Overview of 8 National Parks

An Overview of 8 National Parks we visited during our first year on the road


1.) The Great Smoky Mountains: Gatlinburg, TN

Visited Fall and Winter 2018

Highlights: Fall Colors

Overview:
 One of the few National Parks that does not have an entry fee

• A unique feature is the always low lying clouds/haze around giving its name 
• It does get hot and humid in the summer but the fall the winter is nice and they do get snow at times
• Although we spent 4 or 5 months there, I did not see the bears or many wildlife during this time although others claim to see them. 
• Something I missed that occurs in June that I would like to see one day are the Fireflies 
• link here 

2.) Petrified Forest and Painted Desert, Eastern Arizona
Visited: February 2019
Highlights: The short hikes to some pretty scenery; also a place outside the park that was almost like the Grand Canyon

Overview:

• This is like two parks in one 
• The petrified wood part and this part was all under water many years ago; lots of history to learn 
• The painted desert shows the striations and different rock layers, very pretty 
• All desert so lots of dirt and rocks 

3.) Grand Canyon
Visited: The end of February beginning of March 2019
Highlights: The Grand Canyon of course!
Overview:

• The rim trail is nice and must do because it is easy. 
• It does get busy and we went off season and the afternoons were still busy 
• Take a small hike down part of the way into the canyon, at least do that much, so worth it. 

4.) Arches in Moab, Utah
Visited: March 2019
Highlights: The arches
Overview

• This is all desert, but beautiful; all red rock everywhere 
• I did miss seeing grass but this is a must see at least once in a lifetime 

5.) Canyonlands in Utah; this is really close to Moab and Arches so don't miss this one if going to Arches
Visited: March 2019
Highlights: The Mesa Arch at sunrise
Overview:

• Very similar to Arches but have some more unique sights to see 
• Try some sunrise or sunset hikes to capture some beautiful scenery 

6.) The Grand Tetons in Wyoming
Visited End of March/Early April 2019
Highlights: The frozen lakes
Overview:

• A unique view of some massive mountains 
• We went way too early in the season and trails were still snowed over along with the lakes but it was nice to see 
• The first park to see some wildlife except for some elk in the Grand Canyon; the wildlife here was right off the road 
• The drive through the park and through Jackson Wyoming is steep and winding so not good to take the camper through (we left the camper in Idaho)

7. Yellowstone
Visited: April/May 2019
Highlights: Everything! This was my favorite by far
Overview:

• Finally back into some grassy areas 
• Breathtaking and the most wildlife of all the parks 
• So many unique features not seen at the other parks 
• Still snow in some areas but it was mostly open 
• Find the waterfalls, those are nice to see 

8.) Glacier
Visited: June - September 2019
Highlights: Just the beauty of the area
Overview:

• Although called Glacier, there are not many glaciers that you can see anymore. There used to be 150 and now there is only about 25 and only a few of those that you can hike to. There is one you can see from the road but you can't tell it is a glacier, looks like a snow patch so don't go for the glaciers
• The area is the most beautiful area though, definitely go for the landscape and beauty
• There are many waterfalls in the area 

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