Things to see and do Parcs nationaux américains

All of the practical and cultural information. Online reservation you a place in a campsite or one of the houses of the parks.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River extends over 38 kilometers, between the falls, upper and the mouth of the Lamar River. It reaches a depth of 60 to 245 meters and a width of 300 to 1,400 meters. In the upper part, where the throat is deepest and narrower, rocky walls offer beautiful tones ranging from yellow to orange and red brown.

Fine rock needles from erosion flow, isolated, depths, and sometimes a white vapor escapes from hot springs and geysers located at the bottom of the canyon. At the bottom, the Yellowstone River appears to be quiet. In fact, it mutates into rapids which, twice, rush into the depths of huge waterfalls: to the south, at the beginning of the canyon, the Upper Falls (33 meters high), and about 900 meters downstream the Lower Falls or Great Falls (94 meters high).

Canyonlands National Park was proclaimed a national park on September 12, 1964. With an area of 1 366 km 2 and three districts separated from each other by Colorado and the Green River, it is a huge territory whose different parts are visited fairly unevenly. The three districts are Island in the Sky, the Needles and The Maze. Each of them presents its own particularities and requires a particular organization. Exploration of the park on the waters of Colorado and Green River by boat is possible but requires at least two days of navigation.

The most famous geysers in Yellowstone are more frequent than other large geysers. The average interval between two rashes varies from 65 to 92 minutes. It lasts 1.5 to 5 ¾ minutes, expels 14 ¥ 000 to 32 ± 000 ¥ liters of boiling water and reaches heights of 30 to 55 ¾ meters. Although the average interval has elongated over the years due to earthquakes, Old Poli is always as spectacular and predictable as it was a century ago. The attraction is very popular, so wait not to be alone.

In Biscuits Basin, the mineral deposits formed, until the 1959 earthquake, as a stack of biscuits. The Sapphire Pool has been a geyser since 1955.

This is the Yellowstone area where geothermal demonstrations are hottest and most variable. Throughout the 4 ½ km of trails, we can discover the largest active geyser in the world (Steamboat Geyser, 90 to 120 meters) and the most acidic (Echinus Geyser, pH 3.5), hot springs of all colors and microscopic manifestations in one of the most important environments extremes of the earth. The Norris Museum describes the geological origins of the sources. From there there are two trails to safely observe the areas of Porcelain Basin and Back Basin. Arches, whistle vapors and stinging odors combine to create a unique environment. In Porcelain Basin, in an open setting, we walk amidst a high density of geothermal phenomena (hundreds) while in Back Basin, through wood, these phenomena are more dispersed. Exploration of the One Hundred Springs Plain area is discouraged without guide, because very acidic, rugged and without trails. Artist Paint Pots is a small, but pretty geothermal zone just south of Norris Junction. A walk of a mile in the surrounding area leads to very colorful hot springs, two large volcanoes and part of the forest burned in 1988. Other nearby areas, Sylvan Springs, Gibbon Hill Geyser Basin and Geyser Creek Thermal, are not advised without guidance.

South of Canyon Village, Hayden Valley is the bed of an old lake formed in the ice age. Its fatty herb and some swampy points attract abundant wildlife (bears, bison, elk) and birds (swans, herons, Canada geese).
It is one of the best places in the park to observe wildlife, including the grizzly bear that, in the spring and early summer, is looking for bison and elk babies. Large bison herds can be admired from spring to early fall. Coyotes notice in the valley. Birds abound along the river. There are many in the Alum Creek vases. America's white ducks, geese and pelicans swim on the river. You can also follow the flight of the white-headed eagle and the northern harrier falcon.

Artist Point offers an impressive view of the Upper waterfalls and Lower Falls. Panoramic path along the edge of the canyon directly. Of Canyon Village, Canyon Rim Scenic Road wins the north wall of Grand Canyon with several beautiful viewpoints including Lookout Point, from where a path to the foot of the canyon, and by a junction, Inspiration Point, from where you have a splendid view of the latter.

Like Rainbow Vista, this area offers beautiful views of the park and surrounding silica domes, including one in particular. It is reached by a 1 km envrion track that is part of Rainbow Vista.

There are three Visitor Centers, close to the park entrances. To the north, the Oasis visitor center located in the village of Twentynine Palms. In the west, the Joshua Tree visitor center located in the village of Johua Tree. To the south, Cottonwood Visitor Center is located 40 kilometres east of Indio's town.

They are the Mormon pioneers who named the region Capitol Reef, the rocky domes found recalling there as that of Capitol.

The Capitol Reef national park covers an area of 979 mi ², east of Dixie National Forest and Large Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and north of Glen Canyon national recreation Area. It was created to preserve Waterpocket Fold, a huge fold winds over 160 km from north to south. There are massive cliffs, rocky multi-coloured domes, winding canyons and impressive natural arches, as well as the raging waters of Fremont River.

The Scenic Drive which forks of Hwy 24 in Fruita, where farm built by the Mormons at the beginning of the 20th century, ends in a deep grand canyon and a grandiose landscape.

Guides of Scenic Drive as well as Cathedral Valley and Strike Valley are available to Visitor Center. Other unpaved road are accessible for 4x4 vehicles or peaks on wheel. Visitors will find at the visitor center from the menu or the guides and can get informed about the conditions of the slopes. It is possible to go on some tracks. A location and two primitive locations are in the park. Note that the magnificent orchard in Fruita is made available to visitors who can crunch its fruit there.

Yellowstone Lake (elevation 2,357 meters), one of the world's largest mountain lakes is traversed from the south to the north by the Yellowstone River. It measures 32 km in its longest length, 22.5 kilometers in its widest width. With 176 kilometers of banks, it covers a total area of 360 km ². Its maximum depth is 91 meters in West Thumb Bay. This fish lake, surrounded by high mountains, is the refuge of countless waterfowl.

It is frozen almost half of the year (from late December or early January to late May or early July), with ice thicknesses ranging from a few centimeters to more than 60 centimeters. Situated at an altitude of 2 ¾ 300 meters, the lake remains cold all year long; its average temperature is 5 ° C, the upper layer rarely exceeding 19 ° C. This lake has the largest population of North American 'ferocious trout'. Lake trout, an exotic species that is illegally introduced, threatens its existence. In the larger part there are three small islands: Frank Island, Dot Island and Stevenson Island. From West Thumb, following the north shore, the road leads to Lake (38 km). Lake Yellowstone Hotel dominates the lake and offers magnificent views of the Absaroka Range.

On the left, a 2.4 km road rises to Natural Bridge, a rock arch created by erosion.

The rangers distribute a map and a practical information log to the park. The Visitor Centers are located at the entrance or main parts of the park, in every re-establishment. It is essential to go back to the park in order to obtain canned brochures and all information on the park, i. e., hiking trails, hours of guided tours, closed roads, site activities (rash of geyyosis) serve)… You can also buy books and souvenirs there. Five centers are installed in Yellowstone.

It's a ranger. Ranger HQ is located near the Visitor Center.

Opening. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is open all year round, except on December 25 th. The schedules of the various services vary according to the months, with maximum opening, from 7:00 a. m. to 10:00 p. m. in August, and a minimum, from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. in winter. Lights take place from May 24 to August 14 at 9 p. m. and from August 15 to September 30 at 8 p. m. During the winter, the Audio Tour Building and Sculptor's Studio are closed.

Admission rates. No admission fee, but only a parking fee of US $ 10.

Post office and cash distributor. For mail and banks, you need to go to Rapid City (23 miles) or Hot Springs (50 miles).

Accessibility. Facing the main entrance, parking is reserved for disabled guests. Wheelchairs are made available to Information Center, but also «first come, first served». The amphitheater and Lincoln Borglum Museum, Sculptor's Studio, Presidents' Trails, Snack and Gift Shop are wheelchair accessible.

Toilets. Toilets are available at the Information Center, the Visitor Center and the Borglum Differentiation Terrace.

Ideal period. June, July and August are the months in which the park is most frequented. On July 3, Independence Day, there is a fireworks and the parking lot is complete in mid-morning.

Before going to explore the park, stop at the Visitor Center to take practical information on walks and different access.

Side of the dunes. You can walk freely on the dunes. If the climb is tough, the descent is obviously the most fun part. If you have a surfboard or bodyboard, or any other smooth surface, test the descent by sliding. Otherwise, you can always run and enjoy rolling in the sand. You will find that you will take a few minutes to steal what you have taken so long and effort to climb. Sunrise and sunrise are particularly magical moments at the top of the sand mountains overlooking the desert valley. The best places to consider are the High Dune and Star Dune.

The High Dune measures 200 meters and offers a beautiful panorama, however it is difficult to reach, about 4 kilometers round and 2:30 a. m., a large part of which is difficult. Star Dune is the highest dune in the park (230 meters) accessible within 4 hours and 10 kilometers of effort.

Mountain side. The mountain part of the park is ideal for viewing wildlife, you can make beautiful walks, including walks to the beautiful Lake of Sand Creek: Lower Sand Creek Lake (4.85 km), Upper Sand Creek Lake (5.6 km) or Little Sand Creek Lakes (12.8 kilometers).

Swimming in Medano Creek. When it is not dry (often the case in July and August), you can swim at the foot of the dunes in Medano Creek watercourse. Notable fact: sand formations create currents similar to waves in a sea.

Located only a few minutes from visitor center, Sulphur Works is one of the smallest geothermal areas in the park (but also the most accessible, visible from the sidewalk!). It combines both mud-mud and fumaroles, which escape from the suffering. Clay minerals, volcanic rocks and warm acid water give the earth almost irréelles colours ranging from yellow to red.

9 M deep canyon covered with ferns. The site recalls the prehistoric time so that several scenes from the film Jurassic Park were shot here.

A 40-meter waterfall of the Tower Creek, framed by eroded volcanic summits, it was described from the earliest voyages of Europeans to the Yellowstone region. His idyllic framework inspired many artists, including Thomas Moran, whose paintings presented to Congress played a decisive role in the creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872. Trails lead to scenic platforms at the top and bottom of cataract and near to Undercliff Springs in the Yellowstone River canyon. The Narrows is the narrowest passage of the Yellowstone River Gorge with the Calcite Springs, whose gypsum and limestone deposits cover the canyon wall (petrified tree remains).

Upper Geyser Basin covers a surface of about 10 km ², over 180 of the 200 (250) geysers of the park, including the largest and most impressive of the park, and many hot springs. A circuit, the Geyser Hill Nature Trail (starting at the Old Faithfull Full Geyser, approx. 2.5 km), allows you to admire the main geysers and other attractions. The five largest geysers are regularly submitted by the staff: Castle, Grand, Daisy, Riverside, Old Poli.

North-west of the Old Faithhole River, on the other side of the Firehole River, the Giantess Geyser, which runs irregularly up to 60 meters high for periods up to 36 hours, is reached. Nearby you can see the Boakettle boil water (kettle) and Geyser Sponge (sponge), which owes its name to the shape of its crater. Isolated, isolated, Solitary Geyser. Beyond the Desert Sponge, northwestern, Geysers Lion Group, Lioness, Big Club and Little Club.

The main road leads to Liberty Pool, Sawmill Geyser and Spasmodic Geyser. A path crossing the Firehole River allows you to go to Crested Pool and Castle Geyser, probably the oldest active source of the park.

The main trail then obtains to the Grand Geyser (jet of 60 meters high), which communicates with the close Turban Geyser. Later, Beauty Pool and Chromatic Pool are in turn. Then we cross the Firehole River again to reach Inkwell Springs near Giant Geyser, broken crater. Farther away, the Grotto Geyser, whose dome has several niches almost to man's height, leads to water jets.

Next, the trail runs along the bank of the Firehole River and leads to Riverside Geyser (on the other shore) that spreads its jet into the stream and then beyond another bridge to the Fan and Mortar Geysers, connected by underground; Later, the Morning Glory Pool is a tinted basin of the most tender colors, named because of its resemblance to the ipomée (morning glory) flower.

Of Jackson Lake Dam until southern Moose. Elk and bison meat in grasslands along the river. The bison also eat in the carpets of wormwoods on the benches above. Sea eagles with white head, osprey and large herons build large nests of visible branches of the river. Beavers mooses and eat willows lining the waterway.

East of Highway 26/89/191, a mile north of Moose Junction. Along Mormon Row and Antelope Flats Road, pronghorn bison and antilopes can be observed in spring, summer, and autumn. You can also see coyotes, northern herds or American becerders hunting mice, Uinta squirrels and locusts. Teas and thrashers are also common in the region.

Teton Park Road runs along the feet of Teton Range from Moose to Jackson Lake Junction.

Open spring in the fall (but it can be closed in case of snow), the famous US 34 road breaks the park and links Estes Park on the east side to the city of Grand Lake on the west slope. 77 kilometers long, this is the highest paved road in the United States that reaches an altitude of more than 3,700 meters at its highest point. It follows a path borrowed by the Amerindians for thousands of years. The road is known for its splendid panoramas, the observation of wildlife and alpine vegetation whose rare and beautiful tundra.

This free access lookout is located at the end of a 3 km track (Lone Rock Road), whose branch line is located on Highway 89 between Page and Kanab. It offers a panoramic view of Lake Powell and especially Lone rock. A not to be missed.