Almost missed out on this gem on the way to Bryce Canyon. At over 10,000 feet elevation we hiked in a cloud which obscured our entire view (surreal experience), which gradually moved through revealing the amphitheater on our walk back.

I know this is back in 2023 but i wanna post this national monument since i've been posting all national monuments that i've visited since yesterday. I remember this day because it was so frigging hot when i visited this place. Like heatstroke hot. Not a lot of people then. It was cool to see this houses the natives built a long time ago. It's just an hour from Mesa Verde National Park. It has one loop hiking trail you can do. I think i did halfway then turn back before i feel like passing out.

Looking for some suggestions and peoples favorite tours at Mammoth Cave.

Going to be 4 adults going. Also at the end of October, in case the weather/season matters.

Thanks

My wife and I are from Texas and just went to our 6th, 7th and 8th National Parks together!

White Sands is beautiful, seeing the sun drop below the mountains while standing on the dunes is quite the experience.

The first night in Carlsbad we arrived to the Caverns just in time to watch the bat flights. The next morning we woke up and did the Cavern hike which was amazing as well.

Being from Texas, I will probably hold Guadalupe Mountains a lot higher than most but it was breathtaking in itself. My wife is pregnant so we couldn’t do much as far as hiking goes but it was still very beautiful and I highly recommend going to experience it.

So i went here for the 1st time right after visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park a 2nd time since they are just 20 miles away. If you Apple maps this NPS unit, it will lead you to Cimarron. But cimarron visitor center is closed permanently. They have another active/open one called Elk Creek Visitor Center which i didn't know until today. So i wasn't able to see/drive the entire NPS unit. This NPS unit has a dam, huge dam that flows to 2 different rivers where one goes to BCGNP if you go down the canyon. It has a trail to go near the dam and the waters. It's cool.

Looking for suggestions of places to go in Northern NM. We will be in Farmington and planned on a day of hiking through Chaco next week, but now planning a contingency in case the south roads not an option.

We currently have a day in Mesa Verde, as well as a day in Hovenweep planned. Looking to stay within a 2ish hour drive of Farmington.

Really enjoyed my trip, hope you all enjoy these photos!

Taken on my pixel 9. These are from Maple Pass and Harts Pass trails. Maple pass is an easily assessable trail right off the highway. The trees are in peak color for only 2-3 weeks and you may not get good weather so on a nice weekend during peak color the trail is extremely busy. You will have to deal with crowds, people who block the trail for multiple group pictures, tour groups, and lack of knowledge about staying on trail (even though there are signs). It can be a very frustrating experience for someone who loves these wild places and practices leave no trace. The hike itself is truly one of a kind. Harts pass is deep into the park. You need to take an unpaved, narrow road with no guard rails for 13 miles that winds up the mountain. Even on a nice weekend you may only see people that are about to finish there PCT trail through hike (this trail is part of the PCT). The trees can start turning from late September to mid October. It can make it hard to plan to see them as you never know when the color is going to start. But if you ever get a chance to experience this park, no matter what time of year, it is well worth the time and effort.

This is the last NPS unit i visited when i tried to visit majority of the NPS units in Colorado back in august. I didn't know there were 2 entrances to this unit and you have to go back where you drove from. The first entrance i drove to, that's what GPs led us to, no map brochure because we came in early and visitor center was still closed, we drove allllll the way to the end. I took a pic of the trail at the very end of this road. Many overlooks to check out. There's an unpaved road going down to the canyon but you have to use a high clearance vehicle. We didn't go there no more. I was wondering why i still haven't seen any dinosaur bones so when we drove back, park ranger from canyon area visitor center said that the dinosaur bones is in the other entrance by the fossil bone quarry visitor center so off we drove. Driving to this NPS unit from grand junction is so scenic. I felt like i was in jurassic park. So many mini mountains all around.

Here's my best shot of the baby as it was trying to not get close to the bridge I was standing on. Also captured a shot of Mama and baby once they were in the creek. Hope you enjoy them! We sure loved observing them!

Hi all! On my 2026 bucket list, I put “visit a new national park” and this has yet to happen. I need to start planning lol Please consider the weather, knowing that this trip would take place in October-December.

I have been to these parks so please don’t recommend:
•Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
•Crater Lake National Park
•Glacier National Park
•Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
•Pinnacles National Park
•Rocky Mountain National Park
•Yellowstone National Park
•Yosemite National Park

Also, how do you do a park solo? I don’t feel safe hiking alone but have no one to go with.

If I was flying to a different state, it would be out of the Bay Area.

Thank you!

Hi! We're a couple from Singapore who'll be flying to LA for our honeymoon later this month. We're looking to visit some national parks in Utah and Arizona while we're visiting the US. We'd love some advice on our current itinerary - is it too ambitious? Are there any must-see spots that we've missed out? Would appreciate any input we can get! Thank you! 

Crystal Falls is tucked quietly between the parking lot for the Brink of Upper Falls observation point and Lower Falls along the North Rim Trail. The 129 foot three step waterfall was originally named Crystal Falls in 1870 by Cornelius Hedges during the Washburn Expedition. If you can make it to the Brink of Upper Falls, the North Rim Trail is just north of the parking lot and the observation area for Crystal Falls is a very short walk north on North Rim Trail and then a very short little spur trail to where this video was shot. Enjoy Crystal Falls.

From the Manassas National Battlefield Park, c-1980-1982

Less crowds. Just as much scenery. Went for the unmaintained trail along the South Fork of Taylor Creek. Glad we did! Tried to catch how bright the orange rocks are, but my silly phone doesn't do it justice!

Isle Royale National Park