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THIS EPISODE IS A GUIDE TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE US NATIONAL PARKS AND DECIDE HOW BEST TO SEE AND DISCOVER THEM.

YOU SHOULD PURCHASE THE NPS ANNUAL PASS CARD.

America the Beautiful National Park Pass.

“The pass includes entrance fees to all parks for one personal vehicle, including rentals and RV’s/motorhomes. Pass covers one motorcycle and it’s operator & passenger.”

REVIEWS ARE EXCEPTIONAL

“Was great

Used it to travel to 7 parks last year”

Freedom to Explore

“Imagine a world where every day offers a new adventure, a new horizon to chase. With the U.S. Park Pass, that world is yours. From the towering peaks of Yosemite to the deep valleys of the Grand Canyon, freedom to explore is in your hands. No boundaries, no limits—just you, your loved ones, and the open road. This is your ticket to create stories and memories that last a lifetime, all at incredible value.”

“It’s beyond easy to renew my America the Beautiful Pass each and every year! We use it more and more with each passing year, so it’s only becoming a better and better deal for us too! Forests, Parks, Battlefields – this pass is great to have for any family of explorers!”

GET THE NPS GUIDE .

“National Parks, National Monuments, and National Historic Sites – Adventure Planning Journal.”

” The National Parks, National Monuments and National Historic Sites Adventure Book is your new adventure challenge!

Do you dream of exploring the National Parks, Monuments, and Historic Sites? The National Parks, National Monuments, and National Historic Sites Adventure Book helps you plan, discover, and collect memories from your adventures. With room to write down your must-see sights, plan your trip, and add photos, this adventure book is perfect for nature lovers of all ages. Take on the adventure – and find new places to explore, new things to see, and collect amazing memories!

Plan your adventures, then share all of the fun!“

BOOKING A TOUR OF MULTIPLE PARKS IN ONE REGION.

“From Death Valley to the Grand Canyon, the American West features an astonishing array of geological extremes. Journey to seven incredible national parks in Utah, Arizona, and California, and gain new perspectives from scientists, naturalists, and other local experts along the way. Peer up at Sequoia’s General Sherman—the planet’s largest known living single-stem tree—and wade through the spectacular Narrows slot canyon. Step into the stunning natural sandstone cathedral of Antelope Canyon alongside a Navajo guide, and experience the sweeping majesty of the Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Cap off the adventure amid the urban vitality of San Francisco.”

SAMPLE TRIP OVERVIEW-

Trip Overview

• “Enjoy the insights of knowledgeable scientists during guided walks along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and through the forests of Sequoia National Park.
• Gaze through the high-powered telescopes at historic Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff on a behind-the-scenes tour.
• Walk the floor of awe-inspiring Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide.
• Discover the glacially carved landscapes of Yosemite National Park, and hike trails to breathtaking views of Half Dome and El Capitan.”

SEEING THE NATIONAL PARKS BY RAIL IS A GREAT OPTION –

HISTORY OF RAILWAY TRAVEL TO US NATIONAL PARKS.

“Railroads quickly realized the beautiful scenery along their passenger routes could be used as a selling point. Destination travel became a key marketing strategy in a country where riding the train was more than just a route from point A to point B. Union Pacific, among other railroads, began to encourage its passengers to enjoy the landscape outside their windows in the late 1890s, marketing itself as the “World’s Pictorial Line.” In 1903, Union Pacific began advertising trips to Yellowstone National Park and extended its Oregon Short Line right up to the western Yellowstone entrance in 1908.”

“Today, Union Pacific Railroad continues to play a key role in connecting people to America’s national parks. Through support of the Find Your Park / Encuentra Tu Parque public awareness campaign and youth programs like Junior Ranger Railroad Explorer and Open OutDoors for Kids, Union Pacific remains committed to sharing the wonders of our nation with the next generation of park-goers through its partnership with the National Park Foundation.”

ONE WELL DONE EXAMPLE IS THE GRAND CANYON RAILROAD AND HOTEL FROM ROUTE 66 IN WILLIAMS AZ TO GRAND CANYON VILLAGE.

Grand Canyon National Park – Grand Canyon Railway

Arizona > Grand Canyon National Park > Grand Canyon Railway

“Increasing visitation to the Grand Canyon at the end of the 19th century led to the construction, by Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF), of a branch railway linking the canyon with the main line at Williams; the 65 miles of tracks were completed in 1901, some years prior to the national park creation, and the majority of Grand Canyon visitors for the next few decades arrived by train.”

GRAND CANYON DEPOT

POSSIBLE GRAND CANYON ACCOMIDATIONS

“El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon“

THE TRAIN ROUTE

Train times

“Outward: depart Williams 9.30 am, arrive Grand Canyon Village 11.45 am
Inward: depart Grand Canyon Village 3.30 pm, arrive Williams 5.45 pm

Trains run every day of the year except Christmas DAY.”

SO MANY RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP.

“First-person accounts and gorgeous landscape photos paired with practical information and tips to help travelers make the most of their journeys through more than 40 national parks.

National parks are America’s most-beloved treasures. The editors of Reader’s Digest magazine reveal first-person accounts and gorgeous landscape photos paired with practical information and tips to help travelers make the most of their journeys through these unique areas.

Included you’ll find information on more than 40 national parks and incredible images from readers. Plus:

• A historical introduction along with a national park timeline.
• An illustrated map of each state for each national park story, pointing out the location of the park within the state with a marker.

• Inspirational and gorgeous photos in gallery sections for each region to make this a terrific coffee table book or gift for travelers.

• Then and now comparison photos of national parks.

• Helpful added information, including possible rest stops, can’t-miss area hot spots, fun facts, handy advice for planning ahead, possible side trips and nearby attractions.

Whether you’re an armchair traveler or ready to pack and roll, Great American Road Trips: National Parks has everything that you are looking for.”

List of parks covered:

WEST

Denali National Park, Alaska

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Pinnacles National Park, California

Redwood National Park, California

Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park, California

Yosemite National Park, California

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Glacier National Park, Montana

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Zion National Park, Utah

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park, Washington

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana

SOUTHWEST

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

MIDWEST

Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin

EAST

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Canaveral National Seashore, Florida

Everglades National Park, Florida

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Acadia National Park, Maine

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Shenandoah Valley and Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Virgin Islands National Park