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Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave, located in Kentucky, is the world's longest known cave, with more than 390 miles of connected passages. Even if the second and third longest caves in the world were joined together, Mammoth would still be more than 100 miles longer. It is one of the oldest tourist attractions in the country. Your exploration of the cave will take you to places unlike anything you have ever seen. Most of the park's facilities are available free of charge. Fees are charged for cave tours and camping. There are more than a dozen cave tours ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous. Cave tours range from 1/4 mile to over 5 miles. There are specialized tours to meet everyone's interests. There is a photo tour and a tour just for children ages 8-12. On this tour, hard hats, knee pads, coveralls and headlamps are provided so they can hike, crawl and belly slide through rarely visited passages. There are also tours for older children and adults that offer some of the same experiences but on a more strenuous scale. Some of the tours show the history of early mining in the caves, the history and role of the cave during the War of 1812, an underground hospital and an underground river.

Above the cave, there are several ways to enjoy the park. Over 30 miles of the Green and Nolin Rivers flow through the park and offer many recreational opportunities. Fishing is good throughout the year with almost 100 species of fish including bass, bluegill and catfish. There is no designated swimming areas in the park because of the swift water and no lifeguards on duty. There are 2 ferries that cross the 200 foot wide Green River or enjoy taking a canoe down the river. There are 3 developed campgrounds and more than a dozen primitive sites along the rivers. There are many hiking trails available ranging from less than 1/4 mile to 8 miles. In addition to hiking trails, there are 60 miles of trails open for horseback riding.

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Mammoth Cave National Park

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Since the new eruption at the Pu’u ‘O’o vent on August 3, 2011, there is even more to see at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Lava from this vent has reached the ocean within the park boundaries for the first time since 2009. This national park covers over 300,000 acres of diverse and changing environments. You will find alpine landscapes, rain forest, desert, active volcanoes and rugged coastline. The park highlights two of the world's most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, and gives insights into the birth of the Hawaiian Islands.

The park is open 24 hours a day, year round. The Kilauea Visitor Center is open from 7:45 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Because of the dynamic nature of the two active volcanoes in the park, conditions can change rapidly. Lava flow is always changing. Check at the Kilauea Visitor Center for the most current information. The fee to enter the park is $10 and is good for 7 days. The Kilauea Visitor Center should be your first stop. It features exhibits, a movie and a bookstore. The Jaggar Museum is a museum on volcanology. The overlook offers spectacular views into the summit caldera.

The park can be explored by car in just a few hours or you can spend several days exploring it. If you have only one to three hours, explore the summit of Kilauea volcano via Crater Rim Drive; an 11-mile road that encircles the summit caldera, passes through desert, lush tropical rain forest, traverses the caldera floor, and provides access to well-marked scenic stops and short walks. With over 150 miles of trails in the park, there are many opportunities to explore the park on foot. There are day hikes as well as wilderness hikes. Obtain trail information, maps and permits at the Visitor’s Center. The park has 2 drive-in campgrounds that allow you to camp free of charge. There are no safe beaches or swimming areas within the park.

Weather on the island is unpredictable. Visitors should be prepared for rain and dress in layers. Weather at Kilauea’s summit may be 10-15 degrees cooler than at sea level. December through March typically receive the most rainfall but it may rain any time of the year. Visitors should wear sturdy close-toed shoes and long pants if planning to walk or hike on the lava because falling on lava is like falling on broken glass.

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Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Gulf Islands National Seashore is a park rich in natural resources. There are sparkling blue waters, magnificent white beaches, coastal marshes, and winding nature trails. It is America’s largest national seashore and is located in Mississippi and Florida. The two districts are about a two-hour drive apart. Although Gulf Islands National Seashore is 80% underwater, the islands and mainland sites attract millions of visitors each year. In Florida all areas are accessible by car, and in Mississippi, only the Davis Bayou Area is accessible by car. The passenger ferry to West Ship Island, MS operates spring through fall and leaves from the Gulfport Yacht Harbor. All areas of the Florida District are open year-round unless posted. Operating hours vary seasonally and from unit to unit. The park operates four visitor centers in both states.

Whether you visit for a day or a week, there are many activities to choose from and many places to explore. Activities include bicycling, snorkeling, fishing, beach combing, and wildlife watching. Both districts offer developed campgrounds as well as primitive camping. There are miles of shoreline and opportunities to swim but it is best to swim at beaches with lifeguards or designated swim beaches. The Santa Rosa Sound shoreline is popular for people with small children who want to avoid the rough surf at the beach. The Okaloosa Day Use Area is a quiet water area that features white sandy beaches, calm waters, picnic tables, a boat launch, parking, and public restrooms with outdoor showers. There are also a variety of ranger-led tours to visit historic forts, hike through dune and salt marsh habitats or walk along the barrier islands. The forts of Gulf Islands National Seashore span almost 150 years, from the Spanish colonial time period in the late 1700’s to the World War Two-era. All of the forts saw action during the Civil War and will be part of the National Park service commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

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Gulf Islands National Seashore

Channel Islands National Park

Close to the California mainland, yet worlds apart, Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their surrounding one mile of ocean. Each of the islands is a fascinating world unto itself. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archeological resources found nowhere else on Earth. The Channel Islands are often called the "North American Galapagos" because they are home to over 150 endemic or unique species. There are wonderful places to hike, camp, snorkel, kayak, birdwatch, take photographs, sketch, or just relax to the soothing sounds of the natural world.

The mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are readily accessible by car or public transportation, but the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats and planes or private boat. Transportation to the islands is available year-round. There is no transportation available on the islands. All areas must be accessed on foot or by private boat or kayak.

In general, the islands have a Mediterranean climate year-round. Temperatures average highs in the mid-60s (°F) and lows in the low-50s. Visitors to the islands must be prepared for high winds, fog, rough seas, and sea spray at any time. Visitors should be aware that ocean and weather conditions vary considerably from day-to-day and island-to-island.

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Channel Islands National Park

Dinosaur National Monument

Most visitors come to Dinosaur National Monument to see dinosaur fossils. After being closed for over 5 years, the world-famous Carnegie Dinosaur Quarry re-opened on October 4, 2011. Excavations were started here in 1909 and numerous fossil specimens found here are displayed in museums around the world. When the excavations ended, over 1500 fossils were left in place on the cliff face so visitors can view them as they were found. Fossils at Dinosaur National Monument represent only 10 of the many dinosaur species that existed.

First stop is the visitors center where you will find a twelve minute film, exhibits, and a bookstore. During the summer, you can only access the Quarry by shuttle bus. Weather can be a factor in your visit. Highs range from 30 degrees in the winter with some roads closed because of snow to 100 degrees in July. Check with the visitors center for road conditions. About 1000 years ago, the Fremont people lived in this area and left evidence of their lives in the form of petroglyphs and pictographs. Several areas in the monument allow visitors easy access to these designs and allow up-close viewing.

Besides viewing dinosaur fossils, hiking and river rafting are two of the most popular activities here. Biking, fishing, camping, horseback riding and scenic drives are also available activities.

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Dinosaur National Monument

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

What started as an idea to bring tourists to South Dakota turned into a monument that conveyed the meaning of America. A state historian originally wanted the sculpture to be a parade of Indian leaders and American explorers who shaped the frontier. Gutzon Borglum was asked to take on the project but he wanted the sculpture to be a monument that conveyed the meaning of America. He chose 4 U.S. Presidents: Washington represents the birth of the country, Jefferson represents the expansion of the country, Lincoln symbolizes the preservation of the country and Roosevelt represents the development of the country.

Work on the monument was begun in the Fall of 1927. 90% of the heads were carved by dynamite. Washington’s head was completed in less than 3 years. The head of Thomas Jefferson was originally started on the right side of Washington but after 18 months of work, it had to be blasted off the mountain and started on his left side. Each of the heads were completed and dedicated at different times. The monument took 14 years to complete. Once a year the park service staff repels over the side of the faces to inspect and caulk any cracks.

There is no entrance fee to Mount Rushmore but there is a parking fee. The park is open year round except for December 25. The weather in the area is highly variable and changes quickly so it is best to check weather conditions before going. There is no overnight camping in the park.

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Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde, located in southwestern Colorado, remains one of the most spectacular parks anywhere in the world. It was the first national park designed to preserve the works of man. It preserves more than 4,000 archeological sites which include 600 cliff dwellings. It offers a look into the lives of the ancestral Pueblo people who lived in the area from 600 A.D. to 1300 A.D.

The park is open year round, but some of the tours and access to sites are seasonal. Ranger guided tours are offered seasonally, and allow you to hike into some of the sites. Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling at Mesa Verde National Park. It has 150 rooms and an additional 75 open areas. This is one of the ranger guided tours and is available from April to November. Ninety percent of the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde contain 10 rooms or less. Tours can be strenuous so you should be in good physical condition.

There are also several self-guided tours including the Spruce Tree House which is the best preserved cliff dwelling and has over 100 rooms. This self-guided tour is only a half mile round trip walk. There is also a 6-mile driving tour that has 12 easily accessible sites. There is also a museum, a visitors center, lodge, restaurant, cafeteria and gift shop.

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Mesa Verde National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is located in parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho and is America's first national park. A large variety of wildlife lives in the park including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Yellowstone is open every day of the year. Summer activities include bicycling, boating, camping, backcountry hiking, day hikes, fishing, and horseback riding. Winter activities include cross country skiing, and snowmobile and snowcoach tours.

With half of the earth's geogthermal features, Yellowstone holds the planet's most diverse and intact collection of geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles. There are more geysers here than anywhere else on earth, with Old Faithful being the most famous. Steamboat, the largest geyser in the world, reaches heights of 300-400 feet.

Most of the park is above 7,500 feet so unpredictability more than anything else characterizes the weather. Bring a warm jacket and rain gear even in the summer. Summer temperatures are often in the 70's and may drop to below freezing at night in the higher elevations.

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Yellowstone National Park

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park has ocean beaches, rain forest valleys, and snow covered mountains. The park is open all year but some roads and park facilities are closed in the winter.

With over 900,000 acres, there are endless possibilities for recreation and relaxation. Backpacking, camping, fishing, walking along sandy beaches or an easy stroll through the rain forest are just some of the activities to choose from.

Olympic has a wide range of climate conditions. About twelve feet of rain falls each year on the west-facing valleys and only about 2 feet of rain falls on the east side of the mountains. Come prepared for a wide range of conditions regardless of when you visit. Rain gear is essential. July, August and September are the driest months.

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Olympic National Park

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2010. One of the most amazing highlights of visiting this park is the drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Although the park is open all year, generally all visitor facilities are open from late May to early September. The average visitor spends 3 to 4 days in the park. Some scientists predict that the glaciers may be gone by 2020.

There are over 700 miles of trails that lead to some of the most spectacular scenery around. Besides hiking and biking other activities include boating, camping, fishing, horseback rides and cross country skiing in the winter. It is an outdoor paradise. It is home to over 70 species of mammals and over 200 species of birds. The weather is diverse and can change rapidly. It can be as hot as 90 degrees in the afternoon and drop to freezing at night. Dress in layers and always be prepared for rain.

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Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park includes more than 800,000 acres in southwest Texas. It is located in one of the most sparsely populated areas of the country. It includes mountain, desert, and river environments. An hour’s drive can take you from the banks of the Rio Grande to a mountain basin nearly a mile high. Here, you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States. The wide range in altitude from 1800 feet to over 7000 feet contributes to diversity in plant and animal life.

Winters are normally mild but below freezing temperatures can occur. The diversity of Big Bend offers something for just about everyone. To really experience the park, you should get out on foot and enjoy some of the more than 200 miles of trails.

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Everglades National Park

This national park is the 3rd largest in the lower 48 states, covering 2500 square miles. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and proclaimed as one of the great biologic wonders of the world. Over 50 distinct kinds of reptiles can be found in the park. Over 360 species of birds have been recorded in the park. It boasts a lush growth of plant life, over 1,000 species of plants, from both the temperate North American climate and the tropical Caribbean climate.

Winter is the busy season and most facilities are open. It is mild and pleasant from December through April with temperatures averaging in the upper 70's. The diverse habitats allow for hiking, canoe and kayaking, biking, fresh and saltwater fishing, and camping.

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Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park was the first National Park east of the Mississippi River. The tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast is located here. The park is open all year but many of the facilities are closed in the winter.

You can enjoy this park on bike, foot or horse-drawn carriage tour. It has 125 miles of historic hiking trails through forests and up mountains. You could also take a ranger-narrated boat cruise to learn about sea life.

The summer temperatures average in the 70's so it is important to dress in layers. The Maine coast is ranked second in the U.S. for annual precipitation and fog is common in the summer.

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Acadia National Park

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