Free National Parks Pass for Military Families!

In know I've already done some flag-waving for Military Spouse Appreciation Day, but you'll have to bear with me because I'm back with another military-themed post!

It's National Armed Forces Week and I've discovered an opportunity which is just too good not to share: starting on Armed Forces Day - tomorrow, May 19th -  active duty military members will be eligible for a free annual National Parks pass to pay tribute to their service!

Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Those of you who've followed The Traveling Spoon for a while may remember that I have a special affinity for our country's National Parks. Last year, Matt and I had the absolutely amazing experience of touring our way through the great Parks of the American West - including the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park (you can read all about our experiences here, here, and here).

We bought our own annual pass (still totally worthwhile at a cost of $80) to fund our multi-park adventure - in addition to taking advantage of some free admission during National Parks Week - but thanks to this amazing offer, we could do it all over again for free!

Zion National Park, UT

I can't even begin to tell you how excited this offer makes me! As a travel-lover, I've always got my eye on the road - and I'd be lying if I said that road wasn't usually in a far-flung, exotic locale - but touring our very own National Parks last year helped me realize just how much America really has to offer. Our country is as amazingly diverse in its landscapes as it is in its people, and while I consider myself reasonably well-traveled, I know I've barely scratched the surface. Thanks to this National Parks offer, I'm looking forward to going further!

If you think you might be eligible for this offer, or simply want more details to pass on to a friend, check out the official verbiage from the White House and the U.S. Geological Survey.

For more details about our experiences 'out West,' (including a possible itinerary and a 'best of' round-up of all the places we visited) check out my three-part National Parks series: Part I, Part II, and Part III!

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Best of the West's National Parks (Part III)

At last, it's here - the installment of my National Parks series and the part where I dish up the dirt (no pun intended!) on some of our National Parks.  Until now, my reviews have been fairly positive - we visited some truly great places so this part's been easy - but now it's time to let you in on a few of our disappointments.  To find out which parks were a great trip and which were just a great waste of time, read on.

This view of Cliff Palace is worth searching for!

Most Confusing/Worst Signage: Mesa Verde National Park, CO
If you like getting lost, this is the park for you. Several attractions appeared to be missing signs altogether, so be sure to pick up a map at the visitor's center - if you can find it!

These logs are impressive, but the park offers comparatively few other attractions

Least Value for Money: Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
Petrified Forest National Park sounds fascinating, right? That's a trick question, because while the petrified logs are actually really interesting, the park kind of isn't. Apparently, much of the petrified wood from this area was carted away by tourists long before the National Park Service stepped in. The best logs are located at the far end of the park, and though the drive through this portion of the Painted Desert is pretty, it looks a lot like the parts of Arizona that you can drive through outside the park - for free. You can also see petrified logs for free, at several 'rock shops' outside the park, which means that there really isn't much reason to visit the park at all. Top Tip: If you have the Annual Pass, it's worth visiting the Crystal Forest and Newspaper Rock. Otherwise, you can satisfy your petrified log curiosity at one of the rock shops along the highway, or view the smaller specimens at Valley of Fire State Park, NV.

Crazy roads on the Artists Drive, Death Valley, CA

Least Accessible: Death Valley National Park, CA
This park was one of my favorites, so I hate to put it on the 'naughty' list - but it is out in the middle of nowhere. Matt and I broke our epic journey to Death Valley in a little town called Orlancha - which is also in the middle of nowhere.

A rare bit of empty trail at the busy Zion Canyon, UT

Most Crowded: Zion National Park, UT
It's a small park and we visited during National Park Week - not the best example of prior planning on our part.  We weren't able to get a spot on one of the campsites in the park, even though there are two, and ended up grabbing one of the last rooms available in a Travelodge in Hurricane, UT. Top tip: Campsites are first come, first served so arrive early!

At least this sign proves we were in the right place!

Biggest Disappointment: Petrified Forest National Park, AZ, Capitol Reef National Park, UT and Sequoia National Forest, CA
I've already explained my issues with Petrified Forest, but Capitol Reef and Sequoia make the list for far different reasons. Matt and I drove through Capitol Reef without even realizing it - we were too busy looking for the Capitol-like dome that we never saw.  I've heard there's some good hiking to be had in the park, and there's was an interesting looking orchard just outside the gates, but after visiting Bryce, Zion and Death Valley, perhaps we're too hard to impress. Sequoia makes our list of disappointments only because we drove six hours to reach it and didn't see a single Sequoia. Sadly, we failed to fully research our trip and didn't realize that the only access road through the centre of the park (you know, the bit with all the giant trees) would still be closed in mid-April. Sadly, the Ranger we spoke with at the visitor's center didn't think to mention this fact either. Bummer.  I'm sure the trees are impressive but, sadly, we may never get to see them. Top tip: Please, please, check to be sure the roads are open before you plan your trip!

The photos were the best part of our visit!

Least Favorite: Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
I hate to say 'all-time' least favorite, because it seems so final.  Still, after all the hype surrounding Petrified Forest, our visit was pretty disappointing. The logs are beautiful and it was fascinating to watch them change colors with the changing light of a setting sun, but I'm not sure I would have been satisfied if we'd had to pay the usual entrance fee.  The Painted Desert portion, which makes up the majority of the park, is not really unique in terms of Arizona scenery and it's a little strange to have a highway running straight through the middle of the park. Sure, some of the other parks had less to offer, but most of these didn't have the reputation - or the entrance fees - that made Petrified Forest such a stone, cold disappointment.

Best of the West's National Parks (Part II)

In Best of the West (Part I), I covered the major highlights of our thirteen-site National Park odyssey. I explained why Bryce Canyon is my all-time favorite, why Zion has a great shuttle system, and why you should camp at the Grand Canyon if you're craving s'mores. These tips might be enough for the casual, armchair traveler, but if you want the nitty gritty details of the West's great National Parks, you've come to the right place. Read on to find out more about our favorites and get details on a few newcomers.

River Crossing in Echo Canyon, Zion National Park

Best for Walkers: Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, UT
It's official - Utah is a great place for hikers! Bryce Canyon was home to my favorite hike (the Fairyland Loop, detailed in Part I) and Zion was the site of Matt's (Observation Point via East Rim), so it's hardly surprising that these two win our most 'foot friendly' award. Both parks boast a variety of hikes that cater to walkers of all ages and abilities. From two mile hikes, to hikes you'll still be feeling two days later, these parks have it all. All routes within Zion Canyon are reached via the free park shuttle, making them extra backpacker-friendly. The sheer volume of trails at both locations means you could explore for days and never hike the same trail twice! Top Tip: While none of the trails are really 'technical,' some are quite physically demanding (Zion's Angel's Landing trail, for example, has a cliff's-edge portion with chains to hold as you climb) and many will be closed seasonally or affected by adverse weather.  Be sure ask about current trail conditions at the visitors center before you lace up your boots.

Best of the West's National Parks (Part I)

Exploring the Great American West doesn't get much better than setting foot on one of the many amazing National Parks that generously dot these expansive states. While driving across the trackless desert is still a Kerouacian experience, our National Parks provide some truly great opportunities for those who like to do their exploring with both feet on the ground. Here are some highlights from our experiences 'out West' (this list is collaborative, so you can get Matt's opinions as well as mine, for a change!):

Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon, UT

All-Time Favorite Park: Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Matt and I were divided on this one - he favors the nearby Zion Canyon - but I chose Bryce because of it's stunning scenery and the wide variety of activities on offer.  The location is a bit remote, but well worth the drive. Technically Bryce is the edge of a plateau, rather than a canyon, but you'll be more interested in the unique scenery than in nomenclature, once you arrive at the park. Tall, slender spires of variegated rock, called hoodoos, create curtain-like projections that stretch out to the horizon.  At sunrise, the rocks are pastel pink, ash white and pale orange, at sunset they glow as if on fire.  It really is enchanting. The only downside is the weather - expect wintry conditions to persist until May, and check their website for the best times to visit. Matt and I pitched our tent on a foot of snow in late April!

Archaeological Site at Canyon de Chelly, AZ

Best Free Attraction: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, AZ 
For the budget-conscious, this location can't be beat.  Located in eastern Arizona, Canyon de Chelly (pronounced shay) offers a variety of attractions, including guided tours to archaeological sites, an impressively scenic drive and an excellent, short day hike down to some well-preserved ruins at the base of the canyon. The Rangers on staff were extremely knowledgeable and - bonus! - we arrived on the site's 'anniversary' which meant free cake, a postcard and a full day of cultural events. Top tip: The Park is located on the Navajo Reservation, which means it observes daylight savings time - unlike the rest of Arizona!

Valley of Fire State Park, NV: Can you spot the Scream Mask? 

Best State Park: Valley of Fire, NV
Okay, this is kind of cheating since it was technically the only State Park we visited, but the site was so impressive that Matt and I both agreed it deserves a mention. We planned to spend only a few hours here but ended up spending an entire day! Only an hour north of Las Vegas, the Valley of Fire State Park might just as well be on another planet.  The park boasts some amazing red rock formations (it derives its name from their vivid color) as well as a few short hikes and even some impressive petroglyphs. Top Tip: You could spend a whole day here, as we did, but if you're short on time, check out the petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock and Mouse's Tank, catch a glimpse of some Petrified Logs and take a picture at Elephant Rock.

View from the Fairyland Loop, Bryce Canyon, NV

Best Hike: Fairyland Loop at Bryce Canyon, NV
We started this 8.2-mile loop in the sunshine and ended - three hours later - in the snow, but every minute was absolutely beautiful. The scenery is stunning; between the multi-colored mineral deposits and castle-like rock formations, this route certainly lives up to its name. It's a fairly straightforward hike, but there is a lot of elevation change (including an almost 1800ft ascent) so it will be a respectable day hike for most hikers. Top Tip: The Fairyland Loop doesn't have the seasonal restrictions of some of the other Bryce routes, but this doesn't mean the trail won't be affected by weather. Portions were extremely muddy and some areas were still snow-covered in late April.  Improper footwear is the leading cause of injuries at Bryce so hiking boots with ankle support and 'lug' traction are strongly recommended.

Grand Staircase-Escalante: A geological smorgasbord!

Best Scenic Drive: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, UT
Utah's newest National Monument, this scenic drive was a bonus attraction, connecting our visit to Antelope Canyon in Page, AZ, with our visit to Bryce Canyon in Utah. Given the option to take the highway or an unpaved scenic detour, we'll almost always take the detour, and this one certainly paid off. The drive is a sampler of geologic formations, winding past multicolored cliffs, table-topped buttes, towering pinnacles, and graceful stone arches. The two hours we spent driving through the monument were filled with breathtaking photo-ops and stunning vistas. Top tip: The roads through the area are unimproved and were still quite muddy in late April, so don't attempt this route in low-clearance, poor-traction vehicles. There are no gas stations once you enter the monument, so fill up before you set out.

A grand view of the Grand Canyon, AZ

Best Amenities: Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
This isn't really that surprising, given that the Grand Canyon is one of the most visited National Parks in the country.  Ample parking, a huge visitors' center and an excellent, free shuttle system are just some of the features that put the Grand Canyon above the rest.  Add in two well-appointed campsites, two full-service lodges, a General Store (complete with cafe), a gift shop and a mini-mart, and the Park has all your needs covered. You can even buy firewood to kindle in one of the campsites' many fire pits - and the chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers to go with it.

Sunset at the Grand Canyon - I promise it's there!

Best Infrastructure: Grand Canyon, AZ and Zion, UT
Again, these are two high-traffic parks, so infrastructure is really important.  While the Grand Canyon is vast, Zion Canyon is small and narrow (so small that visitors must ride a shuttle to reach most of the park) so both make use of a great shuttle system to keep visitors moving. Both also boast impressive visitors centers, good parking, well-kept campsites and a whole host of Ranger-guided programs.

Salt at Badwater Basin, Death Valley, CA

Best Variety: Death Valley National Park, CA
This park is so much more than the barren, sandy wasteland I envision when I hear the name 'Death Valley.' Sure, it's home to the lowest, hottest and driest locations in North America - and also the famously salty Badwater Basin and the famously eerie 'sliding rocks' at Racetrack Playa - but there's a lot more to see than these well-known attractions. You can visit the remains of the Harmony Borax Works, for a bit of history, or explore the cool, polished marble walls of Mosaic Canyon on foot. Take pictures from the comfort of your car on the Artist's Drive or get a good workout climbing the shifting sands of the Mesquite Sand Dunes. Top tip: Visit in April when the temperatures are a little cooler - Death Valley also boasts the highest reliably recorded temperature in the Western Hemisphere (134 °F at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913). In addition, the park is vast and gas prices inside the gates are high so be sure to fill up before you arrive - you'll want plenty of gas to see all this park has to offer!

Mesquite Sand Dunes, Death Valley, CA

Best Value for Money: Death Valley, CA (variety), Zion, UT (views), Bryce Canyon, UT (hiking), Grand Canyon, AZ (legendary)
As you an see, this was a tough category to adjudicate! A lot of the 'value' of a site depends on what takes you there in the first place, so we came up with a few subcategories to facilitate your decision. The good news is that with choices spread across three different states, the chances are even greater that you'll eventually get the chance to visit!

Enough exploring for one post? We've given you the best of the West, but you can check back later for more categories, breakdowns, highlights and letdowns!

America the Beautiful: Discovering our National Parks

Some more unfinished business today! I'm typing from a cozy little nest of boxes and packing paper and, though I'm glad to finally be in our new home (and my new kitchen!), looking through these photos has reawakened some of my desire to be on the road. I'll have my feet firmly planted in Tennessee for a while (I'm attempting to assimilate into the local culture tonight with tickets to the CMA Music Fest!) but I'll be traveling vicariously though these catch-up posts over the next few days. I hope you enjoy the ride, too!

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

So, how do you top two weeks in sunny Las Vegas? Follow it up with as many back-to-back National Park visits as you can cram into a two week period! At least, that's what Matt and I decided to do, and it turned out to be a pretty great plan. We spent two weeks hiking, camping, eating and driving our way across 13 National Parks/Forests/Monuments and assorted other points of interest. It was breathtaking, enlightening and occasionally really exhausting - and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. Of course, I know not everyone can devote two whole weeks to rambling through the vast American hinterland, so my next few posts will seek to condense and summarize our experiences; you can 'travel' along with us or use our itinerary as a jumping off point for your own adventures.

Antelope Canyon (not a National Park, but still amazing!)

By sheer chance, the first half of our whirlwind tour coincided with this year's fee-free National Park Week. Judging by the traffic that week, many people schedule their visits during this time, but if you plan on visiting more than a handful of parks within a calendar year, it may be worthwhile to purchase the 'America the Beautiful' annual pass.  The price may seem steep (currently $80 for unlimited entries) but it quickly pays for itself and, in any case, preserving these beautiful places is well worth the cost.

Check back over the next few days as we 'visit':
Petroglyph National Monument, NM
Canyon de Chelly National Monument, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
Hoover Dam, NV
Death Valley National Park, CA
Sequoia National Forest, CA
Valley of Fire State Park, NV
Zion National Park, UT
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Antelope Canyon, AZ
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, UT
Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Arches National Park, UT
Mesa Verde National Park, UT
Four Corners Monument, NM
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, CO
Garden of the Gods, CO

National Park Week (April 16-24, 2011)

Zion National Park, Utah

I'm writing from Bryce Canyon National Park, having just finished an 8-mile hike through some of the most breathtaking scenery I've ever seen (more on that later!), so what better subject to cover than the fee-free National Park Week that's going on right now at the nearly 400 National Parks scattered all across the country! Matt and I already have an annual pass, but for those of you who don't often get the time to get out and enjoy these areas of natural beauty, this week might be just the perfect opportunity.

From now until April 24th, National Parks are offering free admission (which can add up to huge savings, in some cases), and many boast further discounts in their on-site stores and extra Ranger programs to help you get the most out of your visit.

In the past couple of weeks, Matt and I have explored a wide variety of sites - from the Grand Canyon and the lesser known, but still awesome, Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, to Death Valley in California, and Zion and Bryce Canyon in Utah.  Each has something different and exciting to offer and I plan on doing a more detailed review of each in the weeks to come - perhaps when I'm able to stop lurking outside of buildings or buying lots of unnecessary coffees in order to connect to the internet!

Mesquite Sand Dunes, Death Valley, CA

While I know not everyone can make a quick trip to the Grand Canyon or Death Valley this week, I encourage you to get online and see if there are any National Parks in your area that you've yet to explore. Most parks are experiencing increased traffic this week, due to the promotion, but you can work around this quite easily by arriving early and choosing sites or trails that are less populated or more challenging.  Matt and I have tried the longest or most "strenuous" route at each site and have encountered few other hikers and no real crowds.

If you can't take advantage of this special week, or just don't relish the idea of fighting the crowds, there are lots of State Parks that offer a great experience which may be less hectic and less expensive during regular fee periods. The Annual Pass also represents a great value, if you're planning on visiting more than a handful of parks in the space of a year. In any case, warming temperatures and gradually longer days offer the perfect excuse to get outside and explore - take advantage of this fee-free week if you can!

Waterfall crossing in Zion National Park, Utah