The destination of White Sands National Park located in New Mexico is much different than the mountainous landscapes I have explored in previous posts. As the name suggests, this park is known for its extremely white sand dunes.

The park is an amazing place to see because in any direction you look, all you see is white. The sand dunes span about 275 square miles and the park is located in southern New Mexico. On a sunny day, the reflection of the sun off of the bright white surface can be blinding so be sure to bring your sunglasses! The unique bright white color of the sand comes from a mineral called gypsum which is often present after bodies of water evaporate.

Although miles and miles of sand may sound pretty boring, there are actually many things to do in White Sands National Park. The park offers unique hiking experiences for hikers of all abilities. The sand can make hiking extremely difficult, so for those who so not want to spend time hiking through the tough terrain, there is a half-mile boardwalk available with informational signs and a nice flat, solid walking surface. There are also many flat hikes that are about a mile long that allow families to be immersed in the dunes without having to take a long or steep hike. This is a great option if you want to experience a hike through the white sand without getting too intense.

For those who truly want to experience the dunes, there is a 5 mile hike called the Alkali Flat Trail that is anything but flat in reality. This trail is for dedicated, experienced hikers who are willing to traverse through the sand including many trips up and down the steep dunes with no access to water or bathroom facilities. It is recommended that this hike is completed by only those who are prepared for the heat and demanding conditions, as well as in cooler months if possible. In the summer, the temperatures are often in the 90s and the dessert environment offers little to no escape from the sun.

Another fun activity to do in the park is sand sledding. The sand looks just like winter snow with its white color, and you can even sled down the slopes just as if it really was snow. It is noted that sand is not as slippery as snow, but with the right equipment, this can be a fun family activity. The park recommends waxed plastic saucer sleds for maximum speed sliding down the dunes. Families or friends can come set up for the day and enjoy the warm weather and sun while they go summer sled riding in the white sand.

One drawback of this park is that it is a bit far from the rest of society and is a bit hard to get to. The nearest city of El Paso, Texas is about an hour and a half away. Although it is hard to get to, it also has a historical aspect to it. Billy the Kid (a famous wild west outlaw) is said to have grown up near the park and traveled in or around it on his journeys. Another legend is that a young woman’s heart was broken when her lover, Spanish conquistador Hernando de Luna, “vanished somewhere in the ever-shifting gypsum of White Sands” (Barks). It is said that the ghost of the young woman still haunts the dunes, forever searching for her lost love.

White Sands National Park is a great place to go if you are looking to experience the true dessert, or just something a little different. The expansive area of white sand seems like it would be amazing to see! Sand Sledding sounds like a blast as well!

Citation:

Barks, Cindy. “7 Things To Know About White Sands National Park.” Travel Awaits, 4 Dec. 2019,  https://www.travelawaits.com/2485969/white-sands-national-park-things-to-know/

As the name suggests, Glacier National Park does have glaciers. Glaciers helped to form and shape the huge rock formations, and the glaciers in the park today are the remnants of the very glaciers that formed the park. If you think glaciers and the history of the park are interesting, there are many places in the park to get information on the formation of the glaciers and how they cut through the rock. If this isn’t particularly interesting to you, don’t worry, there are many great things to do and see in the park that don’t actually involve glaciers.

For those who would enjoy a scenic drive, Going To The Sun Road is for you. This 50 mile road was finished in 1932 and extends all the way across the park. “It passes through almost every type of terrain in the park, from large glacial lakes and cedar forests in the lower valleys to windswept alpine tundra atop the pass” (Glacier National Park). There are many places to pull over for scenic overlooks, and it is recommended to drive the road from either direction as you get a different experience going each way. Another fun fact about the road is that it was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1985. I will definitely take a long drive on this road if I ever get the chance! But beware if you are afraid of heights, this road does come pretty close to some steep cliffs!

There are endless hiking opportunities in Glacier National park, and you can see many unique features such as glacial lakes, waterfalls, snowcapped mountains, and valleys carved out by glaciers. Jake Bramante hiked all 734 miles of trails in the park in one summer in 2011, becoming the first person to do so (Glacier National Park). He has posted a lot of information online about his experiences and his posts are a great way to get firsthand comparisons of trails and information on the best day hikes to complete.

On top of all the scenery and hiking opportunities, the nearby town of Whitefish was named one of the “Top 25 Ski Towns in the World” by National Geographic (Glacier National Park). It is clear from the picture below that this is a huge skiing destination with many trails at the base of a huge mountain. You can see why those with a love of skiing (like me) would want to come to Whitefish for a great time on the slopes. Even if you don’t enjoy skiing though, you can come to Whitefish just to shop, go to the theater, eat great food and just enjoy the cheerful atmosphere of the town.

Glacier National Park is a great place to go hiking, go for a scenic drive, see glaciers, see waterfalls and lakes, and is even nearby one of the best skiing destinations in the world. There are so many things to do here, and I really hope I get to come to Glacier National Park one day, and maybe even go to Whitefish to go skiing while I’m at it.

Citation:

Glacier National Park, Montana, 9 Aug. 2021, https://www.visitmt.com/places-to-go/glacier-national-park

Yet another hiking destination is Olympic National Park. Not too far out from the city, this is a trip you could take if you are ever in Seattle. With stunning views of mountains and the ocean, there are endless opportunities to explore a beautiful setting.

For those who prefer a trip to the city, there are single-day park tours that depart from and return to Seattle. Hitting many of the most well-known sights, this guided tour is perfect for those who want to experience the nature and views with a little more guidance. Being driven with your family in an SUV to Hurricane Ridge, you get to spend time here taking in the exquisite views. Hurricane Ridge is one of the most famous destinations in the park due to the amazing views you can get from so high up above the rest of the park at an elevation of over 5,200 feet. This park is situated along the Pacific Ocean, meaning that ground level is around zero, so this is quite high in comparison to the rest of the park.

Another stop on this guided tour would be Lake Crescent. This stunning lake sits at the base of mountains and is a common destination for visitors. It is famous for its bright blue color. The lake was formed by glaciers during the last Ice Age and is very deep. Many visitors come to view the lake and can imagine how it was formed over thousands of years. Once you are done with your tour, you are delivered right back to the city and can spend the rest of your trip exploring Seattle if that is more your style.

Another main attraction of the park is Mount Olympus. This towering snowcapped mountain sticks out above the green and is over 7,800 feet in elevation. It is a beautiful destination, and it is amazing to see the mountain emerging from the water. There are options to hike up, but to get to the top, you need mountain climbing experience as well as equipment. This is a serious undertaking that should only be completed by the well prepared.

Another part of the park is the rainforest portion. Getting over 12 feet of rain per year, (as a reference, State College gets around 41 inches or 3.4 feet) it is one of North America’s only true rainforests. Home to many hiking trails, you can even see the world’s largest Spruce Tree. It is much different from the climate of many of the other parks I have written about before, especially contrasting the desert climate of Sedona and Zion. This is a unique opportunity to see the rainforest climate from within the US.

Olympic National Park seems like a very cool place to visit. If I am ever in Seattle, I will likely spend most of my time exploring Olympic National Park. There are many different aspects to see, including the viewpoint from atop Hurricane Ridge, the lake formed by glaciers, the towering Mount Olympus, and even a rainforest. I hope that I get to visit Olympic National Park some day soon!

Citation:

“Outdoor Activities in Olympic National Park.” Tripadvisor, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g143047-zfg12022-Olympic_National_Park_Washington.html.

Yellowstone may be the most famous National Park in the US, and when I googled best National parks, it was first on the list. This park spans over Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, and is made up of so many natural wonders. From hot springs and geysers to waterfalls and a vast wilderness, Yellowstone is a huge park with so much to explore.

As mentioned above, one of the main attractions of the park are the natural geysers, the most famous being Old Faithful because it erupts so regularly. People flock to the park at the times when the geysers are predicted to go off, and sometimes arrive early and stay for hours just to ensure they get the chance to see them shoot up into the air. Less than 1,000 geysers exist in the whole world, and almost half of these are found in Yellowstone National Park. Geysers are made as a result of a unique tunnel system underground. One study described geyser eruptions as “sending steam and hot water hundreds of feet into the air, and often releasing a frightening screech and the stench of rotten eggs — because of a series of loops and side chambers hidden deep below the surface that allows water to boil first at the top and then cascade downward” (Hall). The geysers are a bit of a mystery in the world of geology, but they are fascinating to see explode out of the ground.

While geysers draw many people to Yellowstone, there is much more that the park has to offer. Another popular attraction is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. With stunning views, this 20 mile long, thousand foot deep canyon is a sight to see. The Yellowstone River, the longest undammed river in the US, runs through the bottom of the canyon, and is the source of the erosion that has built up over thousands of years to form the massive canyon. There are also many hiking trails around the canyon, and even one that ventures to the bottom of the canyon.

This is another park that is more rugged than most. People often go camping, but it is important to be aware of your surroundings. Many visitors suffer injuries from being unprepared for the intense weather, or becoming victims of animal attacks. There is an abundance of wildlife in the park including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, buffalo, and many more large, potentially dangerous animals. It is stressed that visitors follow all safety guidelines and know what to do in the case of an attack.

While the park can be dangerous, this definitely does not stop people from hiking. There are many trails, including the Mystic Falls Trail. This is a beautiful hike that leads to a famous waterfall. You can even climb to the top for a fantastic view of the surrounding park. This is a shorter, less strenuous hike, so it is great for people of all hiking abilities. There are endless trails throughout Yellowstone, many of which are very long and difficult, but this is a great one to try to get great views without going for an intense all day outing. I can’t wait to visit Yellowstone one day!

Citation:

Hall, Shannon. “Why Do Geysers Erupt? It Boils down to Plumbing.” LiveScience, Purch, 2 Mar. 2015, https://www.livescience.com/49985-geysers-plumbing-eruption

Yet another destination to add to my bucket list is Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. With its monstrous snowcapped mountains, it looks like something out of a movie.

This is something a bit different than the places I have been. With the cooler weather and less red cliffs and more mountains, it really has the feel of being out in the wilderness. I am excited to look into some of the different aspects of this park and see all of the great opportunities for adventure that it has to offer.

One of the main attractions are the wildlife tours. From half day to multi-day trips, there are many different options. While they are a little pricy, you can see a wide variety of animals in their natural habitat. From bears to bison to big horn sheep to elk, there are so many different opportunities to learn about and observe these creatures. Seeing these animals from closer up can really help you to grow your perspective on nature and how amazing it can be.

Another great option is a drive through the amazing scenery. This can be a great option to view many of the iconic landmarks of the park such as the Teton Mountains, Menors Ferry Historic District, the Snake River Overlook and Jenny Lake. The efficiency a drive offers allows you to see more during your limited time in the park. Driving at the base of these towering mountains looks amazing and I hope to be able to do this one day.

As always, I’ll talk about the options for hiking as this is a personal favorite of mine. The iconic Jenny Lake is an attraction that draws people in from all over the country. This lake is 2 miles long and is seated at the base of towering mountains. There is also a hiking trail you can take along the lake which is described as a “moderate 7.5-mile round-trip hike from the Jenny Lake Trailhead for views of Cascade Canyon, Storm Point, Symmetry Spire and Mount Moran” (Travel US News). This sounds amazing to me. I personally love any hiking trail that has great views accompanying it and from the pictures, this trail definitely seems like a perfect fit!

Overall Grand Teton seems like a great place to visit with many new aspects to explore. I love the cooler weather along with the rustic feel that the mountains and wildlife give the park. The lake seems amazing as well, I know for a fact that my dog, Moose would absolutely love a lake like this to swim in. I don’t think we’d ever get him to leave… Maybe one day I will be able to take him on a trip with us so he can enjoy the hiking and swimming as well. Moose may just be the biggest hike-lover out of the whole family!

Here’s a picture of him on our boat for reference:

Anyways, I hope to be able to visit Grand Teton National Park one day, and maybe I’ll be able to bring Moose along with me. I hope you learned something new about Grand Teton, and please let me know if any of you have ever been there!

“18 Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park.” US News Travel, US News, 22 July 2021, https://travel.usnews.com/Grand_Teton_National_Park_WY/Things_To_Do.