Eye On Travel: National Parking in the USA: Happy Birthday Yogi Bear!

Yo kidding: Shouldn’t it be Jellostone?

This week has been the 100th anniversary of the United States National Parks Service who oversee 58 protected wilderness areas with over 20,000 permanent staff.

In a country that offers you A-List destinations from New York and Las Vegas to Florida and California, the national parks could easily be overlooked as destinations. They shouldn’t be. And anyway, they have their own list of celebrities who are famous already. And Jellystone Park really isn’t one of them!

Yellowstone: Dodgy Geyser

The very first national park was Yellowstone in Wyoming home to 10,000 thermal pools including hot water, bubbling mud and explosive geysers including the legendary Old Faithful which erupts approximately every 91 minutes. This volcanic region is also a vast home to forests, mountains and cold water lakes. And of course bears.

GET THERE: The park is open all year around but unless you are a fan if snow, avoid the winter. Accommodation is available in the park but gets booked up quickly - including the campsites. The nearest international airport is Salt Lake City (320miles) whilst Bozeman, Montana has a regional airport 80 miles away.

Rocky Mountain NP: The mountains are rocky

If mountains are your thing then head over the border to Colorado, home of the imaginatively named Rocky Mountain NP. Easily accessible there is something for all levels.

For the committed, this is also serious hiking country with 72 peaks over 12,000 feet covered by over 350 miles of trails. Wildlife includes bears, mountain lions and non singing chipmunks so don’t forget to zip the tent up properly if you are camping!

GET THERE: Open all year round, the altitude means that the high roads are only clear of snow from May-October. Bring warm clothes at all times - make it ski gear in mid winter as some of the best US skiing is in Colorado. International flights operate into Denver which is just 75 miles from the park and be aware of the effects of staying at high altitude.

Yosemite: Where’s Sam?

California is generally associated with beaches and Hollywood bling so get away from it all to the Sierra Nevada mountains and the stunning alpine wilderness of Yosemite National Park.

Ideal for hiking, fishing, rafting and climbing this is home to America's highest waterfall, granite monolith (El Capitan) and giant redwood trees that you can drive through. As well as bears so don’t leave any unopened jars of honey around.

GET THERE: Ideally visit in the summer when the roads are clear of snow (unless you are skiing at Mammoth Mountain). The nearest international airport is San Francisco (165 miles) and a summer only drive on to Los Angeles (280 miles) via the Highway 1 or Las Vegas (340 miles) via Death Valley is bucket list territory.

Grand Canyon? Yes it is

In nearby Arizona is probably the most famous park of all and you can visit it by air without even getting out. But where’s the fun in that? The Grand Canyon NP is a true wonder of the world. One mile deep and 18 miles wide it exceeds expectations.

It is also very popular so get away from the coach tours and helicopters by hiking down into the basin alongside the Colorado River. It is challenging terrain but worth it to get a real feeling for the place. No bears but keep an eye out for wily Coyotes. Camp out and go rafting before ascending back to reality.

GET THERE: The closest international airport is Las Vegas although this is still 275 miles away. Fly or drive there and preferably stay overnight to avoid the day trippers. It gets very hot in the summer and cold in the winter so plan ahead. Combine with a trip to Vegas or for serious road trip fans, there’s California via Death Valley or iconic Route 66 to Amarillo, if you can find the way.

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