National Parks Master Thread

[Something Fishy]

The scenery seemed like I can find the same in the Catskills/Adirondacks without having to travel to Maine.

Inland, maybe. But along the coast is spectacular.

[cgr]

Inland, maybe. But along the coast is spectacular.

Agreed. The view at the top of precipice trail is nothing like the Adirondacks... (here it is: 1, 2, 3, 4.)

[Kobe Bryant]

I get the first three, as I did them as well. I was actually looking into Acadia recently but couldn't find any "jaw-dropping" sceneries that I've gotten so used to seeing in the southwest NPs or Canadian Rockies. The scenery seemed like I can find the same in the Catskills/Adirondacks without having to travel to Maine.

Obviously this is all very subjective, but wouldn't mind to be shown information than can perhaps convince me otherwise.

Will definitely have to write a TR to change that perception.

[Iz]

Agreed. The view at the top of precipice trail is nothing like the Adirondacks... (here it is: 1, 2, 3, 4.)

Gorgeous. Imagine that view in the fall.

[Traveler718]

PSA: The Precipice Trail in Acadia is normally closed until mid-August due to endangered birds that nest there. A much more accessible alternative is the Beehive Trail, which we enjoyed immensely.

[Kobe Bryant]

PSA: The Precipice Trail in Acadia is normally closed until mid-August due to endangered birds that nest there. A much more accessible alternative is the Beehive Trail, which we enjoyed immensely.

The Peregrine falcon.
Let us hope they even open by mid August.

[Der Deutsche Jude]

Agreed. The view at the top of precipice trail is nothing like the Adirondacks... (here it is: 1, 2, 3, 4.)

Wouldnt do Precipice with kids under the age of ten though.

[Something Fishy]

Montana lifting quarantine restrictions on June 1. Yellowstone NP has stated that the reason only the WY entrances to to the park have opened is due to the MT quarantine, so this likely means that all entrances - and, I assume, all roads - will be open by that time.

https://nbcmontana.com/news/coronavirus/gov-bullock-to-address-phase-2-of-reopening

[whYME]

Montana lifting quarantine restrictions on June 1. Yellowstone NP has stated that the reason only the WY entrances to to the park have opened is due to the MT quarantine, so this likely means that all entrances - and, I assume, all roads - will be open by that time.

https://nbcmontana.com/news/coronavirus/gov-bullock-to-address-phase-2-of-reopening

The West Yellowstone entrance is open in the winter so I'm not sure this means all roads are opening.

[Something Fishy]

The West Yellowstone entrance is open in the winter so I'm not sure this means all roads are opening.

How does that impact anything? At the moment only the lower loop is open. They want to open the other entrances but MT didn't let - which is changing now. And you can't have the three MT gates open without opening pretty much all the roads as well.

[whYME]

How does that impact anything? At the moment only the lower loop is open. They want to open the other entrances but MT didn't let - which is changing now. And you can't have the three MT gates open without opening pretty much all the roads as well.

My point was that they can open up from Montana without opening the whole park. It's possible that parts are still closed for the winter.
 The first time I went there was right around this time of year (actually a week or two later IIRC) and it wasn't fully open for the season. I don't remember all the details but the Beartooth highway was definitely still closed. (Yes I know that's not part of the park)

[Something Fishy]

My point was that they can open up from Montana without opening the whole park. It's possible that parts are still closed for the winter.
 The first time I went there was right around this time of year (actually a week or two later IIRC) and it wasn't fully open for the season. I don't remember all the details but the Beartooth highway was definitely still closed. (Yes I know that's not part of the park)

I see what you mean.

See here with official estimates for road openings - the latest is June 5th (of course this was pre-covid though). Personally, the most important road for me is one that is normally open all winter regardless - from the N entrance to the NE one through the Lamar Valley. As soon as MT opens up I assume this road will officially reopen again.

As far as the Beartooth Highway, that's currently under around 5 feet of snow and being dug out. They expect to have it clear in a few days.

[Der Deutsche Jude]

Montana lifting quarantine restrictions on June 1. Yellowstone NP has stated that the reason only the WY entrances to to the park have opened is due to the MT quarantine, so this likely means that all entrances - and, I assume, all roads - will be open by that time.

https://nbcmontana.com/news/coronavirus/gov-bullock-to-address-phase-2-of-reopening

but is there going to be an enforced quarantine on out of state residents?

[Something Fishy]

but is there going to be an enforced quarantine on out of state residents?

No, that's exactly what they're lifting.

[SSLPhD]

No, that's exactly what they're lifting.

At least one national park is not having any transportation, lodging, or concessions, and requires people to be entirely self-sufficient.  So even if you do go, it won't be easy.

[Traveler718]

Which NP are you referring to?

[Galitzyaner]

As far as the Beartooth Highway, that's currently under around 5 feet of snow and being dug out. They expect to have it clear in a few days.

Wow, never knew. Pretty cool. 

At least one national park is not having any transportation, lodging, or concessions, and requires people to be entirely self-sufficient.  So even if you do go, it won't be easy.

Transportation is a problem if it's a park that has sections that can only be accessed via shuttle bus (e.g. Zion, GC etc.). As for the rest? Big deal. I'd guess most of us don't usually rely on/use those services anyhow. I for one, don't. Though restrooms are helpful .

[Kobe Bryant]

Wow, never knew. Pretty cool. 
Transportation is a problem if it's a park that has sections that can only be accessed via shuttle bus (e.g. Zion, GC etc.). As for the rest? Big deal. I'd guess most of us don't usually rely on/use those services anyhow. I for one, don't. Though restrooms are helpful .

Agreed.
AFIK restrooms are open.

[Galitzyaner]

Somewhat concerning that AZ, WY, ID, & FL are seeing a rise in cases .

Don't wanna plan travel only to arrive to new rules in place (though FL [at least officially] still requires quarantine for out-of-state arrivals).

[SSLPhD]

Transportation/concessions are essential in some NPs, and greatly enhance a visit in others, e.g.,  Biscayne, Channel Islands, Denali, Dry Tortugas, Glacier Bay, Isle Royale, Kenai Fjords, Voyageurs.