Photo credit:
https://www.nps.gov/history/history/hisnps/npshistory/teddy.htm
President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt is generally credited as our first, true conservationist. During his presidency, from 1901-1909, he spearheaded the creation of five national parks. Do you know (without googling) where they are? (I’ll tell you at the end of the post, but NO PEEKING!) He also signed the Antiquities Act in 1906, which allows presidents to declare historic landmarks and protect them from development. In his honor (he’s my son’s favorite president of all time), let’s take a walk through the Best National Parks in the Western U.S.!
A Yellowstone National Park Vacation in Wyoming
The world’s first national park, established in 1872, is home to a super volcano, geysers like Old Faithful, mud pits and the Yellowstone River Canyon. The vivid colors at Yellowstone seem almost unnatural, but the three million people who visit each year are drawn by the fantastical displays, not to mention great hiking, camping, boating and fishing.
A Grand Canyon National Park Vacation in Arizona
President Roosevelt granted federal protection to much of the Grand Canyon area in 1908. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and a mile deep and is classified as on of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The South Rim is popular with vacationers year-round, but the North Rim, which is more rugged, is often difficult to navigate in winter months. The deep colors, enhanced by the Canyon’s shadows, only makes it more beautiful. When visiting the Grand Canyon, consider doing some “off the beaten path” exploration to escape the crowds and really grasp its grandness.
A Yosemite National Park Vacation in California
Yosemite National Park offers spectacular mountain vistas, 1200 waterfalls, and the Mariposa Grove to its 3.6 million visitors each year. Half Dome is its most recognizable formation, but wannabe climbers should know that a permit is required to climb. The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias offers park guests the opportunity to hike through the grove and experience the 4,600 year old sequoias up close. The hike is long, but our daughter managed it at the age of six. (She’s amazing!)
My kids at Half Dome, 2010
The Mariposa Grove sequoias are indescribably huge!
Other National Park Vacations
The western United States is home to so many unique national parks, each offering a unique and incredible experience. If you’ve already visited Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, consider these beauties:
- The Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and float along the Snake River as you take in the quiet beauty of this rough mountain range.
- Bryce Canyon National Park might be best enjoyed on horseback to see the “hoodoos” up close.
- Mesa Verde National Park is the first national park created to “preserve the works of man.” This Park preserves more than 600 ancient cliff dwellings and 4500 archeological sites.
- And there are many, many more…
Which is your favorite? Why?
Now back to the five national parks established by President Roosevelt:
- Crater Lake in Oregon,
- Wind Cave in South Dakota,
- Sullys Hill in North Dakota which is now designated as a wild game preserve,
- Mesa Verde in Colorado, and
- Platt in Oklahoma which is now part of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
Did anyone get them all right? If so, you should write the next post about a vacation to a national park! 🙂
Dominique Goh says
It must have been really fun treking in a national park. Unfortunately we don’t have such places here in Singapore.
Karen Dawkins says
Dominique, Does Singapore have other preservation type areas? I’m not very familiar with Singapore. I’ve always been struck by its beauty in photos though.
jill says
National Parks are our fave place to visit! We’re so luck to live so close to Yosemite, one of our faves.
Karen Dawkins says
You are lucky! We live near the Smoky Mountains, which are beautiful, but in such a different way. When the rhododendrons bloom, it’s most beautiful here.
Mary {The World Is A Book} says
We love the National Parks! We’ve made it a point to visit a few in a year. My kids love doing the Junior Ranger programs and earning their badges. You’ve listed some of my favorites here and Mesa Verde is at the top of our list to see soon. I didn’t know any of the 5 parks Teddy established. My favorite has to be Yellowstone since it offer so much and the geysers are just fascinating.
Karen Dawkins says
We didn’t participate in the Junior Ranger programs, and I wish we had.
Kiera - Easy Travel Mom says
I’ve actually only been to the Grand Canyon but this post is too smart for me! I had no idea 😉 We are waiting until the kid(s) are a little older and then can’t wait to get out and explore our national parks! Great read.
Karen Dawkins says
I had no idea until I researched the history of our national parks. I’m a geeky travel writer! 🙂
Kristl Story says
I’m a Texas girl, so I’m partial to Big Bend! Ideal for families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the real world…even the daily newspaper is a day or two behind, and the stars really are big and bright! Don’t miss a rafting trip down the Rio Grande!
Karen Dawkins says
I’d love to raft down the Rio Grande! And the Colorado! 🙂
Rosey says
We are tentatively planning a Yosemite trip for this summer, it will be my first time in California if we do. 🙂
We just returned from our Spring Break vacation though, so planning may be a little tight for the trip (we live on the other side of the states), but we’ll see. 🙂
Karen Dawkins says
Yosemite is wonderful. One of the most exciting moments on our trip was getting to play in snow in July — in shorts! It was 85 degrees, but some snow still remained. FUN! I hope you get to go.