It’s rare to visit a place that’s every bit as awe inspiring as all the hype you’ve read leading up to it.  But Big Bend National Park’s 3 totally different ecosystems, the Chihuahuan Desert, Chisos Mountains and Rio Grande River Oasis ecosystems,  offer the chance to explore and enjoy the dry hot desert, the cool lofty mountains and the lush green river basins all in one day.  Or preferably more!

12 Essentials Before Visiting Big Bend National Park – Know Before You Go is even more critical in such an extreme remote environment!

Top 10 Fun FREE Things to do in Big Bend National Park

Best Campsite in Big Bend National Park

Only one day to spend in Yellowstone National Park? Here’s our recommended loop to ensure seeing the don’t miss highlights.

Is Theodore Roosevelt National Park the USA’s premier place to view wildlife?

Tips on how to find the best campsite in a first come first serve national park. And our Top 10 Experiences at Capitol Reef!

Garden of the Gods is not just in Colorado! Lots of hiking & fun in the Shawnee National Forest!

Hoping to hike & camp in Banff National Park, Jasper National Park & Glacier National Park (Canadian, not US) …

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia

Maybe next summer?  Hang in there 2006 Toyota 4 Runner!  We’ve got some exploring to do along with our Lance travel trailer!

Being flatlanders with our #Lance 1685 at the dealer, we decided to visit #Lance friends in Montana … specifically, Glacier National Park.   Unfortunately, there are many wildfires burning in the Northwestern US.

So what to do?  Do we sit at “home” with our friends in Whitefish, MT and moan and groan about the wildfires and smoke that cause less than ideal air quality and scenic beauty?  Or do we jump in the truck, head for wherever seemed likely to be less impacted?  Guess which we chose!   🙂  Join us!

Despite Wildfires: Glacier National Park Overview

Lance 1885:  Camping with CLOSE Friends! (under construction)

Iceberg Lake Hike – where’d the icebergs go?

Grinnell Glacier Hike – did you know glaciers are an endangered species?

Scary Moose Encounter!!!

Idyllic Hidden Lake Hike  … don’t mistake the “tourist” trail behind the Logan Visitor Center as a hike not worth  your time, even if you’re a “serious” hiker!

Piegan Pass to Many Glacier Hike  — a “geezerheikin’ adventure” – an endurance hike for those of us flatlanders, but the views of the famous Garden Wall and Morning Eagle Falls are not to be missed … and stuffing myself with huckleberries seemed like a good idea at the time … coming soon!

Sometimes places you have no interest to see turn out to be the most interesting! Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

An experience like no other … Chaco Canyon … two hours or more from anywhere. Camp there? We did.

After spending time at the Grand Canyon, it was fun to see Zion National Park’s canyons primarily from the bottom up as opposed to from the top down.  Both are amazing, but we really enjoyed Zion’s mix of top down scenic drives and hiking in the canyonlands.  Photos & more details in these posts:

The Best Campsite in Zion National Park, Watchman Campground

Good Morning Zion.  While in Zion, get up early, take the bus and watch the sunrise light the peaks behind the museum.  We were even treated to a bunch (herd?) of wild turkeys primping in the glass wall of the museum.

Off the Beaten Path:  Hike to Checkerboard Mesa Arch, Zion National Park.   When you’re tired of single files eager hikers lining the most popular trail, ask the park rangers for somewhere to escape the crowds!  Checkerboard Mesa Arch was our choice, although there’s no marked trail so be prepared to hike backcountry.

10 Tips on Reserving the Best Campsites in the Most Popular National Parks.  Crucial tips on how to get the best campsites in popular national parks.

Zion Virgin River Emerald Waters.  One of the best hikes in Zion Nat’l Park is “The Narrows” where you wade up the Virgin River in the emerald waters enjoying the slot canyon and magnificent scenery.  Unfortunately when we were there it was early spring, the water was freezing and we were wimps.  But we did the hike along the river up to the canyon narrows.

Three miles offshore, accessible only by boat or ferry, lies Cape Lookout National Seashore. Relaxing, climbing the famous lighthouse, enjoying the beaches of Shackleford Banks along with the wild horses and visiting Portsmouth historical village.

Sixteen miles of pristine windswept beaches on this barrier island famous for sun, sand and serenity. Ocracoke village, a fishing village at the southern end of the island features diverse variety: the national park visitors center, a museum, good local restaurants & bars (no chains allowed), artsy shops as well as t-shirt shops, the Outer Banks oldest lighthouse and the point where Blackbeard the pirate was beheaded. What’s your favorite?

Gallantly standing guard over one of the most ominous coastlines in the world … four iconic lighthouses…

Sweeping, deserted beaches, towering sand dunes, some of the coolest lighthouses I’ve ever seen … yes, you could say I love Cape Hatteras National Seashore!

With stunning vistas, whitewater rafting, miles of hiking trails, deserted railroad towns, historic coal mines, history … and more… New River Gorge National River deserves more than an overnight stop. The National Park/River we almost missed!

The Park We Almost Missed: New River Gorge National Park (click here)