Spring is here, and that means it’s a good time to start thinking about what adventures you’ll be taking this year! If you’re the “outdoorsy” type, our Adventure Travel Specialist at LVT, Scott Strubbe, has weighed in with a handful of great travel suggestions just for you. Enjoy!
“For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s no better place to look for an adventure than our U.S. National Parks. In addition to the opportunities to connect with nature and experience some of the most amazing scenery and wildlife, our National Parks offer:
- Great hiking trails for all skill and endurance levels
- Water, water, water… kayaking, rafting, and fishing opportunities aplenty
- Lodging (just because you’re spending the day in a National Park doesn’t mean you need to sleep in a tent; most of the parks offer an array of lodging options, many in beautiful historic buildings)
- Ranger lead programs with fun and informative sessions to get the most out of your park experience
- A Junior Ranger Program to keep kids active and involved all day long
So the next question is… where to start? With so many great parks, it’s important to consider what is of most importance and interest to you for your vacation. Scroll down for a few of my favorite destinations in the National Park System!”
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK – WASHINGTON
This National Park features three ecosystems in one park – the Hoh and Quinault Rainforests, the rugged Pacific coast (Ruby Beach looks like something out of a movie), and the mountains – the colorful vistas of Hurricane Ridge are wonderful! A perfect trip to pair with Mount Rainier National Park (Washington) and a visit to the great city of Seattle (Starbucks, anyone?).
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK – MONTANA
This is a place you’ll want to visit before its namesake glaciers are gone one day. With one million acres of protected land filled with beautiful lakes and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery anywhere, Glacier offers plenty of space to spread out and feel like you’ve got a piece of the park all to yourself. The nearby town of Whitefish, MT is the ideal place to relax and enjoy a great meal after a day of exploring.
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK – WYOMING
This destination sits just south of the more famous Yellowstone National Park (which spans Wyoming and parts of Montana and Idaho). Considering how close the two parks are in proximity, their landscapes are extremely different, making a combination trip to both parks all the more appealing. Experience both the beauty of the jagged Teton Range up close, as well as the geysers, hot springs, and abundant wildlife in Yellowstone. Jackson, WY is situated just south of Grand Teton and can serve as the perfect luxury base camp for your adventures.
NATIONAL PARK TOURS – OUR LOYAL TRAVEL PARTNERS
We have strong relationships with many great companies who specialize in custom trips through the National Parks, including American Excursionist and MT Sobek. A personalized custom trip with these companies includes the knowledge of a local guide, convenient priority access to certain locations within the parks, the ability to avoid crowds with their expertise of where to go and when, and so much more. These partners that we work with do an outstanding job of providing an unforgettable National Parks experience for our mutual guests.
We look forward to helping you plan your National Parks adventure!
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