Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park preserves a colorful landscape eroded into canyons, mesas, and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries. The rivers divide the park into four districts: The Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves.

The Island in the Sky is the most accessible district, offering expansive views from many overlooks along the paved scenic drive. The Needles offers more of a backcountry experience, requiring some hiking or four-wheel driving. The Maze is a remote district requiring considerably more time to visit.

●Driving time to the visitor center from Moab is about 40 minutes.

●On average 423,792 people visit the park each year.

1. Mesa Arch: .5 miles roundtrip, 30 minutes A mild walk out to an arch perched right on a cliff edge. Start the hike at Mesa Arch parking lot.

North Cascades National Park

●Jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and over 300 glaciers adorn this National Park.

●Boston glacier is the largest glacier in the park with an area of 7 km² .

●The park is home to lynx, bears, moose, wolverines, and wolves.

1.       Blackpine Lake Campground: This was a campground I stayed at outside of the town of Winthrop. There are gorgeous views of the mountains and lake.

2.       Winthrop: This is a cute town at the edge of the North Cascades. The Shafer Museum is in Winthrop. The museum has old cars and farm equipment.

Shafer Museum

3.       Ross Lake National Recreation Area

4.       Gorge Overlook Trail: The trail skirts the rim of the gorge, with views of free-flowing cascades and Gorge Dam.

5.       The Picket Range

6.       Goodell Creek Campground: This is the campground I stayed at in North Cascades National Park. It is located 13 miles East of Marblemount. It is situated in a lush, old growth forest on the banks of the Skagit River.

7.       Go camping, hiking, climbing, and boating.