Topic Wiki

Something Fishy's map:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1t0gaXyBTxpMw1mf_pda3ZLnnNxZv0Gfm&usp=sharing


Acronym Guide:

NHP: National Historic Park
NHS: National Historic Site
NM: National Monument
NMP: National Military Park
NP:  National Park
NRA: National Recreation Area
NS: National Seashore





Author Topic: National Parks Master Thread  (Read 72873 times)

Offline Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8710
  • Total likes: 6078
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #80 on: May 17, 2020, 01:29:49 PM »
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.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline cgr

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2017
  • Posts: 4378
  • Total likes: 1320
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #81 on: May 17, 2020, 01:48:28 PM »
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.)




Offline Kobe Bryant

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2017
  • Posts: 3764
  • Total likes: 2280
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #82 on: May 17, 2020, 02:20:52 PM »
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.

Offline Iz

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 7001
  • Total likes: 460
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #83 on: May 17, 2020, 02:50:09 PM »
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.

Offline Traveler718

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1220
  • Total likes: 693
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #84 on: May 17, 2020, 02:54:17 PM »
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.

Offline Kobe Bryant

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2017
  • Posts: 3764
  • Total likes: 2280
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #85 on: May 17, 2020, 03:27:36 PM »
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.

Offline Der Deutsche Jude

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2016
  • Posts: 934
  • Total likes: 46
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn, NY
  • Programs: AA, CA, FAA, GA, NA, OA, WA
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #86 on: May 17, 2020, 05:54:00 PM »
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.

Offline Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8710
  • Total likes: 6078
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #87 on: May 20, 2020, 01:13:50 PM »
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
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline whYME

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 3213
  • Total likes: 1241
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #88 on: May 20, 2020, 01:16:36 PM »
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.

Offline Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8710
  • Total likes: 6078
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #89 on: May 20, 2020, 01:32:21 PM »
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.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline whYME

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 3213
  • Total likes: 1241
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #90 on: May 20, 2020, 02:53:23 PM »
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)

Offline Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8710
  • Total likes: 6078
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #91 on: May 20, 2020, 03:06:27 PM »
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.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Der Deutsche Jude

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2016
  • Posts: 934
  • Total likes: 46
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn, NY
  • Programs: AA, CA, FAA, GA, NA, OA, WA
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #92 on: May 20, 2020, 04:04:43 PM »
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?

Offline Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8710
  • Total likes: 6078
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #93 on: May 20, 2020, 04:08:47 PM »
but is there going to be an enforced quarantine on out of state residents?

No, that's exactly what they're lifting.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline SSLPhD

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2015
  • Posts: 764
  • Total likes: 276
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: My couch
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #94 on: May 20, 2020, 04:34:06 PM »
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.
44/50, 46/63

Offline Traveler718

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1220
  • Total likes: 693
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #95 on: May 21, 2020, 12:02:55 AM »
Which NP are you referring to?

Offline Galitzyaner

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 2961
  • Total likes: 119
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #96 on: May 21, 2020, 12:10:15 AM »
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 ::) .

Offline Kobe Bryant

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2017
  • Posts: 3764
  • Total likes: 2280
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #97 on: May 21, 2020, 09:45:02 AM »
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.

Offline Galitzyaner

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 2961
  • Total likes: 119
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #98 on: May 21, 2020, 01:38:44 PM »
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).

Offline SSLPhD

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2015
  • Posts: 764
  • Total likes: 276
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: My couch
Re: Which US national parks have you been to? Which was your favorite?
« Reply #99 on: May 21, 2020, 01:51:45 PM »
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.
44/50, 46/63