Every year, people ask me the best times to go visit Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. But let’s not overlook other great parks our nation has to offer.
When someone says Yosemite, I tell them about the nearby Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This is where you’ll encounter five of the 10 largest trees in the world…including ones big enough to drive through.
And if Yosemite is on your list, do it in a different way. The Tin Lizzie Inn has old Model T’s so you can drive through the park in style.
The national parks of Utah are all worthwhile, but tucked in between are lesser-known state parks.
Dead Horse Point State Park is THE place to capture that iconic shot of the Colorado River among those incredible red rocks.
And I’m sorry, but if you have to go to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore, that’s your choice. But drive just about 40 miles south and you’ll find a really cool, unknown park: Wind Cave National Park.
You still get the Black Hills and herds of bison, and underground is one of the longest caves in the world.
Oh, and did I mention, all of these places are easy on the wallet?
For more information, visit the National Parks archives.
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