National parks

[Padukacat]

As much as I like to hike and see nature I’m sad to say I haven’t done many of these. I did joint a national parks Facebook group and seeing it makes me realize I need to start checking them off the list. Someone had pics of and talked about glacier park being amazing, it looked it. So where have you guys been on this list and what was your favorite? https://www.national-park.com/list-of-national-parks-in-the-united-states-2020/amp/

[Padukacat]

Somehow I’ve only been to Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Smokey mountains? I’ve not even been to mammoth cave…

[MickintheHam]

I have been to a lot of the National Parks, mostly out West. It is very hard to pick one or two. Grand Canyon is a must see, but it is overrun with tourists. It's likely I won't go back. I loved all the parks in Utah. We hiked to the bottom of Bryce Canyon and thoroughly enjoyed it. You start in the red rocks and hoodoos, and end in the oak trees and stream at the bottom. It was a three hour or so hike. Zion was nice for hiking. Watching sunset against the rock formations is absolutely breathtaking. Arches was a lot of fun. From a purely historical perspective Mesa Verde was a real sleeper. Our Guide there was a full blooded Ute and he had amazing insight into how the Anasazi lived. The ruins there have been restored and they did an excellent job. If you are a history buff it is enlightening.

In the East, Shenandoah is great for hiking. I love the Smokies, but the tourists and commercialism have just about ruined it for me.

Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier and Yosemite are next on my list of parks to visit.

Knowing your daughter is headed to Alabama for school there are several places to hike that are as nice as any National Park. Little River Canyon is the largest canyon east of the Mississippi. It has been recommended for National Park status several times. It is great for hiking. Also, Mount Cheaha is the highest point in Alabama and is great for hiking and exploring. It is surrounded by the Talledega National Forest. And a third place to hike is the Sipsey Wilderness in Northwest Alabama. It is in the Bankhead National Forest.

Just a personal observation, but National Forests seem to be better for hiking and exploring than the National Parks. National Parks are magnets for tourists. National Forests attract hikers.

[KSRBEvans]

There's a retired couple on YouTube who sold everything and travel the world full-time. Mrs. BEvans and I are considering doing the same (less the "selling everything" part--probably rent out our house).

They started by taking an Airstream and visiting all the national parks. Very inspiring:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMTIzrGVkaEHjRdqY7E2T5xpirprxdob7

[Darrell KSR]

I have been to a lot of the National Parks, mostly out West. It is very hard to pick one or two. Grand Canyon is a must see, but it is overrun with tourists. It's likely I won't go back. I loved all the parks in Utah. We hiked to the bottom of Bryce Canyon and thoroughly enjoyed it. You start in the red rocks and hoodoos, and end in the oak trees and stream at the bottom. It was a three hour or so hike. Zion was nice for hiking. Watching sunset against the rock formations is absolutely breathtaking. Arches was a lot of fun. From a purely historical perspective Mesa Verde was a real sleeper. Our Guide there was a full blooded Ute and he had amazing insight into how the Anasazi lived. The ruins there have been restored and they did an excellent job. If you are a history buff it is enlightening.

In the East, Shenandoah is great for hiking. I love the Smokies, but the tourists and commercialism have just about ruined it for me.

Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier and Yosemite are next on my list of parks to visit.

Knowing your daughter is headed to Alabama for school there are several places to hike that are as nice as any National Park. Little River Canyon is the largest canyon east of the Mississippi. It has been recommended for National Park status several times. It is great for hiking. Also, Mount Cheaha is the highest point in Alabama and is great for hiking and exploring. It is surrounded by the Talledega National Forest. And a third place to hike is the Sipsey Wilderness in Northwest Alabama. It is in the Bankhead National Forest.

Just a personal observation, but National Forests seem to be better for hiking and exploring than the National Parks. National Parks are magnets for tourists. National Forests attract hikers.

Second the suggestion on both Mount Cheaha and Little River Canyon. Even road trips around Little River Canyon can be nice. Little River Canyon has a half-marathon in October where you run through it and enjoy the views. Cheaha has both a hotel and cabins to rent, although they have to be rented well in advance. Haven't stayed in the hotel, but the cabins were great for our needs. You can hike down from the cabins to the lake, and then hike back up.

I would second the recommendation on Sipsey Wilderness too, but I've never done that. Mick is always dead on the money with his recommendations, so I'll have to try that soon.