vacation in yosemite

Every year, millions of people from all over the world flock to California to spend their summer vacation in Yosemite National Park.  Located in the heart of California, Yosemite National Park is easily accessible via highway or via Fresno International Airport, which lies a mere 61 miles from the south gate of the park.  During the summer season, there are many reasons why tourists choose to take their vacation in Yosemite National Park.

A vacation in Yosemite  holds something for everyone.  Each summer, dozens of campgrounds in the park are reserved months in advance, so that visitors can take advantage of the natural beauty while on vacation in Yosemite.  In addition to camping, hiking is another reason that people often choose to take their vacation in Yosemite.  There are endless miles of hiking trails within the park which showcase it’s natural beauty.  For the more adventurous types, rock climbing is another popular allure, where climbers can try their skills on harder routes such as El Capitan.  If photography is a hobby, there are endless beautifully composed scenes just waiting to be captured on film.

Though the summer season is the most popular, it is not the only time to take a vacation in Yosemite.  The winter season is equally as beautiful, and much more peaceful in the park.  Most hotels in Yosemite are open through the winter, and some offer special events, such as the Bracebridge Dinner, Vintner’s Holidays, and Chef’s Holidays at the Ahwahnee Hotel.  In addition to these special events, visitors can also test their skills on the ski hill at Badger Pass during a winter vacation in Yosemite.  Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular on the trails near the Tenaya Lodge, where there is also an ice skating rink for visitors to enjoy.  And just as during the summer season, Yosemite in winter is a photographer’s paradise.

Whether guests choose to take their vacation in Yosemite National Park during the summer or winter season, one thing is for sure:  there are endless ways to enjoy this beautiful park!

To learn more about the lodging and activity options available for your vacation in Yosemite Park visit NationalParkReservations.com or call 866-875-8456.

Mountain biking any one of the myriad of trails found in Arches National Park is a treat for the body the soul and the eyes.  The parks many striking natural features are enough to make you forget about all the stress and problems of daily life and drift away into a world of magnificent spires, domes and all-natural sandstone skyscrapers that would put any man-made structure to shame.  

The diverse and incomparable geology that makes up Arches National Park will insight in you visions of Clint Eastwood westerns and Saturday morning cartoons of coyotes chasing road runners.  And although you’re not likely to see too many coyotes and road runners, one thing you will be blessed with is seemingly endless miles of roads and trails for exploring on your mountain bike.

There is a fully-paved scenic drive that transects the park which is over 22 miles in length (45 miles round trip).  This is a great option for those who want to get a nice sampling of all that the park has to offer.  You will pass by some of the parks most notable features such as Park Avenue, Garden of Eden, Three Gossips and the impressive Great Wall.

One spot you do not want to pass up is the Windows Section of the park.  Here you will gaze through red rock frames over miles of burning desert towards the cool snow capped peaks in the far distance.  There are several significant arches in this section that demand your attention, and they are each just a short hike from the road.

At the far end of the scenic drive, you will find Devils Garden.  The south end of Devils Garden contains 12 of the 25 largest arches in the park including Landscape Arch which is the longest arch in the world, spanning over 300 feet in length.  The massive size of Landscape Arch makes it difficult to photograph, but if you would like to try it, you should plan to be there early in the morning when the suns light is best positioned and you will need a wide angle lens.

Some of the other popular biking trails in the park include: Gemini Bridge (13.5 miles); Hurrah Pass (33.0 miles); and Slickrock, the most demanding trail in the park (9.6 miles).

To learn more about all the activities and lodging options available at Arches National Park, visit http://www.NationalParkReservations.com/arches.htm

Glacier’s extensive variety of beautiful scenery, diversity of terrain and relative isolation from any major population centers has allowed Glacier Park to become one of the most popular national parks in the country amongst hikers, mountain bikers , and all around outdoor adventurers.  More than 700 miles of trails provide seemingly endless opportunities for men and women who are looking to leave the developed world behind and escape into the pristine beauty of Mother Nature.

For those who prefer motor power over foot power, Glacier Park is the home to one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in the continental United States.  The Going-to-the-Sun-Road could easily be considered the eight wonder of the world.  Etched right into the side of some of the most rugged and intimidating glacier-carved peaks that North America has to offer, this fifty-plus mile stretch of highway provides some of the most spectacular vistas and panoramas that you will ever see.

A great way to enjoy Going-to-the-Sun-Road without the stress and hassle of driving, or even spending any money on gas, is to take advantage of Glacier’s new public transit system which provides free shuttle trips across the entirety of the Going-to-the-Sun-Road.  The shuttles run approximately every half-hour and make several stops at popular scenic spots and destinations along the way.  This is the perfect option for those who want to sit back, relax, and leave the driving to someone else.

With more than 1.4 million acres of pristine scenery, wildlife and adventure, Glacier National Park is a vacation destination which will be hard to leave, and impossible to forget.  For more details on Glacier National Park and the activities and lodging options that are available, please visit http://www.NationalParkReservations.com/glacier.htm