Spring is in the air, and it’s just about time to trade out your winter gear for the clothes and gear you’ve had tucked away since last year. Whether you’re looking for an epic national park road trip, or your plans are a little more low-key, Outdoorsome has amazing tips and tricks to help you make the most of your time spent outdoors!
Why Are Our National Parks So Important?
Aside from having breathtaking views and being destinations for family road trips for years, our national parks are an important part of our heritage and uphold the fundamental value that American land belongs to the people. National parks protect endangered and vital wildlife and help give visitors a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While the landscapes may generally stay the same year after year, their importance only increases as more species of animals become endangered and representatives fight to keep public land public.
Time to Gear Up!
There’s a chance that last year’s gear will suit you just fine while you’re out, but what about all of those pictures you took and all of those memories you made? Familiarizing yourself with devices like ibi means storing your photos until they’re ready to be printed or taken out and viewed again. Ibi collects photos from your device as you go, and holds up to one TB of space—leaving ibi to do the work while you have all the fun.
Once you’ve got your gear and you’re ready to take in some sights, picking a national park can be as random as throwing a dart on a map, or as thorough as reading up on notable destinations.
National Parks to Visit
There are over 60 national parks to visit in the US, and we highly encourage trying to visit as many as you can in your lifetime. Outdoorsome offers some great insight into parks located in the western United States, and we’ve picked a few of our favorites!
Antelope Canyon National Park–Arizona
When it comes to outdoor destinations, Arizona is best known for Grand Canyon National Park. But just two hours away lies Antelope Canyon—which is arguably one of the most beautiful sights to see in the southwestern United States. Pictures do not do the swirling red sandstone justice, and we highly recommend seeing it in person. Even though the canyon itself only stretches about the length of a football field, it is truly a sight to behold, with other impressive canyons nearby.
Kings Canyon National Park–California
Kings Canyon is home to the General Sherman Tree—the world’s largest tree, which stands almost as tall as Antelope Canyon is long. Other equally impressive trees can be seen in the General Grant Grove, which is home to some of the tallest trees in the world. But Kings Canyon isn’t only impressive because of its ancient giants. It is home to more than 800 miles of trails of all difficulty levels, with plenty of places to stop to rest if you’re not used to hiking at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Guided horseback rides are also available for a daily fee.
Grand Teton National Park–Wyoming
Simply put—Grand Teton is beautiful. This vast park spreads across over 310,100 square miles, with breathtaking views and abundant wildlife. We recommend starting your trip off with a scenic drive through the landscape, enjoying the horizon in all its natural wonder. There is something here for every outdoorsy type—the hiker, the biker, the camper, and especially the photographer. Image after image, landscape snapshot after landscape snapshot, photographers spend hours getting the perfect shots—because there are so many different views to take in. Be sure you’ve got a backup device like ibi, so your pictures are safe and secure long after you’ve left the park.
Zion National Park–Utah
Zion National Park is just one of so many beautiful outdoor destinations in Utah, and it’s home to some of the most stunning views in the entire state. Whether you’re looking to get in touch with your spiritual roots, hike the Narrows through the Virgin River, or enjoy a romantic sunset at Watchman Trail, Zion is a notable stop on your way through the state. People often combine it with a visit to nearby Bryce Canyon, but those with more time on their hands can slow down and enjoy everything Zion has to offer.
Glacier National Park–Montana
When speaking to other well-traveled hikers, you will undoubtedly hear Glacier National Park listed off as one of those must-visit destinations. But if hiking the Highline Trail is outside of your comfort zone, there are still plenty of things to do and see. We cannot recommend enough visiting Logan Pass and Hidden Lake, as well as the picturesque Swiftcurrent Lake.
Where Will the Wind Take You?
National Parks keep our history alive and will continue to do so for generations to come. They are home to so many important species and are rich with history and culture for those who seek it.
For more information on National Parks, or for travel tips and insight to some of the most beautiful travel destinations nature has to offer, visit Outdoorsome.com and sign up for up their newsletter using your email address.
