Hiking

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison's unique and spectacular landscape was formed slowly by the action of water and rock abrading down through hard Proterozoic crystalline rock. No other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths offered by the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. With a plethora of recreational activities, including hiking and ranger guided programs, there are many ways to experience Black Canyon.

Park Open Info: 

North Rim - mid-April; South Rim - Year-round

Park Closed Info: 

North Rim - late November; South Rim - Year-round

Park Acreage: 

32950

Highest Point: 

Poison Spring Hill (inholding)

Highest Point Elevation: 

9040 feet

Visitor Count: 

160450

Visitor Count Year Recorded: 

2006

Has Volunteer Program: 

Yes

Has Recycling: 

Yes

Has Shuttle System: 

No

Park Sights: 

Gunnison River; The Painted Wall

Endangered Species: 

American Peregrine Falcon; Gray Wolf; Columbian White-tailed Deer

Entrance Fees: 

Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $15; Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $7; Black Canyon Annual Pass: $30

Nearest Major City: 

Montrose, CO

Gateway Communities: 

Montrose, CO; Crawford, CO; Cimarron, CO; Olathe, CO; Hotchkiss, CO

Nearby Airports: 

Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ); Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC); Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)

READ MORE

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park encompasses more than 800,000 acres in southwest Texas. Sometimes considered "three parks in one," Big Bend includes mountain, desert, and river environments. In just an hour you can drive from the banks of the Rio Grande to a mountain basin nearly a mile high. Come and explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States, and experience unmatched sights, sounds, and solitude.

Park Acreage: 

801163

Highest Point: 

Emory Peak

Highest Point Elevation: 

7825 feet

Visitor Count: 

298717

Visitor Count Year Recorded: 

2006

Has Volunteer Program: 

Yes

Has Recycling: 

Yes

Has Shuttle System: 

No

Park Sights: 

Rio Grande River; Langford Hot Springs; Boquillas Hot Springs; Castolon; Johnson's Ranch; Mariscal Mine; The Commache Trail; Glenn Springs; Cooper's Store

Endangered Species: 

Black-capped Vireo; Mexican Long-nosed Bat; Big Bend Gambusia; Rio Grande Silvery Minnow; Chisos Hedgehog Cactus.

Entrance Fees: 

Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $20; Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $10; Big Bend Park Annual Pass (valid for one year after date of purchase): $40; Children 15 years old and under : Free

Nearest Major City: 

El Paso, TX

Gateway Communities: 

Marathon, TX; Alpine, TX; Terlingua, TX; Lajitas, TX

Nearby Airports: 

Midland-Odessa Regional Airport (MAF); El Paso International Airport (ELP)

READ MORE

Arches National Park

Arches National Park contains the greatest density of natural arches in the world! Millions of years of deposition, erosion and other geologic events have created over 2,000 natural windows, pinnacles, spires, strangely shaped rocks, and sandstone arches. The world-famous Delicate Arch is among these formations. The extraordinary features of the park create a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures that is unlike any other in the world.

Park Acreage: 

76359

Highest Point: 

Elephant Butte

Highest Point Elevation: 

5653 feet

Visitor Count: 

833049

Visitor Count Year Recorded: 

2006

Has Volunteer Program: 

Yes

Has Recycling: 

Yes

Has Shuttle System: 

No

Park Sights: 

Fiery Furnace; Wolfe Ranch; Delicate Arch

Endangered Species: 

Colorado Pikeminnow; Razorback Sucker; Humpback Chub; Bonytail Chub; Southwest Willow Flycatcher

Entrance Fees: 

Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $10; Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $5; Local Passport (valid for 1 year and applies to Arches, Canyonlands, Natural Bridges and Hovenweep): $25

Nearest Major City: 

Moab, UT

Gateway Communities: 

Moab, UT; Thompson, UT; Cisco, UT

Nearby Airports: 

Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY); Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)

READ MORE

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park, located on the rock-bound Maine island of Mount Desert, is full of soaring cobblestone beaches, sand, and soaring granite cliffs. Glacier-carved mountains rear up from the sea, cupping deep lakes in their valleys. Meadowlands, marshes and dense evergreen forests also thrive in the park. The ocean makes its presence felt with sights, sounds and smells that abound in the park.

Park Acreage: 

47400

Highest Point: 

Cadillac Mountain

Highest Point Elevation: 

1528 feet

Visitor Count: 

2083588

Visitor Count Year Recorded: 

2006

Has Volunteer Program: 

Yes

Has Recycling: 

Yes

Has Shuttle System: 

Yes

Park Sights: 

Carriage Roads; Sieur de Monts Spring Area; Thunder Hole; Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse; Islesford Historical Museum; Cadillac Mountain; Park Loop Road

Endangered Species: 

Peregrine Falcon

Entrance Fees: 

Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $20; Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $5; Annual Pass: $40

Nearest Major City: 

Bar Harbor, ME

Gateway Communities: 

Hulls Cove, ME; Bar Harbor, ME; Salsbury Cove, ME; Seal Harbor, ME; Northeast Harbor, ME; Islesford, ME

Nearby Airports: 

Hancock County Airport (BHB); Bangor International Airport (BGR)

READ MORE