Which national park should I visit
- Thread starter kaz109
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We're here now, it's great!
Excellent - what part? I live about halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Just a few min away from Dollywood, whick were going to try and take the kids tomorrow if the rain holds off
You picked perfect time of the year for Dollywood. Less crowds and near perfect weather for everything except water rides. If you have a chance, go to Gatlinburg and eat at The Peddler restaurant. A little $$ but absolutely the best food.
I visited Yellowstone and Zion on a trip with my parents years back. Both parks are amazingly beautiful and it is hard to choose between the two. I got to explore Yellowstone more than I did Zion, but from what I saw, Zion had a lot of really cool trails to explore with some being a bit more challenging. Driving into Zion is like passing through a portal into a whole new biome. It goes from desert sandstone outside and then you pass through a tunnel and all the sudden you're driving along a huge wooded and lush valley with tall rock structures surrounding the entire area.
Yellowstone is massive and would probably be easier to fill your time while getting to see the most. Everything that's popular to visit and see is relatively close to each other so you can walk or drive to each area and it doesn't take long. It's definitely worthwhile to head over to Jackson and Jackson Hole to visit and have a meal.
Visiting the Utah parks is definitely a worthwhile trip in its own however. I plan to go back and visit Zion, Canyon Lands and Arches, and Bryce Canyon again some day and spend more time on the trails. Utah and Wyoming were my two favorite states to visit on that trip.
Yellowstone is massive and would probably be easier to fill your time while getting to see the most. Everything that's popular to visit and see is relatively close to each other so you can walk or drive to each area and it doesn't take long. It's definitely worthwhile to head over to Jackson and Jackson Hole to visit and have a meal.
Visiting the Utah parks is definitely a worthwhile trip in its own however. I plan to go back and visit Zion, Canyon Lands and Arches, and Bryce Canyon again some day and spend more time on the trails. Utah and Wyoming were my two favorite states to visit on that trip.
Minimum caliber?
I carried 10mm when I hiked the Tetons. You are likely to see bear and elk. Mama elk are with calves and can be grumpy.
Go all-in
www.nps.gov
Isle Royale National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Explore a rugged, isolated island far from our connected communities. Isle Royale offers adventures for backpackers, hikers, boaters, paddlers, and divers. Cross Lake Superior and make a commitment: Become a part of this island, and let it become a part of you. Find peace and refuge in island...
Having been to both Zion and Bryce Canyon (did them back to back along with the North Rim of the Grand Canyon), I can say Bryce hands down would be my pick out of the three. If I could only revisit one, I would go back to Bryce Canyon. A couple of reasons why:
1) parking and driveability in Zion is terrible. You can't drive around, and are limited to the buses and what you can physically carry on your back. It also felt crowded. Everyone trying to go to the easiest more popular trials at the same time. Riding the bus sucks. Who wants to be sitting next to sweaty strangers and greasy pot smoking hippies (big problem here), with your family trying to enjoy yourselves? The other major issue with the bus is, you need to be out of the park by 7pm/last shuttle time! Total BS! I'd like to stick around for a good sunset. If the last shuttle is full, you're ****ed! You will have to walk, possibly up to 9 miles, back to the parking lot.
Bryce is the total opposite. The main park road is 20 miles long, and is so scenic. You can stop as you wish, and all of your gear (cameras, food, water, etc) is in your car. Public bathrooms everywhere with running water, and showers. Plus you have access to your own private car, with AC, no bus issues. Bryce is "open" 24/7/365. No limits on when you can have your fun.
2) In Bryce, you are "on top". Every place you stop has a view to the valley and horizon. This is very convenient. The highest in the park, Rainbow Point with all the colorful formations below, is on this road sitting at almost 10k feet! You can park and WALK to this vista.
Zion, you are in the valley looking up. To get any view you must hike up to get it. Hiking up takes time, and not to many trails are easy.
3) As impressive as Zion's cliff walls and vertical mountain faces are, they do not compare to the "hoodoo" formations of Bryce. Not even close.
4) Accessibility: Bryce is a park that offers huge bang for the buck hiking wise. Walking and hiking there is like walking on a wavy smooth sidewalk. The trails there get you right into the heart of all the main attractions, with ease. The chutes and valleys you walk through are incredible. Check out one section called "Wall Street". These hikes are very safe.
Zion, you will be lucky to do two trails a day. Between the bus rides, having to carry all your gear, the sheer steepness of the trails, the heat, it's a real PITA to get anything accomplished unless you are a die hard hiker willing to pack all the supplies you need.
If you are into astronomy book your trip around one of Bryce's astronomy nights. Known for its famous dark skies, the park and 100s of amateurs set up telescopes in the parking lot. You can politely look through people's telescopes and see a lot of interesting objects. These are hardcore enthusiasts and the cost and size of some of these telescopes are impressive! I saw the Milky Way with my naked eye for the first time here! Definitely visit Bryce.
Here is a picture (not mine) from Wall Street and Rainbow Point. I did both, as well as many other trails.
1) parking and driveability in Zion is terrible. You can't drive around, and are limited to the buses and what you can physically carry on your back. It also felt crowded. Everyone trying to go to the easiest more popular trials at the same time. Riding the bus sucks. Who wants to be sitting next to sweaty strangers and greasy pot smoking hippies (big problem here), with your family trying to enjoy yourselves? The other major issue with the bus is, you need to be out of the park by 7pm/last shuttle time! Total BS! I'd like to stick around for a good sunset. If the last shuttle is full, you're ****ed! You will have to walk, possibly up to 9 miles, back to the parking lot.
Bryce is the total opposite. The main park road is 20 miles long, and is so scenic. You can stop as you wish, and all of your gear (cameras, food, water, etc) is in your car. Public bathrooms everywhere with running water, and showers. Plus you have access to your own private car, with AC, no bus issues. Bryce is "open" 24/7/365. No limits on when you can have your fun.
2) In Bryce, you are "on top". Every place you stop has a view to the valley and horizon. This is very convenient. The highest in the park, Rainbow Point with all the colorful formations below, is on this road sitting at almost 10k feet! You can park and WALK to this vista.
Zion, you are in the valley looking up. To get any view you must hike up to get it. Hiking up takes time, and not to many trails are easy.
3) As impressive as Zion's cliff walls and vertical mountain faces are, they do not compare to the "hoodoo" formations of Bryce. Not even close.
4) Accessibility: Bryce is a park that offers huge bang for the buck hiking wise. Walking and hiking there is like walking on a wavy smooth sidewalk. The trails there get you right into the heart of all the main attractions, with ease. The chutes and valleys you walk through are incredible. Check out one section called "Wall Street". These hikes are very safe.
Zion, you will be lucky to do two trails a day. Between the bus rides, having to carry all your gear, the sheer steepness of the trails, the heat, it's a real PITA to get anything accomplished unless you are a die hard hiker willing to pack all the supplies you need.
If you are into astronomy book your trip around one of Bryce's astronomy nights. Known for its famous dark skies, the park and 100s of amateurs set up telescopes in the parking lot. You can politely look through people's telescopes and see a lot of interesting objects. These are hardcore enthusiasts and the cost and size of some of these telescopes are impressive! I saw the Milky Way with my naked eye for the first time here! Definitely visit Bryce.
Here is a picture (not mine) from Wall Street and Rainbow Point. I did both, as well as many other trails.
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Got to do Yosemite during covid got some cool shots with just the nature in the background. Yosemite is one of the reason the national parks were created as far as I am aware. I plan to take the cobra there when I get it back on the road. The upper sections of the park were however closed at that time so we only got to see the valley for the most part. Unfortunately I can’t post the raw photos here as they are 4k and very large data wise.
This thread certainly gives you a number of excellent park options. You really can't lose no matter which one you choose. Also gives you future options for other locations.
Yes. Something like the Gold Rush brought tons of people into CA, someone was the first "European" to visit Yosemite area, thought it was amazing, told others, tourism began, some state senators got word and got Abraham Lincoln to sign an act, preserving the land for future generations, a first of its type, but it was only a state park. 10-20 years or so later, John Muir loved the area, and with the Sierra Club, pushed for making it a National Park, John Muir took Teddy Roosevelt on a camping trip, he loved the place and Teddy made is a National Park.
I could be a little off, but I overall remember it being Lincoln - Muir - Teddy - National Park. I was just there like 6 months ago, my third trip. Such an amazing place.
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Meh, been going there for over 30 years. While still good, the price they charge isn’t worth it anymore. Rather hit The Old Mill and get country fried steak.
When my wife and I visited Tennessee we went right by Dollywood. She asked me if I wanted to stop there.
“Nah, **** it. I don’t even like her music so no, do you?”
She said no. It felt like there were other better ways to spend our time. So we went up to this mountain where they had all these attractions and a boardwalk and hung out there. Had live music and a ski lift to get up there and back down. Had a great time.
Lots of people said we should have went there but someday I can go back and visit. Doubt I ever will though.
“Nah, **** it. I don’t even like her music so no, do you?”
She said no. It felt like there were other better ways to spend our time. So we went up to this mountain where they had all these attractions and a boardwalk and hung out there. Had live music and a ski lift to get up there and back down. Had a great time.
Lots of people said we should have went there but someday I can go back and visit. Doubt I ever will though.
Its been proven spray is more effective. There really isnt a pistol available thats small enough to carry comfortably and yet has enough power to stop a charging grizzly. Unless he's the type of guy that wants to carry a ruger .480 or s&w mag .500 on vacation lol
Lol.
Bear spray doesnt even stop people half the time. 10mm or 44 hard cast will stop bear no problem. Which is why Greenlands Sirius sled dog patrol carries glock 20s for POLAR bear defense. Sirius Dog Sled Patrol - Wikipedia
There are lots and lots of B&C bear, moose and elk taken with 30-30 which is on par with a hot 44. The B&C record grizzly was taken with a 30 30.
PS I have shot several bear.....
Here is a 10mm chopping a moose down like a tree. iTs bEeN pRoVen.....
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Angry Moose Fatal shoot
http://www.ktmsklep.pl www.facebook.com/enduro.krzeszowicehrvmm/www.instagram.com/enduro_krzeszowice/snapchat: enduroex www.enduroX.plNew Yamaha https://yout...
youtu.be
Shit Klaus. You don’t need no ****in guns. Just reason with the Bear like a liberal would.
You sound vaxxed.
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