It's worth noting that only the more frequented South Rim remains open in the winter, while the North Rim closes due to its higher altitude. This may disappoint some visitors, but the unique winter landscapes with fewer tourists more than make up for

As at the time of writing the Mariposa Grove is open to the public. Normally there is a free shuttle bus running from the parking lot to the entrance to the grove. But as of the time of writing that service has been suspended. Updates are on the National Park Service's websi

The park is open year-round. Certain areas will be closed off during the wintertime and have rough weather conditions. The best time to hike is between May and September because of the good weather. Most of the trails are closed during the winter months due to s

In the winter, the deciduous leaves have long since disappeared, and while the forest itself may be less appealing, the new vistas opened up are incredibly rewarding. The Spring is a time of rejuvenation and one can take in a parade of wildflowers and flowering trees decorating the p

Other costs, like rental cars, food, and park admission remain the same throughout the year. Winter visitors may even find that they have fewer options since some restaurants and shops open only seasona

Two of the (still living) trees in the grove have been shaped by the innumerable fires that have swept through the area through the decades. The Clothespin tree's truck is nearly severed by the repeated fires creating a space large enough for a pickup truck to drive through. While the Telescope Tree has been completely hollowed out from the fires - one can walk in, look up and see the

There are other reasons as well to plan a winter trip to this awe-inspiring crevice carved by the Colorado River. For one, hotels are cheaper in down season in Grand Canyon Village and tourists will enjoy cool temperatures (instead of scorching sun). Read on to find out more about visiting the Grand Canyon during the "secret seas

The hiking trails in Yosemite are very popular, which means they can get extremely crowded throughout the year. It is best to make reservations and advanced arrangements, especially for those who wish to seek the assistance of gui

While horses may be more iconic of the American West, the humble mule is the animal of choice for such a trek. In fact, the iconic painting by Jacques-Louis David of Napoleon crossing the Alps on a noble white horse was propaganda. Napoleon actually crossed on a mule. Mules combine sure-footedness with the strength of a ho

While many adventurers love exploring the Grand Canyon through hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, river rafting, or biking, others prefer enjoying those incredibly scenic views from the comfort and safety of the Grand Canyon Railw

Another famous tree was the Wawona Tree. It had a tunnel cut through it that was large enough for horse-drawn carriages and early cars to drive through. However, the tunnel weakened it and it fell in a storm in 1

Another South Rim option is Grand Canyon Apache Stables . While their website may be little more than a single page, they are a great option for short tours on the South Rim if one can't book with Grand Canyon Lod

The Yosemite National Park is a popular destination for outdoor activities like nature hiking game patch notes|https://naturetrailinsight.com/, camping, and rock climbing. Yosemite National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and 95% of the park is considered to be wilderness. It draws crowds from all around the world with its natural beauty and fun activities. In recent years, the park management has required visitors to make reservations prior to going to Yosemite to control the incoming cro

Imagine looking at an enormous layer cake--300 miles long--alternately bathed in white icing and stunning carrot orange. That's what it's like to visit Arizona's Grand Canyon in winter after a snowfall. It's an experience that everyone should h

The Great Smoky Mountains have a plethora of options when it comes to hiking trails. One can choose from trails leading to waterfalls, through old-growth forests, and trails with endless views. If one is planning on a multi-day backpacking trip, then reservations and permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcoun

This is an 8-mile round trip hike on the famous Appalachian Trail and one that boasts some of the best views of the park at Charlies Bunion. The Appalachian Trail in its entirety is some 2,190 miles long stretching from Maine to Georgia. It is one of the longest hiking-only trails in the world. Perhaps if one hikes on the trail here in the park for long enough it will whet one's appetite to do a full AT-Through h

The Giant Sequoia trees of Yosemite National Park are one of the most famous attractions of the park and a must-see. The famous Mariposa Grove is located just out of the Yosemite Valley right by the entrance to the p

It is situated along the Sierra Nevada in Northern California and spans up to 1,189 square miles of land. Thousands of lakes, ponds, and streams can be found within this park. There are over 800 miles (1,300 km) of hiking trails that allow visitors to see views of the mountains, glaciers, meadows, granite cliffs, and waterfa