| With 388 national park sites to choose from, picking a | | | | moose is another thing. Roadless Isle Royale is a |
| park should be easy. At the tip of your travel tongue | | | | 45-mile long wilderness archipelago in the heart of |
| may be Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, but dig a | | | | Lake Superior, gloriously threaded with 165 miles of |
| little deeper and you will find many surprises. America's | | | | scenic hiking trails connecting historic lighthouses and |
| National Parks are more than just hiking trails into | | | | shipwrecks, ancient copper mining sites and plenty of |
| mountain valleys, campsites overlooking | | | | spots to observe wildlife. |
| sweepi=¾...ªñ©Ò %`& | | | | Catoctin Mountain Park (Maryland) You will not see the |
| )Izßu¨&Â[S¸3,cS='Z*ž | | | | President on Catoctin Mountain, for his nearby, |
| ºEäŒ | | | | well-known retreat, Camp David, is closed to the public. |
| §Â-³¬5 kôe¡o]t | | | | But you will see plenty of white-tailed deer, wild |
| ‹DÂjMSÆé1^ | | | | turkeys and woodpeckers among the beauty of this |
| ú?Œ²Ôlebody"> | | | | rolling forest. Camping and hiking dominate the minds of |
| With 388 national park sites to choose from, picking a | | | | visitors here, with relaxation in resplendent nature the |
| park should be easy. At the tip of your travel tongue | | | | ultimate goal for presidents and common folk alike. |
| may be Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, but dig a | | | | When to Go |
| little deeper and you will find many surprises. America's | | | | Travel agents suggest you check with each individual |
| National Parks are more than just hiking trails into | | | | park to confirm that it will be open to the public. The |
| mountain valleys, campsites overlooking | | | | summer and winter months are generally the most |
| sweepi=¾...ªñ©Ò %`& | | | | popular times. To avoid crowds, gain better access to |
| )Izßu¨&Â[S¸3,cS='Z*ž | | | | the viewing areas and enjoy more time in leisure |
| ºEäŒ | | | | pursuits, travel during the spring and fall. |
| §Â-³¬5 kôe¡o]t | | | | Peak periods also follow school schedules, so avoid |
| ‹DÂjMSÆé1^ | | | | winter break, spring break and the summer holidays. |
| ú?Œ²Ông vistas and | | | | Visiting during the week will garner you much more |
| unparalleled chances to watch moose and elk run wild. | | | | open spaces than weekends. That said, traveling |
| Many are famous historical sites, battlefields and small | | | | during peak times, like most of us are forced to do, |
| parks with big-time scenery. | | | | should never deter you from visiting, for the parks are |
| Whether you want a wild adventure or an historical | | | | well wort hiking trails into mountain valleys, campsites |
| quest, follow these helpful tips: | | | | overlooking sweepi=¾...ªñ©Ò |
| Follow Your Sense of Adventure | | | | %`& |
| Choosing the park that's right for you. In America's | | | | )Izßu¨&Â[S¸3,cS='Z*ž |
| National Parks, you can scale an active volcano in | | | | ºEäŒ |
| Hawaii; raft over class V rapids through magnificent | | | | §Â-³¬5 kôe¡o]t |
| gorges and valleys at Gauley River National | | | | ‹DÂjMSÆé1^ |
| Recreation Area; cap off a day on Alcatraz Island | | | | ú?Œ²Ôlebody"> |
| back at your hotel with a spa treatment before hitting | | | | With 388 national park sites to choose from, picking a |
| the streets of San Francisco; embrace history by | | | | park should be easy. At the tip of your travel tongue |
| tracing footprints at Antietam National Battlefield or | | | | may be Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, but dig a |
| watching oil droplets bubble to the surface of Pearl | | | | little deeper and you will find many surprises. America's |
| Harbor above the USS Arizona Memorial; shine a | | | | National Parks are more than just hiking trails into |
| solitary beacon of light into the dark depths of | | | | mountain valleys, campsites overlooking |
| Kentucky's Mammoth Cave; snorkel off the coast of | | | | sweepi=¾...ªñ©Ò %`& |
| Padre Island National Seashore; experience a | | | | )Izßu¨&Â[S¸3,cS='Z*ž |
| mystifying sense of neighborly warmth around the | | | | ºEäŒ |
| Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site; or conquer | | | | §Â-³¬5 kôe¡o]t |
| the ice age by hiking along Glacier National. | | | | ‹DÂjMSÆé1^ |
| Redefining "Crowds" | | | | ú?ÂŒÂ²Ô the Great Smokey |
| Picking the park for you may depend on how well you | | | | Mountains in Tennessee, have plenty of areas where |
| like crowds, according to travel agents. Some National | | | | your footprints will be the first ones of the day. |
| Parks reel in millions of visitors a year, though a | | | | Most Visited National Parks - 2007 |
| crowded park is not like a crowded bus. There is | | | | 1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
| plenty of room for everyone, and even the most | | | | 2. Grand Canyon National Park |
| crowded parks, likecript type="text/javascript" src=" | | | | 3. Yosemite National Park |
| With 388 national park sites to choose from, picking a | | | | 4. Olympic National Park |
| park should be easy. At the tip of your travel tongue | | | | 5. Rocky Mountain Naional Park |
| may be Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, but dig a | | | | 6. Yellowstone National Park |
| little deeper and you will find many surprises. America's | | | | 7. Cuyahoga Valley National Park |
| National Parks are more than just hiking trails into | | | | 8. Zion National Park |
| mountain valleys, campsites overlooking | | | | 9. Acadia National Park |
| sweepi=¾...ªñ©Ò %`& | | | | 10. Grand Teton National Park |
| )Izßu¨&Â[S¸3,cS='Z*ž | | | | Source: Based on data from the National Park Service |
| ºEäŒ | | | | Visitors may flock to the parks on the list above, but |
| §Â-³¬5 kôe¡o]t | | | | the good news is that others are relatively free of |
| ‹DÂjMSÆé1^ | | | | crowds, leaving more room for solitary adventure, quiet |
| ú?Œ²Ôlebody"> | | | | family outings and undisturbed wildlife. Here are a few |
| With 388 national park sites to choose from, picking a | | | | possibilities for your next escape. |
| park should be easy. At the tip of your travel tongue | | | | Nez Perce National Historical Park (Idaho, Oregon, |
| may be Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, but dig a | | | | Washington and Montana) These 38 sites in the |
| little deeper and you will find many surprises. America's | | | | valleys, prairies, mountains and plateaus of the inland |
| National Parks are more than just hiking trails into | | | | northwest honor td news is that others are |
| mountain valleys, campsites overlooking | | | | relatively free of crowds, leaving more room for |
| sweepi=¾...ªñ©Ò %`& | | | | solitary adventure, quiet family outings and undisturbed |
| )Izßu¨&Â[S¸3,cS='Z*ž | | | | wildlife. Here are a few possibilities for your next |
| ºEäŒ | | | | escape. |
| §Â-³¬5 kôe¡o]t | | | | Nez Perce National Historical Park (Idaho, Oregon, |
| ‹DÂjMSÆé1^ | | | | Washington and Montana) These 38 sites in the |
| ú?ÂŒÂ²Ô the Great Smokey | | | | valleys, prairies, mountains and plateaus of the inland |
| Mountains in Tennessee, have plenty of areas where | | | | northwest honor th the trip 365 days a year. |
| your footprints will be the first ones of the day. | | | | Where to Stay |
| Most Visited National Parks - 2007 | | | | Camping is the most popular option, whether in a tent, |
| 1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park | | | | RV or in the backcountry. Most parks have cottages, |
| 2. Grand Canyon National Park | | | | cabins, lake houses or houseboats to rent. And, near |
| 3. Yosemite National Park | | | | some parks there are hotels. As with any trip, book |
| 4. Olympic National Park | | | | your accommodations as far in advance as possible. |
| 5. Rocky Mountain Naional Park | | | | Fun for the Whole Family? Children, Yes. Pets, No. |
| 6. Yellowstone National Park | | | | National Parks are perfect for kids. Many parks run |
| 7. Cuyahoga Valley National Park | | | | Junior Ranger Programs, nature walks and wildlife talks |
| 8. Zion National Park | | | | specifically geared towards children. |
| 9. Acadia National Park | | | | The wilderness is not pet-friendly. Some hiking trails |
| 10. Grand Teton National Park | | | | prohibit all pets, while others demand that they |
| Source: Based on data from the National Park Service | | | | remained leashed. Bears, wolves and mountain lions |
| Visitors may flock to the parks on the list above, but | | | | prey on small animals and will be attracted to your trail |
| the good news is that others are relatively free of | | | | or tent if you bring your pet(s) along. |
| crowds, leaving more room for solitary adventure, quiet | | | | General Tips |
| family outings and undisturbed wildlife. Here are a few | | | | - Stop in at the Visitors Centers for the latest |
| possibilities for your next escape. | | | | information about safety hazards, closures, weather |
| Nez Perce National Historical Park (Idaho, Oregon, | | | | and wildlife notices. |
| Washington and Montana) These 38 sites in the | | | | - Always stay on the trails when walking and hiking to |
| valleys, prairies, mountains and plateaus of the inland | | | | protect both you from the wilderness and the |
| northwest honor the history of the Nez Perce people | | | | wilderness from you. |
| as they mixed with explorers, fur traders, missionaries, | | | | - Clean up after yourself. We all must do our part to |
| settlers, soldiers, gold miners and farmers. Several sites | | | | preserve the parks, so that everyone can experience |
| feature interpretive trails, and visitors will often see | | | | the wonders they have to offer for years to come |
| golden eagles, marmots, black bears and mule deer. | | | | - Get out of your car. Too many people drive through |
| Isle Royale (Michigan, Minnesota) You'll escape crowds | | | | the parks, stepping out here and there for a quick |
| of people in these wild woods of the North, but | | | | view. To truly experience the park, get out and find a |
| encountering active volcano in Hawaii; raft over class | | | | hiking trail hiking trails into mountain valleys, campsites |
| V rapids through magnificent gorges and valleys at | | | | overlooking sweepi=¾...ªñ©Ò |
| Gauley River National Recreation Area; cap off a day | | | | %`& |
| on Alcatraz Island back at your hotel with a spa | | | | )Izßu¨&Â[S¸3,cS='Z*ž |
| treatment before hitting the streets of San Francisco; | | | | ºEäŒ |
| embrace history by tracing footprints at Antietam | | | | §Â-³¬5 kôe¡o]t |
| National Battlefield or watching oil droplets bubble to | | | | ‹DÂjMSÆé1^ |
| the surface of Pearl Harbor above the USS Arizona | | | | ú?Œ²Ôlebody"> |
| Memorial; shine a solitary beacon of light into the dark | | | | With 388 national park sites to choose from, picking a |
| depths of Kentucky's Mammoth Cave; snorkel off the | | | | park should be easy. At the tip of your travel tongue |
| coast of Padre Island National Seashore; experience a | | | | may be Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, but dig a |
| mystifying sense of neighborly warmth around the | | | | little deeper and you will find many surprises. America's |
| Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site; or conquer | | | | National Parks are more than just hiking trails into |
| the ice age by hiking along Glacier National. | | | | mountain valleys, campsites overlooking |
| Redefining "Crowds" | | | | sweepi=¾...ªñ©Ò %`& |
| Picking the park for you may depend on how well you | | | | )Izßu¨&Â[S¸3,cS='Z*ž |
| like crowds, according to travel agents. Some National | | | | ºEäŒ |
| Parks reel in millions of visitors a year, though a | | | | §Â-³¬5 kôe¡o]t |
| crowded park is not like a crowded bus. There is | | | | ‹DÂjMSÆé1^ |
| plenty of room for everyone, and even the most | | | | ú?ÂŒÂ²Ô the Great Smokey |
| crowded parks, likecript type="text/javascript" src=" | | | | Mountains in Tennessee, have plenty of areas where |
| With 388 national park sites to choose from, picking a | | | | your footprints will be the first ones of the day. |
| park should be easy. At the tip of your travel tongue | | | | Most Visited National Parks - 2007 |
| may be Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, but dig a | | | | 1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
| little deeper and you will find many surprises. America's | | | | 2. Grand Canyon National Park |
| National Parks are more than just hiking trails into | | | | 3. Yosemite National Park |
| mountain valleys, campsites overlooking | | | | 4. Olympic National Park |
| sweepi=¾...ªñ©Ò %`& | | | | 5. Rocky Mountain Naional Park |
| )Izßu¨&Â[S¸3,cS='Z*ž | | | | 6. Yellowstone National Park |
| ºEäŒ | | | | 7. Cuyahoga Valley National Park |
| §Â-³¬5 kôe¡o]t | | | | 8. Zion National Park |
| ‹DÂjMSÆé1^ | | | | 9. Acadia National Park |
| ú?Œ²Ôlebody"> | | | | 10. Grand Teton National Park |
| With 388 national park sites to choose from, picking a | | | | Source: Based on data from the National Park Service |
| park should be easy. At the tip of your travel tongue | | | | Visitors may flock to the parks on the list above, but |
| may be Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, but dig a | | | | the good news is that others are relatively free of |
| little deeper and you will find many surprises. America's | | | | crowds, leaving more room for solitary adventure, quiet |
| National Parks are more than just hiking trails into | | | | family outings and undisturbed wildlife. Here are a few |
| mountain valleys, campsites overlooking | | | | possibilities for your next escape. |
| sweepi=¾...ªñ©Ò %`& | | | | Nez Perce National Historical Park (Idaho, Oregon, |
| )Izßu¨&Â[S¸3,cS='Z*ž | | | | Washington and Montana) These 38 sites in the |
| ºEäŒ | | | | valleys, prairies, mountains and plateaus of the inland |
| §Â-³¬5 kôe¡o]t | | | | northwest honor td news is that others are |
| ‹DÂjMSÆé1^ | | | | relatively free of crowds, leaving more room for |
| ú?ÂŒÂ²Ô the Great Smokey | | | | solitary adventure, quiet family outings and undisturbed |
| Mountains in Tennessee, have plenty of areas where | | | | wildlife. Here are a few possibilities for your next |
| your footprints will be the first ones of the day. | | | | escape. |
| Most Visited National Parks - 2007 | | | | Nez Perce National Historical Park (Idaho, Oregon, |
| 1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park | | | | Washington and Montana) These 38 sites in the |
| 2. Grand Canyon National Park | | | | valleys, prairies, mountains and plateaus of the inland |
| 3. Yosemite National Park | | | | northwest honor t. |
| 4. Olympic National Park | | | | - Save on park fees by getting a pass. A National |
| 5. Rocky Mountain Naional Park | | | | Park Pass costs $50 and is good at all parks for one |
| 6. Yellowstone National Park | | | | year. This will allow you to pass through the entrance |
| 7. Cuyahoga Valley National Park | | | | gates more quickly and motivate you to visit more |
| 8. Zion National Park | | | | parks throughout the year. |
| 9. Acadia National Park | | | | 388 Ways to Say, "Wow" |
| 10. Grand Teton National Park | | | | The United States goes to great lengths to preserve |
| Source: Based on data from the National Park Service | | | | the best of its natural and manmade heritage. With |
| Visitors may flock to the parks on the list above, but | | | | 388 National Parks to choose from, millions of |
| the good news is that others are relatively free of | | | | Americans enjoy this privilege, while millions more are |
| crowds, leaving more room for solitary adventure, quiet | | | | welcomed to explore. |
| family outings and undisturbed wildlife. Here are a few | | | | Travel agents can help you choose which park to visit, |
| possibilities for your next escape. | | | | where to stay, and what you can do when you get |
| Nez Perce National Historical Park (Idaho, Oregon, | | | | there. And since most parks are unfortunately not in |
| Washington and Montana) These 38 sites in the | | | | your neighborhood, travel agents can get you there |
| valleys, prairies, mountains and plateaus of the inland | | | | with little cost and littler worries. |
| northwest honor t crowds of wolves, otters and | | | | |