Bird Watching

There are lots of great places that you can go biking in national parks. Your decision on where to go will be impacted by geography, season and the type of biking you have in mind. OhRanger.com has a feature that lets you quickly find a nearby park that offers bicycling opportuniites, as well as an array of other fun things to do outdoors.  You'll find the feature on our new home page. Just enter your city/state or zip, how far you're willing to travel and then select "bicycling" from the "Things To Do" menu.  You'll find an array of choices for virtually anywhere in the country.  Once you decide on a location, you can ask more specific questions here, or use the site's contact information to call the park or concessionaire to get information to help plan your trip.   

If you're in New England, Acadia is a great bet for the miles of scenic bike paths that run along the old, crushed rock, carriage roads build by John D. Rockefeller. (Knobby tires are best!) You can also take your road bike out on the park's 27-mile Park Loop Road and, if you're in the mood for a workout, ride up to the top of Cadillac Mountain for a great panoramic view. It's the highest point on the eastern coast of the United States! 

If you're looking for an adventurous mountain bike ride out west, Canyonlands is home to the spectacular 100-mile White Rim Trail and has road bike options as well.  The list of great rides is endless: Shenandoah, Grand Tetons, Rocky Mountain, Glen Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone and many more all have fantastic scenery. Also, you may be interested to learn more about the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), which has been working to enhance mountain biking access in national parks and is a good source of information about mountain biking.  

Please come back and share your experiences by answering questions on OhRanger.com.  Have a fun ride!  

There are several parks where the bison (aka buffalo) roam. There are herds in the following national parks:

Theodore Roosevelt NP
Badlands National Park - reintroduced
Capitol Reef National Park - reintroduced
Grand Teton National Park
Wind Cave National Park - reintroduced
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park - introduced

Bison used to roam across the entire prairie and were extirpated from the following areas that are now part of the national park system:

Rocky Mountain National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park

Visitation to Grand Teton National Park peaks during the summer but is also extremely popular during the transition to fall. After Labor Day, total visitation ebbs slightly; however, the type of visitor is drastically different. With kids back in school, you'll find that there are families and more DINKs (Dual Income No Kids), recent college graduates, empty nesters and baby boomers.

Teton Village is home to many fine properties and you shouldn't have a problem finding a room if you book in advance. We have a few favorites:

Hotel Terra is the first of a line of green hotels launched by the Terra Resort Group, Hotel Terra Jackson Hole offers the exceptional amenities and services expected from boutique hotels, combined with environmentally sustainable building and operating practices. The property is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, placing it in an elite group of hotels in the United States. Hotel Terra pushes its efforts well beyond LEED criteria, however,  has taken a leadership role in defining eco-friendly efforts to preserve and protect the environment in its operations while still offering an opulent hotel experience for guests. Learn more about Hotel Terra and its commitment to the environment at www.hotelterrajacksonhole.com.

 Just around the corner from the Terra is the Snake River Lodge & Spa where you'll be warmly welcomed. The lodge, part of the Rock Resorts is rustically elegant and fits seamlessly with the Teton landscape. Recently renovated, Snake River Lodge & Spa boats beautifully appointed rooms and condomiums which will be a welcome retreat after a long day of hiking, skiing, golfing or exploring the Jackson Fall Arts Festival, which takes place from September 10-20 (www.jacksonholewy.com/events-fall-arts-festival.php). You'll look forward to relaxing in the property's indoor/outdoor heated pool, with cascading waterfalls, warmed walkways, a hot tub tucked into a steam-filled cave, and a sauna. Visit snakeriverlodge.rockresorts.com for more information.

Don't rule out staying in the park–Jenny Lodge is located across the water from majestic Cascade Canyon and offers an exclusive environment with 37 rustically elegant log cabins. The main lodge, a recently renovated log structure, has inviting sitting areas with books and games for guests to enjoy. As the only 4-diamond eco-resort in the Park, Jenny Lake Lodge is ideal for those who seek the finest service and lodging, while still enjoying a National Park vacation. Each of the rustically elegant cabin rooms are well appointed with hand-made quilts, down comforters, and unique Western charm. The cabins are open from early June to early October. Breakfast and dinner, along with horseback and bicycle riding, are included in the room rate. To book a room, visit http://www.gtlc.com/lodging/jenny-lake-lodge-overview.aspx

There is!  The Rookery is located on Benwah Lake, and to get there you would be in the vicinity of Highway 5.  Benwah Lake road is usually closed off to the public (which takes you to the rookery), so call park information if you are looking for more details.  The number is: (208) 686-1308.  

Some of our favorite things to do in Acadia are exploring the historic Carriage Roads and enjoying tasty popovers at Jordan Pond House.

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!

Yes, you can find out more about the animals in the park on our Yellowstone Flora & Fauna page. For checklists of  mammals and birds that live in the park, visit the NPS Yellowstone Wildlife page.

All Arizona State Parks provide accessible access to parking areas, visitor centers, restrooms, and picnic ramadas. For more information about specific facilities, special services or group access for people with disabilities, please contact the ADA Coordinator at (602) 364-0632. TTY service is available at (602) 542-4174.

More information is also available at www.AZStateParks.com.