I'm a big proponent of the wonderful national parks in our state, so I was excited to hear this news of free entrance that will be available on three weekends this summer:In Utah, that means the famous Grand Circle of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef national parks will waive admission fees of $3 to $25 during the weekends of June 20-21, July 18-19 and Aug. 15-16.The purpose of the free admission is to entice visitors who are possibly staying home this year due to the economy. Of course, this isn't a big savings in the bigger picture of the cost of a vacation, so it may or may not help. But it may serve to remind people here in Utah what great vacation destinations we have in our own backyard.
For those who think you need to be young and athletic to enjoy the parks, you'll be surprised. Many areas are accessible without hiking, while, others can require extreme physical fitness. If you want a less physical trip, try Bryce Canyon where you can drive to all the lookout points, and have lunch at the old lodge.
For those who really like to drive (I know I'm repeating myself here), I recommend the truly beautiful and amazing Highway 12 from Torrey to Bryce Canyon. From either direction, it's just an amazing drive through ever-changing scenery. Be sure to stop at the view points and soak in the vistas.
I never cease to be amazed at the number of Utahns who tell me they've never visited a national park in Utah. People who've lived here their whole lives. It's a missed opportunity. Perhaps the free weekends will entice a few of those to give it a try and visit these very accessible and wonderful areas. Travel information is readily available online.
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4 comments:
My best friend headed off this week with spouse and grandchildren to visit all these parks. I can't wait to get a first hand report on them.
Wonderful! I hope our rain does not put a damper (no pun intended) on their fun. Do report back and let us know what they liked and how it was.
Too bad I cannot afford the gas to get there. But I also have a fair I need to attend in the hopes of selling something.
When I moved back to New Mexico it was first to the small village of Questa. From my front door to the Carson National Forest was 1/2 mile. And yet none of my neighbor's kids went there. Definitely never the women. The men went only to poach deer and gather firewood.
It was explained to me when I questioned that they were missing a wonderful experience that their families had settled there when there were marauding Utes. Roaming was not encouraged and maybe in bred out.
Given that they were descended from the conquistadors I doubted that explanation. For centuries the wilderness areas of Utah and New Mexico were called the Bad Lands. Is there some remaining stigma that keeps the safely home in front of the tv?
I think it's probably a common syndrome everywhere. I remember when I lived in Delaware for just a year in the 60's. The proximity to everything historic on the east coast was simply thrilling to me. And yet I knew native Delawarians who had never visited Washington D.C. in their entire lives, despite it being just a few hours' drive away. Imagine!
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