Entries Tagged "national parks vacation"

Saturday, February 20, 2010

The United States is filled with so many beautiful National parks that come to life in the spring. You can enjoy the beauty of the national park along with the beauty of spring wildflowers in these parks:

Arches - Moab, UT - Features over 2,000 natural sandstone arches as well as many other unusual rock formations. Weather has exposed millions of years of geologic history in a landscape of contrasting colors and textures. Desert annuals like grasses and wildflowers are adapted to the arid environment and can be seen here in April and May.

Great Smoky Mountains - Gatlinburg, TN - well known for its mist-shrouded ridges of forest which straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a world-renowned preserve of wildflower diversity including over 1,660 varieties. It is sometimes referred to as the “Wildflower National Park.”

Yellowstone - Yellowstone, WY - Famous for Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, along with the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This park was established in 1872, and is America's first national park. In the spring you may see Wild Strawberries, Glacier Lilies and Bluebells among many other wildflowers.

Yosemite - Yosemite, CA - is best known for its stunning waterfalls and Half Dome. The best time to visit is late May and early June, when mountain snowmelt and waterfalls are at their peak. In Yosemite Valley & Wawona: you will find flowering dogwood and California Poppies beginning in May. More Wildflowers begin in early June such as Sierra Onion, Lupine, MariposaLlily, and Pentstemon.

Zion - Springdale, UT - Includes towering cliffs and small narrow canyons in unique sandstone ranging in color from cream, to pink, to red. They could be described as sand castles crowning desert canyons. With elevations ranging from 3,600 to 8,700 feet, Zion National Park has a diversity of plant communities, supporting more than 900 species of plants. In the early spring, many plants take advantage of the seasonal rains, to flower such as the Desert Marigold or Slickrock Paintbrush.

Monday, February 01, 2010

In February, PBS is airing a documentary by Ken Burn's called "America's Best Idea: The National Parks."  In celebration, the National Parks Foundation and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations are giving away a free trip to one of America's most popular national parks.

Participating is easy – just share with the world one, or all, of your favorite spots in America's national parks.  Anytime during the month of February, visit http://thisisyourland.nationalparks.org to explore America's 392 national parks online, and then mark your spot by sharing your favorite moments, stories and experiences.  Individuals that add their spot to at least one park will be entered to win a three night trip for two, including lodging and airfare, to their choice of the following destinations located in, or within close proximity to, some of America's most beloved parks:

• Shenandoah National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
• Denali National Park
• Glacier Bay National Park
• Yellowstone National Park & Grand Teton National Park
• Olympic National Park

The grand prize winner will also receive a $300 resort credit to use towards meals and/or activities (cannot be used towards lodging, retail, fuel, or any non-ARAMARK managed operations), and an official  "America's Best Idea" book signed by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan.  In addition, twenty runner-up winners will receive an "America's Best Idea" poster signed by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, and a limited edition National Park Foundation "America's Best Idea" t-shirt.

Individuals can add one new spot to http://thisisyourland.nationalparks.org each day to increase their chances of winning.  The National Park Foundation and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations will announce the winners in March.  For more information and complete contest rules visit: www.nationalparks.org/thisisyourlandsweeps

View our great selection of National park vacations.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Holland America sponsored this video for Ken Burns' new special on PBS "National Parks: America's Best Idea."

Saturday, September 12, 2009

In the southeastern region of Utah, Moab is one of the only cities on the banks of the Colorado River. Moab was originally established in the 19th century as agricultural land, but later changed to mining. In the 1920’s, oil exploration in the United States contributed to the local population. During the 1950’s, the discovery of uranium in the region established Moab as the uranium capital of the world. Today, Moab attracts over half a million visitors a year, and is the portal city to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. The majestic scenery of the canyons attracts photographers, artists, and enthusiasts looking to capture the great western outdoor experience.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Arches National Park Natural stone arches and other fantastic rock formations are the defining features of Arches National Park. As opposed to natural bridges, which are formed when a river slowly bores its way through solid
rock, natural arches are the result of the erosive forces of rain and snow slowly chipping away at the rock. There are more than 1,700 officially listed arches in Arches National Park, and more are discovered every day. Wander through this maze of incredible rock formations and when you think you have seen the most spectacular one, another even more amazing appears as you walk around the next bend.