Swimming
Capitol Reef, Waterpocket Fold, Land of the Sleeping Rainbow—all are colorful names to describe a park with many striking characteristics.
Waterpocket Fold, the main feature of the park, is the name of a 100-mile-long fold in the earth's surface. This uplift contains innumerable eroded basins or pockets that hold thousands of gallons of rainwater. These pockets of water have affected the history of humanity within the park and the flora and fauna of the region.
Entering the park from the west gives the most impressive view of the 1,000-foot-high stone barrier into which erosive forces have sculpted fascinating canyons, mesas, buttes and mazes. Once in the park, other astonishing panoramas await you.
Within a short distance of the visitor center, you will see Capitol Dome, Chimney Rock, the Goosenecks and the Egyptian Temple. Hickman Bridge, the Golden Throne and Capitol Gorge reward you after easy to moderate hikes. Prehistoric petroglyphs, the Fruita Schoolhouse, the Gifford Farmhouse and the Behunin Cabin speak of bygone eras and can be reached by car. The 20-mile round-trip Scenic Drive will take you past the Ripple Rock Nature Center and many of the park's features.
If you are seeking a remote wilderness experience, Capitol Reef has it. To the north of Route 24, dirt roads, which generally require high-clearance or 4-wheel-drive vehicles, lead into the park's north end through the heart of Cathedral Valley, an area of monolithic formations of Entrada and Curtis sandstones, some of which are 500 feet high. South of Route 24, graded roads, usually suitable for high-clearance vehicles, lead into some very fine hiking country. Besides good hiking opportunities, the southern part of the park also offers spectacular views of the folded strata of Capitol Reef and the Henry Mountains. Muley Twist Canyon is in the southern end of the park, as is Brimhall Bridge. Check with a park ranger before setting out for any of these more remote locations. Weather conditions may make the roads slick and impassable.
While Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, the Lodge itself is only open from the end of May typically (it is scheduled to open 5/26 in 2010) through mid-October. The lodge is closed for this season
Crater Lake receives A LOT of snow up into the spring season and starting again in early fall. So, if your vehicle is prepared for it, snowy months can be beautiful times to explore the park. Just make sure to check ahead that the roads have been plowed. The "Rim Road" is usually in pretty good shape for most of the year.
There is no van or shuttle directly to the lodge. For reservations or more information call Xanterra at (888) 774-2728.
Have a great trip!
Also check out the recommendations on our Sights to See and Things to Do pages. Our Only ad Day and Just for Kids sections will also have some good tips!
Lastly, check out this list of 22 fun things to do with kids!
We hope you have a great trip! Be sure to come back and let us know how it goes!
As of now, firearms are not allowed in national parks.
Although a new law permitting concealed loaded firearms at national parks was passed in May, it will not take effect until February. The Interior Department will continue to enforce current restrictions until then.
Under the current regulation, firearms are generally prohibited in national parks, but citizens may transport unloaded and dismantled or cased firearms and carry firearms while participating in approved hunting programs and under certain other circumstances, according to a Department of Interior spokesperson.
Please remember that firearms regulations may vary by park. Check with the National Park Service or the park you plan to visit before your trip for most up-to-date information.
For more information, see the NPS Great Smoky Laws & Policies website.
Yes, grills are available at picnic areas throughout Nyack Beach State Park.
For more information about the facilities, visit the New York State Parks website.
At Glacier National Park, a great place to take a dip (if you can handle the cold) is Iceberg Lake! The trail to the lake leaves from the campground in the Many Glacier section of the park.
For Wyoming and Grand Teton swimming holes, check out our answer to a question asked by another user earlier this summer.
Some great places for swimming in Wyoming include Hot Springs State Park (http://www.ohranger.com/wy/hot-springs) in Thermopolois, and Edness K. Wilkins State Park (http://www.ohranger.com/wy/edness-k-wilkins) along the North Platte River. <br/> <br/> While swimming in Yellowstone’s hot springs is forbidden, there are a few other places in and around the park that are popular swimming areas. These include Firehole Canyon, near Madison Junction, (http://family.go.com/travel/things-to-do/wyoming/yellowstone--park/poi-282404-firehole-canyon-drive-firehole-lake-drive/) and Boiling River, north of Mammoth Hot Springs. (http://family.go.com/travel/things-to-do/wyoming/yellowstone--park/poi-282411-boiling-river/)<br/> <br/> WyoJones, a Yellowstone buff, also gives some good advice about Wyoming swimming holes here: http://www.wyojones.com/swimming_in_yellowstone.htm. <br/> <br/> For more information about swimming holes across the country, check out http://www.swimmingholes.org/.
