Road Biking
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.
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!
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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.
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.
