US Parks & Landmarks

North Rim is the best - approaching you see nothing - get to the lodge and the sudden view of it is breathtaking

You must visit all four sides the of the Grand Canyon, south most popular best view, east you will find a beach and the west you will find yourself on top the Grand Canyon viewing down from glass bottom

We rode the mules down to Phantom Ranch stayed in a cabin and rode back up the next day !!! One of the greatest times of my life !!!

Ride the train into the park, stay the night inside the park, get up the next morning and be on one of the points when the sun comes up.

My favorite place - happy I went there before it was so crowded or restricted...

Beautiful place, but was SO disappointed when we were there if fall, Yosemite Falls was actually dried up! Go when the snow melts! Beauty everywhere, despite the falls.

The valley floor is just the gateway to wonderment! Get out and explore the wilderness

A crown jewel! Yosemite is amazing and yes, if you go during the summer and on a weekend it will be crowded but still amazing and breathtaking. This is a place everyone should visit. Aim for may-early July when the waterfalls are flowing heaviest. Once you see the valley don't be afraid to escape the other first timers and hit some trails. Hikes for all types. A true must see. Worth the detour if necessary.

Ferry is ok, no need to climb up the stairs

Our family went in 2000. My son had a walking cast on his leg, but still was able to climb to the top with us - a memory for a lifetime.

If you do not want to go to the Island, take the Staten Island Ferry for a fantastic view. It's also a great view to go at night.

A must see but kind of disappointing. 22 stories up spiral staircases to get a view of New Jersey. Ellis Island is a must though. Fun and interesting. If you had family come through there you can track them down.

Check the local tourist magazines. There is a small boat operator that takes parties of 6 right up to where the lava hits the water. It was amazing to see the lava explode and feel the heat up close!

The best way to see the park is to go to the visitor canter...a fantastic museum and information center. Once there ask the park rangers for their opinion of what to do based on what is happening then. They conduct daily walks and naturalist programs..all free which are outstanding...

First time I was at a volcanoe. Landscape reminds you of another planet

The National Park service is an invaluable resource at Gettysburg. Go to the Visitor's Center the first day your are there and visit the Electric Map. It will help give you an idea of the scope of the battles.

It's my second home!

Wonderful park for spotting wildlife!

Truly a beautiful place spent 5 days there !!

This is one amazing place! What is going on under your feet at all times? Water bubbling, and spewing, mudpots boiling, A stay at Old Faithful Inn is a must! Lots of buffalo and elk. Go, if you can!

YELLOWSTONE! Have been there more times I can count on my fingers. LOVE it! Sort of scary to think this is a place where the earth is still forming... Will go there again and again... go there everytime we get visitors from overseas.

This was a fun place to visit with my children. We hiked around it and climbed on the rocks. The highlight for our boys was finding a dead deer and couldn't wait to tell the park ranger so it could be removed. The junior ranger program was fun too. Learning about this monument was fun!

Wonderful hiking trails and amazing views

Wrecked my car on the way to see this and never quite made it!

Loved this place - birdwatching at its peak!

Went with a friend and her family in late 60's would love to go back someday !!

Took an airboat ride through. Awesome place!

Brief visit there... made me realize that Florida is not all about Disney World!

Breathtaking!

This was our first camping trip once we moved to Oregon. I couldn't stop looking at the turquoise water. Our camper didn't fair very well with the rain, but we loved the scenery, the hikes and the animal life.

We just returned from cruising to several locations in Alaska including Glacier Bay which was absolutely the highlight of the cruise. The views were breathtaking. As we left the bay, we saw Orca whales jumping in the water. The day was cold and a bit drizzly which gave the whole a bay a misty quality. We truly felt we had entered into a magical kingdom.

I've been to Alaska and Glacier Bay twice. I feel very fortunate because for most people Alaska is a once in a lifetime trip. This site is absolutely, 100%, breathtakingly Beautiful!

Were at Dante's View... SO amazing. Made me think of how must have been when the earth were young...

I spent a day at Death Valley. Definitely not enough time to see all I wanted to see. It is truly an amazing place to visit. I will definitely visit again.

Excellent park Artists drive is a must do! Stayed at Stovepipe wells in the park. Great place

Death Valley is very underrated as a National Park. I didn't know Death Valley would be so beautiful. I think the name itself intimidates people. Death Valley is at its most gorgeous at sunrise and sunset, so when you plan your trip remember to schedule outings around those times. If you only see the sights in the light of the midday sun, you will miss a lot of what is spectacular in the scenery. Also, you will do a LOT of driving in this park...the various hikes and sights are quite a distance from each other, with no real shuttle system to speak of, so try to group your outings by location to save on driving time, and make sure to enter the park with a full tank of gas.

Been here twice. Love this place. Beautiful.

Maine... so, so LOVELY!

See Egg Rock Light, (Acadia Loop Road, south of Bar Harbor.). This 1875 lighthouse is located on a barren ledge in the middle of Frenchman Bay, east of Mount Desert Island. It can be viewed from the Acadia NP Loop Road.

Beautiful at sunset!

Arches are what you will see. Each one different than the other. The hike to Delicate Arch is not easy, but SO SO worth it!

Just so, so amazing! There's something spiritual about the red rock formations. LOVE going there. Have been there so many times.

This has to one of the most beautiful places on earth. Terrific hikes of many different lengths.

I did this hike and went a couple miles up the river and it was THE highlight of our trip. If you decide to do this hike make sure to rent equipment (water boots and hiking sticks). It will be a much more enjoyable experience. We rented equipment and hiked much further than others who didn't. It is a nice hike to do in the middle of the day or when you need to cool off because you are in the shade and in the water! The hike is great for all experiences of hikers.

When to Go - Mid-June to mid-September. The water is cold the rest of the year but the canyon can be hiked in a wetsuit. The Narrows is closed when the river gauge reads above 140 cfs Permits are not issued from the top down when the gauge reads above 120 cfs So during the spring it is usually closed when the snow is melting and there is sustained high - cold water due to run-off.

Permits required: Hikers are allowed to hike a few miles up the Narrows from the Riverside Walk and return without obtaining a permit. A permit is required to hike from Chamberlain's Ranch to Zion Canyon. There are a total of 80 permits allotted per day. 40 hikers are permitted through the online reservation system and 40 hikers are permitted as walk-in. Although you can get a permit the same day you are hiking, you will have better luck obtaining one of the few issued permits if you get your walk-in permit the day prior to the actual day of the hike. For more information call the backcountry desk at 1.435.772.0170 or log onto the parks website and use their online permit system.

What to bring: Hiking sticks. Don't just bring one pole. Having two will help when walking on the rocks in the river. Dry bag. You are walking a majority of the time in the river and can slip and get wet. Sturdy Water Shoes and neoprene socks Emergency overnight gear if your trying to do it in one day Plenty of water (or water treatment)

This particular monument is not compelling enough to make a special trip to visit. There are other hikes you can make in the area, so if you go primarily for the hikes then the trip may be worthwhile.

The road to Devil's Postpile is closed in the winter.

In the park Lodging options The only lodging available in the park is found in our campgrounds and Wilderness Cabins. The Kīpahulu Area has a drive-up campground available, while the Summit Area has a drive-up campground and is your access point to the trails leading to our Wilderness campgrounds and Wilderness cabins. Kula provides the closest hotels and bed-and-breakfast lodging to the Summit Area. The nearest to the Kīpahulu Area is in the Hāna area. Please contact the Maui Visitor Bureau for more information on the lodging available outside of Haleakalā National Park.

We drove up to Haleakala to see the sunrise and can easily say that it was the best thing we did on Maui. It is so beautiful and amazing to see the world awaken

It's a long day getting to Haleakala but worth it. I've hiked into the crater and done the bike ride down to the beach - both well worth it.

Never been there. Would love to go. How's access for someone like me, with bad knees. Lot's of walking?

The park is open all year except December 25.

On of my favorite caves in the park system

One of the most beautiful places on this great earth !!!

Heading there in April. Any tips on the tour guides?

Best time of year is in the spring, do your research on the tour guide. Lower canyon is less crowded.

Another one a must see in my lifetime.

This area is hiked by permit only through the BLM

Special permit are required to hike to The Wave (just ten are issued for each day). Permits ($5 per person) can be obtained in advance (http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/arolrsmain/paria/coyote_buttes/permits.html)

Went there once, would like to go again and spend some time. Trees, especially Redwoods... are so peaceful and inspring.

Loved squeezing my arms around the beautiful trees!

Massive redwood trees are amazing to see

Any time you have a chance to stand in a redwood grove and feel the peace and silence washing over you like a healing balm, you need to do it! Crescent City has great redwood groves and is well worth the visit!

A wonderful place for the family.

I was in awe. We took a picture with our kids in the same place where my husband took a pix with his family when he was their age. We had fun driving our car through the mountains and stopped to let our kids see wolves up close. Beautiful area!

Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills is a wonderful place to take a family vacation! Be sure to take in the lighting ceremony at Rushmore, which is done every night of the week.

Plan to stay for the evening program. Its really dramatic.

A must on any trip to Kauai, though muddy, rocky, and somewhat strenuous. Kauai holds such unparalleled beauty. You see it on this trail especially. Advice: Get there early, before the trail gets crowded so you can go at your own pace. If you do get there early, watch out for the crazy looking spiders that make their web on the trail.

This National Park is the closest to me, so have been there many times. I always see something new, and never tire of its beauty. Of course, fall is when it is in all its glory.

So lovely! While there I could hear the old folk song... in my head! Was sort of sad in a way.

you can get your nature fix here and then roll out to the wineries and bed and breakfasts then head back to the city all in one day

lots of deer and even bear!

This place is in an "out of the way" location, but well worth the drive. The scenery is out of this world, just like being in a western movie

Its amazing to watch the power of the ocean!

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area includes everything from tide pools at the edge of the ocean to a dramatic cleft in the rocks where the waves come crashing in. There are over 20 miles of hiking trails here. But you don't have to be a hiker to enjoy this place - much of it can be seen with short easy walks on level paved surfaces.

That looks amazing - really want to go.

We have been to the Pictured Rocks before and done the boat ride which is great. But this trip was just past season and we still enjoyed all the beautiful hike to the gorgeous waterfalls around the area. Worth a visit when the leaves are changing.

If you are on your way to Carslad Caverns via Las Cruces, you must stop and see White Sands. It is just an amazing place. The sand is as white as snow, and it goes on for miles and miles

I can't describe just how beautiful the red rocks & all of Sedona is !!!

this is my favorite spot so far out of all my travels...especially right here (Schnebly Hill Rd and the cow pies

Best places to see incredible red rock mountain formations that can change with the sun light along the red rock trails. Good for the body, mind and soul you just don’t want to leave this special place when you’re done with your trail walk. All of Sedona is nice to see.

There are some really nice hikes around this park. Definitely try the hike up Cathedral Rock. It's not that long but very steep (hard if you don't like heights).