I’ve been asked to share some travel information regarding great places I have hiked and visited (especially America’s National Parks).I have visited 22 countries and hiked in 43 of America’s 63 beautiful National Parks.
One of the first questions I am usually asked is which National Park is my favorite.
That is indeed a tough question for me to answer. All of the National Parks in America are beautiful, different, and fun to visit. All the towns that have popped up around the National Parks are also different and very interesting. My reply to most people regarding a trip to any National Park in America is how many days you plan to take on your vacation. I have my favorite list of parks to visit, depending on how many days I will travel. We love to stay a few days at each park we see and then move on to visit the next one. Some people stay an entire week at just one park. It is entirely up to you. We are not wilderness campers. We stay at local hotels in the towns around each National Park.

So stay tuned, head on over to Alma's Blog and enjoy! I will post a new trip each month. You may reach out to me here if you would like!

ALMA SUGGESTS: Before traveling to any National Park in America, check online to see if you need “Timed Entry Tickets.” If you do, you will need to purchase these tickets in advance online. 

They are not expensive; however, some of the more prominent, more crowded National Parks request a Timed Entry Ticket before they allow you to enter the Park. My husband and I are Seniors and, therefore, have the America the Beautiful Senior Pass. If you are 62 years or older, this pass is a must! You will save a lot of money by purchasing just one of these tickets that allows two people entrance into every National Park in America for a one-time fee. (Visit:  www.usparkpass.com). Then, I suggest that when you finally arrive at your National Park, please stop by the Visitor’s Center. The Park’s Visitor Center will have a lot of information for you, including paper maps that indicate “easy, moderate, and strenuous” trails you may want to hike if you so desire. If you are not a hiker, no problem! The maps are also an excellent way to determine where the various “viewpoint” areas are located within each Park. Some viewpoints are so easy to hike; they are also wheelchair accessible. 

You do not have to be a “hiker” to enjoy the National Parks in America! Also, the Park Rangers in each of the Parks are very friendly and are happy to help you if you have questions regarding a particular trail.

Also, if you plan to hike, please always wear proper attire. A good, comfortable pair of hiking shoes or “rough-soled” sneakers are a must! Do not wear flip-flops! And, before hiking any trail, take a backpack filled with power bars and plenty of water. 

We also include in our backpack: a flashlight, bug spray, duct tape, sunscreen, rain ponchos, a lightweight windbreaker jacket, a compass, some small rope, antiseptic to use for cuts, paper towels, bear spray (if you are in bear country!) and a small (sharp) pocketknife. We also wear hats and take hiking poles to help steady ourselves on rocky terrain and challenging trails. The hiking poles have been convenient in several National Parks we have hiked. Remember to be ready for anything out there in the wilderness. And, just for your information, do not rely on GPS on your cell phones.  Make sure you have a paper map with you at all times!  We have often noticed that our cell phones do not work because most of the National Parks are located in very remote areas. The only signals we have been able to get on our cell phones (in some parks) have been on the top of one of the mountains.