor...-year-old-hiker-slips-death-half-19592656.php
Some real terrible wildfires near Jasper, Alberta. This is perhaps the most beautiful place I've ever been. I can't even begin to imagine what that town and region will look after this. This is the Maligne Lodge. The Fairmont up there also has severe damage.
Been in Tucson in February, May, July, September and October this year. Will never get tired of Saguaro NP July Spoiler September Spoiler
October Spoiler Spent a Sunday reading Midnight Cowboy at the Grand Canyon back in September. Nice way to spend a day Spoiler
Nope Bisbee and Organ Pipe are the two places in AZ I still need to hit up. Thinking maybe for Thanksgiving
just booked a hotel in Moab for three nights during Thanksgiving break. Gonna hit up Arches and Canyonlands
Green River Overlook for sunset, camp at Willow Flat campground, then sunrise at Mesa Arch My favorite thing we’ve ever done.
Arches yesterday was so cool Delicate Arch Trail at sunrise Spoiler Devils Garden Trail was the highlight of the day, some very sketchy spots with snow/ice. Partition Arch had a super cool view through it Spoiler gonna try to see the sunrise at The Windows area tomorrow morning, was about the only place I didn't check out yesterday
got to Mesa Arch at the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands for sunrise this morning but the park was blanketed with fog so there was zero visibility. Drove back to Moab and ate breakfast/shopped some while waiting for the clouds to move out Went back around 10 and had such a great day after that Spoiler walking along the rim at the Grand View Point area was so sweet. Then sunset at the Green River Overlook was incredible Will need to stay in Monticello and check out The Needles area down the road. Would be way too much driving to do Island in the Sky and Needles in one day, especially during the winter with limited daylight
Was out there summer 23 and it was incredible. Even with the longer summer hours, we didn't make it to the Needles district, our camp was up in the La Sal national forest and added an extra hour drive just to get down to Moab. The heat relief at elevation was worth it though. Drove in a day early and did Delicate Arch at sunrise then also hit Landscape Arch before it hit 99 at 12pm
We're at Zion now and I was able to get a pass to hike Angels Landing. Felt proud of myself as I was in much better shape than a lot of other hikers but coming down was honestly worse, my thighs are jello right now. There were a couple spots that I considered turning around as I thought the hike back down the part with chains might be more dangerous. Glad I didn't as the view was well worth it.
I hiked the Devil’s Garden Trail 25 years ago on a hot summer’s day. It was gloriously quiet and private. I think I saw 2 other people. Thx for all the pics!
driving from Roswell to Tucson today so made an unplanned stop at White Sands NP. Place is really cool. Ran on the dunes for an hour and got some terrific sun. Would be a wonderful place to read in some camp chairs while your little kids sled down the dunes Spoiler
we love Tucson don't we folks? Currently perched atop Wasson Peak soaking up the sun and reading in Saguaro NP. 7th time I've been up here this year. Obsessed with the Sendero Esperanza Trail Spoiler
My son and I want to hit Shenandoah on our way to the beach this Summer. My wife has minimal interest. I have not been there since I was a kid. What are the points of interest nearby that are outside the park?
I've got you covered. Went in the Fall of 2023 and got a lot of great advice from TMB and compiled it all into a Word document. I've copied and pasted it below. Shenandoah Nat’l Park Guidance Northern Portion You'll enter through Swift Run Gap. Skyline Drive is awesome. You can't go wrong driving it slowly with good music and stopping at overlooks. Also can't go wrong picking any trail head, hiking a mile in and back out. If you want lodges, go north. Big Meadows and Skyland both have pretty good food and bar with views. They'll even have games on. Both lodges have really good, short, secret, hikes from the parking lots. The one at Skyland is one of my fav hikes in the park – Millers Head Trail (park at the Ampitheater) Staying North. Old Rag is the only trail you have to get a permit for. It's badass (has a scramble) but it'll be crowded as hell this time of year. Better to hike it in the winter. Stony Man and Little Stony Man have great views. SM is the 2nd highest point in the park. SM will be crowded and Little SM is a good alternative and the views are still killer. Hawksbill is the highest peak in the park. The trail is short and steep. Obviously great views. Dark Hollow Falls is a down and up pretty much along side a creek/waterfall the entire way. Nice hike with big money payoff falls at the end. Will be fairly crowded. Naked Creek is a down and up off trail hike that takes you to 2 badass waterfalls. This is “off trail”. You’ll need to climb down Huckleberry Cliffs, which aren’t bad without a big pack and actually fun. Southern Portion South of Swift Run Gap. No lodges so it's a bit less crowded.. There's stores at Loft Mountain and Lewis Mountain. Doyles River and Jones Run are similar down and ups that lead to waterfalls. Good hikes and great waterfalls. Riprap/Wildcat/AT is 9ish mile loop that has everything. It's got Chimney Rock which is a great vista, small waterfalls, a swimming hole, valley hike along a creek, and creek crossings. I'd park at Wildcat, hike N on the AT until it hits Riprap, Riprap to Wildcat, and Wildcat back to your car. Last part of Wildcat is the "back up the mountain" so you'll want to be done, not traverse another 3ish miles on the AT. Lemme know if you have any questions or if you want more details on anything. Including the secret spots and off trail hike. Food - Jack Browns (burger/beer) - Clementine (trendier spot) Shenandoah Natl Park Friday, Oct. 20 - Enter through Swift Run Gap (MP 65.7) *Heading North - South River Falls Observation Point Trailhead (MP 62.8) - Naked Creek Overlook & Bearfence Viewpoint Trailhead (1.1 miles; out & back (easy)) - Dark Hollow Falls Trailhead (MP 50.7) - 2.8 miles; out & back (moderate) - Hawksbill Loop Trailhead (MP 45.6) - 2.8 miles; out & back (moderate) - Skyland Resort (MP 41.7) - Millers Head Trail -- Park in Ampitheater parking - Stoney Man Trailhead – 1.5 miles; out & back (easy) - Little Stoney Man Parking - Pinnacles Overlook (MP 35.5) - Hogback Mountain Overlook (MP 20.8) - Lands Run Fall Trail (MP 9.2) - 2.4 miles; out & back (moderate) - Gooney Run Overlook (MP 6) *Turn around and head South - Swift Run Gap (MP 65.7) - Brown Mountain Overlook (MP 76.9) - Doyles River Falls - Jones Run Falls - Blackrock Summit (MP 84.8) - Crimora Lake Overlook (MP 92.6) - Calf Mtn Overlook (MP 96.9) - Rockfish Gap Entrance Station (MP 105) Saturday, Oct. 21 - Enter through Swift Run Gap (MP 65.7) *Heading South - Wildcat Ridge trail parking (MP 92.1) - Hike North on the AT (parallel to Skyline Dr) until splits left on the Riprap trail - Follow Riprap trail west and south until it meets up with Wildcat Ridge trail - Follow Wildcat Ridge trail to car Naked Creek - Park at Naked Creek Overlook (parking at overlooks is allowed). - Enter the field to the left of the paved lot. You'll see somewhat of a trail. It'll skirt the left side of the field and eventually take you in the woods. - After the field ends you basically just head down the mountain. - There is a creek to your left you need to locate. You'll keep that creek to your left the entire way down. You'll veer away from it at times but never more than a 100 yards or so. - Huckleberry Cliffs is maybe halfway down. Left side is the best way down but not directly by the creek. Just going to have to feel that out a bit. - When that creek to your left merges with the creek at the bottom it forms a nice fall. Look for that. - After the merge, head down steam but cross over and stay on the far side of the stream the rest of the way. Lots of rocks and even boulders at times. Watch for ankle entrapment in holes between rocks covered with leaves. - When you feel you can't go any further, stay on the far side and go up and around the obstacles that way. You'll do this one time and you'll have to climb down a ledge. - At the bottom of that ledge is a great waterfall with a large pool at the bottom. Enjoy that. - Keep following the creek (creek always on your left) and eventually you come to the top of a tall waterfall overlooking the forest floor below. Great spot to sit and enjoy a drink/snack. - To get down the fall find your way up the hill to the right. May have to back track a bit, I can't quite recall. But you want to go waaaay up the hill before turning and heading down the hill towards the bottom of the fall. - You can walk right up to the bottom of the falls and in it. - The forest gets pretty flat after that so good places to sit, hammock, creek hop, etc. Massive Brook trout in all those holes. - Walk back out the way you came. It's a steep walk so give yourself the appropriate amount of time.
We stayed at the Hyatt in Harrisonburg and it was a great set-up for us. Plus, we still talk about how good all the food at the restaurant at the top of the hotel was.
planning a trip to Mojave National Preserve in March. Also really wanna do Death Valley this spring if the park roads are mostly open again
I’m not sure it matters, we’ll probably drive Skyline Drive from one end to the other, so we can stay either.
Luray Caverns are badass. Best caves I've been to. Worth the touristy process, they are legit. Rafting the South Fork of the Shenandoah River is easy and fun. Has 1 decent rapid but you don't need a guide so that's cool . Both of these are just outside the North end of the park. They also have horse back rides you can take in the park. Actual trail rides. Pretty cool. Will post more as I think of them.
I did Banff and finished with 1 night in Calgary during the stampede. Its a cool city, anchored by o&g companies. Some decent restaurants. Stampede is a big deal though, would recommend.