Hiking

Superintendent Name:

Eddie Lopez

Welcome to Bryce Canyon, famous for its unique geology consisting of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. Check out eerie, grotesque and often whimsical hoodoos in the park, along with ancient trees and scenic views from the rim. The park transcends 2,000 feet of elevation and exists in three distinct climatic zones: Spruce/Fir Forest, Ponderosa Pine forest, and Pinyon Pine/Juniper Forest. Scientists and children alike can enjoy this magical park!

Park Acreage:

35835

Highest Point:

Rainbow Point

Highest Point Elevation:

9105 feet

Visitor Count:

890676

Visitor Count Year Recorded:

2006

Has Volunteer Program:

Yes

Has Recycling:

Yes

Has Shuttle System:

Yes

Park Sights:

Bryce Amphitheater; Paunsaugunt Plateau; Queen's Garden; Sinking Ship; Silent City; Wall Street; Fairyland Canyon; Thor's Hammer; The Alligator; The Sentinel, and Queen Victoria

Endangered Species:

Utah Prairie Dog; California Condor; Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

Entrance Fees:

Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $25; Individual Pass - $12; Bryce Canyon National Park Annual Pass: $30

Nearest Major City:

Tropic, UT

Gateway Communities:

Bryce Canyon, UT; Tropic, UT; Cannonville, UT; Henrieville, UT

Nearby Airports:

Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS); Salt Lake City International Airport, UT (SLC); Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC); Saint George Municipal Airport (SGU)

Big Bend National Park

Superintendent Name:

William Wellman

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:

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)

Arches National Park

Superintendent Name:

Laura Joss

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:

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)

Acadia National Park

Superintendent Name:

Sheridan Steele

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)