National Parks

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Located on Mt Desert Island on the coast of Maine, Acadia offers a way to see a stunning sunrise from Cadillac Mountain near wonderful Bar Harbor.

Utah has five national parks in the southern part of the state that reflect on billions of years of erosion and shifting tectonic plates. Arches is my favorite. 

Close to Rapid City South Dakota, the Badlands is also eroded land with buttes and pinnacles. Loop drive and many trails to climb.

A stunning walk through caverns in southern New Mexico. Walking and elevator entrances available with lots of lighting inside the caverns.

A national monument rather than a park, Craters of the Moon was born from what is now still roaring and gurgling beneath Yellowstone. 

Had been in Las Vegas for a few days (not me) and left about 4:30 am to capture this sunrise at Death Valley. Winter is the best for here and Joshua Tree.

Crossing over northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon has the Columbia River deep in the canyon. Views from south or north areas with rafting available.

Great Smoky Mountains is the most popular American park, located by a town filled with other fun activities for all ages in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Haleakalā is the volcano that created the island of Maui in Hawaii. Took a ride with a friend to the top of it, where there is an observatory.

None of my photos really show the size and striking feelings of driving and strolling through many of the Redwoods  A must!

Yellowstone is known for geysers and bison and its beautiful lake. But ravens are everywhere as well, hoping for food from humans.

A striking valley with the Merced River and striking peaks worth climbing, trails to waterfalls, and mostly campsites to stay in.

Early spring drive through Bryce Canyon on a chilly March morning to see the hoodoos in rich orange shades. Fewer visitors  and cooler than summer. 

This stunning canyon in Arizona is on Navajo land. Spider Rock spire, about 800-feet tall can be seen from a view above the canyon. Canyon entrance only with Navajo  Private tours available.

A hardwood tree park in South Carolina, lush with water from the Waterlee and Congaree Rivers and filled with loblolly pines, bald cypress, sweetgum and water tupelo trees. 

A stunning lake born of a volcano, Crater Lake is in southern Oregon, north of Klamath Falls. This visit was in late fall with fresh new snow.

Passed by Great Basin in northeast Nevada, near the border while on the way to Utah parks. Nearby free camping available. 

Worth a visit if you are in southern California in the winter season, this park is south of Death Valley. 

Lassen Volcanic National Park, in northern California contains hydrothermal sites like Bumpass Hell, (bubbling mud pots.) Trails through the forest and around several lakes.

Southern Arizona is filled with cacti and a national park was created to save the plants in 1994. Uniquely divided into two sections on each side of the city of Tucson. 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in an area of North Dakota where he once lived. Bison might be walking right beside your car.

White Sands represents 275 square miles of rare, white gypsum sand near the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico. Popular for sunrises and sunsets.

Wupatki National Monument is another Native American historical spot located just north of Flagstaff, AZ with pueblos used by the the Anasazi and Sinagua tribes into the 12th century.

Zion is one of the most popular Utah parks, the canyon with the Virgin River. Busses will take travelers down the road except for winter.  Angels Landing is the most striking hike in the park.