Originally Posted By friendofdd Even better is when you qualify for a senior pass. $10 for life. I have visited most every Nat'l Park in the west and love them all. I've an upcoming trip that will hit Grand Canyon, Monument Valley (A Navajo Park), Canyonlands, Arches, Rocky Mountain, Bryce and Zion. In winter, I enjoy Death Valley and Joshua Tree. My top three favorites? Yosemite Yellowstone Bryce
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh Last fall, my family traveled across the northern states in an RV, stopping at National Parks, Monuments, and Historical Sites along the way. Here's the thread I started before leaving to ask about parks, and in which I talked about the parks I visited. <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/default.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-65665-P-1&Refresh=0327092310" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/de fault.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-65665-P-1&Refresh=0327092310</a>
Originally Posted By SuzieQ That's the one my folks have, friendofdd! Hubby and I went to Grand Canyon for the first time last November. I wasn't that excited to go, but he wanted to see it. Wow - there is simply no way to describe how awe inspiring the Canyon is. It has to be seen in person. We can't wait to go back!
Originally Posted By Mrs 2oon Yosemite is absolutely breathtaking. I could just sit on a rock and watch the waterfalls all day long. It is the most beautiful place I have ever been.
Originally Posted By friendofdd >>>I could just sit on a rock and watch the waterfalls all day long.<<< On our visits to Yosemite, DW and I frequently carry a lunch to the upper end of Happy Isles, sit on a rock or log or blanket, dangle our feet in the eddies and generally enjoy a full afternoon there.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 You should have seen the look on some people's faces when they awoke in Camp Curry, walked outside and realized there was a HUGE mountain of slate behind them. Priceless!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I think I would have to say my top choice is Yosemite. It is very scenic and incredible. I have also visited the Grand Canyon and which is pretty incredible too althought I didn't get the chance to hike down into the canyon. I just stayed along the south rim. I have been to Denali National Park in Alaska, which was OK. Alaska its self is pretty DARN incredilbe! OK other US National Parks; Puerto Rico has several incredible National Parks; El Yungue Rainforest ( I guess that technically part of the US Forest Service ) is pretty incredible as well at the bioluminescent bays. <a href="http://www.biobay.com/" target="_blank">http://www.biobay.com/</a> Outside of the country I have enjoyed Fundy National Park which is in New Brunswick, Canada. Pretty incredible place. Its probably my favorite place in the world to camp. I visited Fundy in the fall while the leaves where changing, the salmon were swimming up stream and you wake up to see the tidal bore. The place is heaven on earth with covered bridges, fresh sea food and bakery goods. They claim that the "best kept secret park" is actually Baxter State Park in Maine ( I only share these Top Secret locations with my friends ). Baxter State Park is an extrememly unusual place as it has a U shaped mountain with a lake in it completely surrounded by a lake. It looks like a volcano but its not. Its primitative with dirt roads. But lots of hiking, canoeing, boating you name it! I have never been to Baxter State Park but many of my relatives in Vermont spend their 4th of July week camping there and say its incredible!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ <<You should have seen the look on some people's faces when they awoke in Camp Curry, walked outside and realized there was a HUGE mountain of slate behind them. Priceless!>> That was hysterical! We told them it was a granite wall and not clouds. They didn't believe us. Wish I'd had the video camera rolling when their jaws dropped the next morning.
Originally Posted By mrichmondj For what it's worth, there is a great place to stay in Volcanoes National Park for armed forces members and their families. It's called Kilauea Military Camp, and it consists of a bunch of 2 and 3 bedroom cabins perched on the edge of the Kilauea crater. It's pretty ominous to wake up in the morning and see the steam rising right out of the ground around the crater. There are some great trails through the Kilauea crater and also up on Mauna Loa.
