US Park Lodging

Yellowstone Cabins: Roosevelt Lodge & Cabins

The Roosevelt Lodge and Roosevelt Cabins in Yellowstone Park are an ideal destination located off the beaten path, yet really close to the wildlife hotspots of the Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs areas. This Yellowstone Park lodging option is the perfect example of the rustic Yellowstone cabins the park is known for. Not only are the Roosevelt Cabins a great example of the traditional Yellowstone cabins, they also enjoy a historical element of being named after Theodore Roosevelt as his favorite area of Yellowstone Park.

Yellowstone Park receives over 3.5 million visitors each year. This is a good thing to take into consideration when you book your Yellowstone Park lodging. The Roosevelt Lodge and Roosevelt Cabins are quiet and don’t see the hoards of people that the other main lodging areas in Yellowstone Park.

Lamar Valley Bison photo by bobrpics on Flickr

The Roosevelt Lodge emanates an “Old West” ambiance with two great big fireplaces heating the old, rustic, log-built lodge. The dining area in the Roosevelt Lodge offers hearty entrees of wild game fusion such as elk burgers and the classics such as baby back ribs. The Roosevelt Lodge’s lobby bar and the rocking chairs on the front porch are popular places to watch wildlife and wind down for the evening. The historic feeling and the beautiful mountain scenery creates a nostalgic feeling.

Two styles of Yellowstone cabins are available at the Roosevelt Lodge. Both of the Roosevelt Cabins’ types include one or two double beds, coffeemaker, table and chair and a wood stove that includes a couple wood fuel logs with more available near the ice machine. These Yellowstone cabins also provide extra blankets for cold nights as well as towels, drinking glasses, toiletries and a fan for your use.

Roughrider Cabins are the iconic Yellowstone cabins you always imagined. They do not have water, bathrooms or AC. What they do have is just the right amount of comforts and space to provide the shelter and rustic Yellowstone cabin experience guests want. The bath cabins are just a short walk away. These bathhouses are clean and heated and shampoo and toiletries are provided in your Roosevelt cabins. This is by far the best price for Yellowstone Park lodging inside the park. Frontier Cabins are Roosevelt cabins with a little extra. They include bathrooms with a shower, sink and toilet. A few of these Yellowstone cabins are near a small creek which is another added perk.

Yellowstone Old West Cookout photo by kerryvaughan on Flickr

The Roosevelt Lodge Cabins are the best choice for Yellowstone Park lodging close to the northern highlights, especially if you are looking to stay in an historic Yellowstone cabin. There are horseback rides and stagecoach adventures available on-site as well as the popular Old West Cookout wagon/horseback rides to an old dinner spot with a hearty meal and cowboy songs by the fire. The quiet pace at the Roosevelt Lodge and Roosevelt Cabins is a welcomed vibe from the flurry of visitors in the other areas of the park. The road to Lamar Valley begins where the Roosevelt Lodge ends, which makes it extremely close and offers great opportunity for early arrival to the wildlife hotspots. When you stay at this Yellowstone Park lodging, you will experience the authentic Yellowstone cabin ambiance that Yellowstone Park is known for. The Roosevelt Lodge Cabins are open from June through September and book up as far as a year in advance. Call up the professionals at US Park Lodging to arrange your Yellowstone cabin reservations.

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11.08.2011 Yellowstone Comments Off

Yellowstone Lodging: Canyon Lodge and Cabins

When you are headed to Yellowstone National Park you are probably wondering which lodging in Yellowstone to pick. A great choice for Yellowstone lodging is the Canyon Lodge and Cabins. The motel-style lodge and two types of rustic cabins offer the necessities, reasonable prices and an awesome location for your vacation in Yellowstone National Park.

Lodging in Yellowstone is supposed to be a comfortable place to come home to after a long day exploring Yellowstone National Park. Most people would agree that the most important thing to look for your lodging in Yellowstone are the necessities, such as cleanliness, electricity, a private bathroom, nearby services and facilities. The Canyon Lodge and Cabins offer just that. Most of your days will be spent away from your Yellowstone lodging. The rooms and cabins are cleaned daily by housekeeping if you wish. There is a convenient laundry facility nearby as well as a gas station, visitors center, a couple gift shops and a few dining options. The setting for the Canyon Lodge and Cabins is quiet and wooded with a good chance to see wildlife in the mornings and evenings. The Canyon Lodge and Cabins is the most affordable in-park accommodation in Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone National Park Bison photo by Chuck Martin on Flickr

The best Yellowstone lodging for immediate access to the wildlife hotspots of Yellowstone National Park is the Canyon Lodge and Cabins. A short 20 minute drive gets you to Hayden Valley and the Lamar River Valley is an hour north. This may seem like a long time, but in Yellowstone National Park terms, that is pretty close. Not only is the Canyon Lodge and Cabins close to the northern highlights of the park, it is very close to the features of the central and southern areas of the park as well. The Canyon Lodge and Cabins are situated in the center of Yellowstone National Park which makes access to any area of the park a cinch.

The Canyon Lodge and Cabins are an ideal Yellowstone lodging choice if your focus is the park itself rather than a fancy accommodation. Visitors to the park spend very little time in their rooms, so your lodging in Yellowstone might as well be a clean comfortable place to get a good night’s rest. The Canyon Lodge and Cabins are the most centrally located of all the lodging in Yellowstone and offer just the right accommodations for your comfort after a long day seeing the sights. Call US Park Lodging to reserve your Yellowstone lodging today. Rooms book up well in advance, so call today.

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05.08.2011 Yellowstone Comments Off

Grand Canyon Lodging: Kachina Lodge

When making the decision of which Grand Canyon lodging choice to pick, things can get quite confusing. Is it important to ask yourself what your goals are. If you want a great location combined with cleanliness and a view, the Kachina Lodge is for you. Your vacation to Grand Canyon National Park is a chance of a lifetime. You will want to have your bases covered so you can venture away from the Grand Canyon hotels and explore the best of Grand Canyon National Park. The south rim has a lot to offer visitors to Grand Canyon National Park with many gift shops, restaurants and services in the Grand Canyon Village.

The Grand Canyon hotels on the south rim are mostly a fair distance from the actual rim. The Kachina Lodge is butted up to the south rim with spectacular views of one of the seven wonders of the world, Grand Canyon National Park. Not only is the location ideal to the Grand Canyon, the Kachina Lodge also enjoys immediate access to the bustling Grand Canyon Village. From this prime location, guests can venture away from the Grand Canyon hotels and out to the most popular vistas in Grand Canyon National Park such as Yavapai Point and Hopi Point. Everything is at your fingertips when you stay at the Kachina Lodge.

Grand Canyon Yavapai Point From the Kachina Lodge

Yavapai Point photo by Tobias Alt, available from wikipedia

The Kachina Lodge is a great choice for those who find disappointment in arriving at their hotel only to find that their room has been smoked in or has been used for pets. This scenario doesn’t happen at the Kachina Lodge because of their no smoking and no pets policies. This is an important element for those with animal dander allergies or intolerance to the smell of smoke. The Kachina Lodge is a well kept Grand Canyon hotel.

When figuring out your Grand Canyon lodging, definitely consider staying at the Kachina Lodge. This Grand Canyon hotel provides just the right amenities while also exhibiting an ideal location on the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The rooms are comfortable, clean and many have canyon views. The location is just right with the El Tovar and Bright Angel Lodge just steps away. The Grand Canyon Village offers entertainment and access to tours as well as services. Staying at the Kachina Lodge puts guests right in the middle of the action, which is where you wanna be if you are on the south rim. Give US Park Lodging a call to arrange your Kachina Lodge or Grand Canyon lodging reservations.

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27.07.2011 Grand Canyon, US Park Lodging Comments Off

The Grand Circle

The Grand Circle is a term used to describe the ultimate road trip through the American southwest by way of 20 scenic byways that neatly tie 11 national parks and 16 national monuments together in a loop. US Park Lodging makes reservations for the national parks in this rugged and colorful country. The Grand Circle is a trip that will never be forgotten. It takes planning, so allow the professionals at US Park Lodging to assist you in reserving this trip of a lifetime once you have determined your route. Here is an example of an itinerary for your Grand Circle vacation. This blog can serve as a starting point for your research so when you call US Park Lodging, you will have a better idea of the route and stops you want to include.The most strategic places to enter the Grand Circle for your adventure of a lifetime is from either Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. Since this is a loop, you can hop on the Grand Circle loop from any point and return to the starting point for the same experience on the Grand Circle.

Zion National Park photo by StuSeeger on Flickr

A good place to begin your Grand Circle adventure is in Zion National Park. It is recommended to spend two or three nights in Zion National Park on your Grand Circle tour. Stay at the Zion Lodge for an accommodating and authentic park experience. During your stay at Zion National Park, you will definitely want to spend a day trekking through the Virgin River Narrows, which is the main artery of the park. There are several easy to moderate hikes at Zion National Park. Another great way to see a different perspective of the park is to take a hot air balloon tour.

After you explore Zion, head 89 miles over to Bryce Canyon National Park for your second stop on your Grand Circle adventure. If you head to Bryce Canyon National Park in the morning, you can drive to Rainbow Point for a 37 mile round trip and catch all the viewpoints on the return trip.

Queen's Garden, Bryce Canyon National Park photo by Alaskan Dude on Flickr

A good place to stay for the night is the Bryce Canyon Lodge. In the morning, take a half day guided hike or horseback tour to get up close and personal with the curious hoodoos in the amphitheater.

After your second day in Bryce Canyon National Park, you might think your Grand Circle loop has been fulfilling enough. Just wait, there is much more to enjoy on this adventure. A good option for lodging after day two at Bryce Canyon National Park is to head 15 miles down the road to Kanab, UT which is the gateway to Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Stay a comfortable night at the Vermillion Vacation Homes and check out Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in the first half of the day.

Arches National Park photo by james.gordon6108 on Flickr

Once you get a taste of what Grand Staircase Escalante is all about, hit the road to Moab, UT for about 289 miles. (Some people might choose to include Capitol Reef National Park in their itinerary which would break up the 289 mile drive into two sections and also would avoid the interstate.) A fun place to stay in Moab is The Gonzo Inn, which has unique accommodations close to both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park for your ultimate convenience. You will get there just in time to enjoy a yummy dinner and settle down for the night to start the next leg of your Grand Circle adventure tour. Depending on your Grand Circle goals, you may want to stay in Moab for as many as five nights. This area has a lot to offer and while you are here, you may as well immerse yourself.

Canyonlands National Park photo by NPCA Photos on Flickr

Moab is your Grand Circle hub for Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. In Arches National Park, make sure you drive all of the paved roads and stop at the viewpoints along the way. This is yet another opportunity for a van tour or a hot air balloon tour due to the crowded parking lots. Check out the Devil’s Garden hike, the Fiery Furnace hike and make sure to go see Delicate Arch. For an unpaved adventure, if you have the right kind of vehicle, head through the Salt Valley to Klondike Bluffs. The road back to the center of Arches National Park is only recommended for southerly travel due to sand and hills. You will want to spend time in Canyonlands National Park as well on your Grand Circle vacation. A great place to check out is the Island in the Sky for easy access and some fun little hikes. During your Moab stay, one of your nights should include a late night stargazing tour at either Arches or Canyonlands National Parks. The milky way is calling your name.

Petroglyph Point, Mesa Verde National Park photo by Alaskan Dude on Flickr

After you have had your fill of the Moab area, continue your Grand Circle adventure and head 131 miles to Mancos, CO to visit Mesa Verde National Park for a couple of days. Definitely stay in the park at the Far View Lodge. From the Far View Lodge, you will have central access to the main highlights of Mesa Verde National Park. You will want to venture across Wetherill Mesa to take the Long House tour and the self guided Step House tour. On your second day explore the Chapin Mesa and sign up for the Balcony House and the Cliff Palace tours. While you wait for one of your tours to start, perhaps enjoy the self-guided Spruce Tree House tour, the Chapin Mesa Museum or the archaeological village sites nearby.

At this point in the Grand Circle journey, you will want to ask yourself whether or not you want to visit Canyon De Chelly National Monument. If you do, head south from Mesa Verde National Park 164 miles. If you skip Canyon De Chelly, you will save 116 miles from the Grand Circle loop and you will drive past the Mexican Hat formation and the Valley of the Gods. If you do choose to head to Canyon de Chelly, stay at the Thunderbird Lodge. One full day here will probably be enough just checking out the scenic drives and taking a self guided hike or two. Next stop on your Grand Circle tour is Monument Valley 98 miles northwest.

Monument Valley photo by Moyan_Brenn on Flickr

Monument Valley is a gorgeous valley of buttes, pinnacles and volcanic cores left behind from the winds and rains of time. Monument Valley is within the Navajo Nation Reservation, so your national park passport will not apply on this part of your Grand Circle adventure. You will want to stay at The View Hotel. This hotel is inside Monument Valley with stunning views of the park highlights. This is another great place to learn about the Ancestral Puebloans who settled in the area a few thousand years ago. Take some time to enjoy the local artisan booths as well.

From Monument Valley, the next stop in the Grand Circle is Lake Powell. Depending on your goals, this could be a nice place to spend a day or three. A good lodging choice for Lake Powell is the Defiance House Lodge. If you want to stay awhile, a houseboat rental is a great way to spend your time. Rainbow Bridge is a must-see destination here as well as Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon is considered to be one of the most beautiful slot canyons in the world, so definitely make this a priority. Another way to spend a day is on a Colorado River float trip. Check out Horseshoe Bend either from the river or the lookout. Lake Powell area is much more than a vast reservoir, there are several diverse things to enjoy here as well as water play.

Yavapai Point Grand Canyon National Park photo by Moyan_Brenn on Flickr

In the Grand Circle loop, the Grand Canyon is the final stop before returning to the start of the Grand Circle loop. Grand Canyon National Park has two distinct and separate areas you can explore, the North Rim and the South Rim. You might want to choose one or the other, or if you have time, both. The South Rim is the populated area and the North Rim enjoys more peace and quiet. On this itinerary, I suggest visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon because it is convenient, cooler due to higher elevations, less crowded and has what many believe to be better hikes.

If you visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the lodge to stay in is the Grand Canyon Lodge. The downfall of the North Rim is that it is closed during the winter and the road can close for inclement weather. Check ahead for closures if you are planning to travel to the gorgeous North Rim. If you are combining North and South Rims or perhaps you want to be where all the action is at the South Rim, the sweeping depths and awe-inspiring vistas of Grand Canyon National Park will not disappoint you. Visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon will add quite a few more miles to your Grand Circle trip. If you go all the way to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, you should stay at the famous El Tovar Hotel. The El Tovar Hotel was one of the pioneering national park hotels of the style made famous by the national park service.

The Grand Circle is a vacation that will go down in your history books, no matter what your travel preferences are. No other area compares to the Grand Circle with it’s many parks and sights. This itinerary is a good basis of a typical Grand Circle trip. You can enter this itinerary loop at any point and you can travel clockwise or counter-clockwise on the circle. After you have sketched out your route and plan, give the professionals at US Park Lodging a call to book all of your National Park lodging on your Grand Circle adventure. Remember to gas up often, watch for little critters on the road and expect the driving times to be longer than they would normally be on the interstate. Most of all, have a great time in the Grand Circle. The mysterious and colorful southwest landscape is waiting for your arrival.

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14.07.2011 Arches, Bryce, Canyon De Chelly, Grand Canyon, Grand Staircase, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, US Park Lodging, Zion Comments Off

Grant Village: Yellowstone Lodging

Grant Village: Yellowstone National Park’s most ideal lodging choice. This statement is an opinion based on a few key points about Grant Village. Yellowstone is a big park with many things to see and do. Yellowstone lodging is diverse and it’s best to be strategic about where you stay while you enjoy this big beautiful park. There are a few highlights that make Grant Village in Yellowstone National Park the best choice for your vacation. Yellowstone’s Grant Village offers great access to the main attractions of the park, is the closest in-park lodging to Grand Teton National Park and it is on Yellowstone Lake in prime grizzly and cutthroat trout habitat. How can you go wrong?

Yellowstone Lake near Grant Village Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone Lake photo by Chuck Martin on Flickr

Grant Village is located on Yellowstone Lake’s west thumb. This is right in the neck of the woods of a handful of spawning streams for Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. There is great fishing in this area and as a result, it is also a hot spot to view grizzly bears. Yellowstone Lake offers a variety of recreation as well. People love to kayak over to the West Thumb Geyser Basin, swim, picnic and just enjoy the scenery from Grant Village. Yellowstone will be a lot more fun when you stay on the water.

The most popular attractions in Yellowstone National Park are all within access of Grant Village. Yellowstone National Park is most famous for Old Faithful, the West Thumb Geyser Basin, wildlife and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Old Faithful is just 20 minutes from Grant Village and the West Thumb Geyser Basin is in your backyard when you stay at Grant Village. Yellowstone River’s Grand Canyon is about 50 miles north. This means that the bulk of the Yellowstone National Park attractions are very close and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone would make a great day trip. This creates a lot of vacation freedom when you are not required to drive on days when you don’t want to.

Geyser photo by ccharmon on Flickr

The last compelling reason why Grant Village is the most ideal Yellowstone lodging is that it is close to it’s sister park, Grand Teton National Park. Many people choose to combine these two majestic parks into one fun-filled adventure. Grant Village is a great location as it is the first Yellowstone lodging once you cross the southern entrance border, which is the closest to Grand Teton National Park. Staying at Grant Village will give you the best vantage point to explore both parks on your vacation.

Grant Village is the most ideal Yellowstone lodging choice in my opinion. The reasons are obvious with the best location to the sights of Yellowstone National Park, immediate access to great fishing and wildlife on the lakeshore and Grant Village offers easy access into Grand Teton National Park as well. These perks make Grant Village the Yellowstone lodging choice I would recommend. You can make all your Yellowstone National Park reservations with the professionals at US Park Lodging.

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06.07.2011 Yellowstone Comments Off

Bryce Canyon Lodges

Bryce Canyon National Park is the land of rainbow hoodoos. As the winds and waters of time etch away the exteriors of these towering monoliths, they take on familiar shapes and friendly personalities. Park authorities decided to let the names be as fleeting as the changing shapes by not officially naming each hoodoo. Bryce Canyon National Park is perhaps the most changed park from the past 50 years. Of course that is contestable, but Bryce Canyon is definitely in the running.

Queen's Garden Bryce Canyon National Park photo by Alaskan Dude on Flickr

There are a couple prominent Bryce Canyon lodges to choose from during your vacation in Bryce Canyon National Park. The Bryce Canyon Lodge and the Bryce Canyon Resort are both great choices that offer ideal access into Bryce Canyon National Park.

The Bryce Canyon Lodge offers motel-style lodging as well as rustic yet comfortable cabins. Of all the Bryce Canyon lodges, the Bryce Canyon Lodge is the only option to be inside the beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park. This awesome accommodation provides immediate access to the many ravines of Bryce Canyon as well as a handful of natural amphitheaters. Guests at the Bryce Canyon Lodge have only to take a morning stroll to witness the righteous sunrise over the layered hoodoos and canyons.

The Bryce Canyon Resort is another great choice of Bryce Canyon lodges. Motel-style rooms, historic cabins and two-room cabins are available at the Bryce Canyon Resort. The resort is only three miles from Bryce Canyon National Park. The accommodations are a perk but the main advantage is the wide variety of on-site activities offered to the guests of the Bryce Canyon Resort. Guests enjoy ATV rides, scenic tours, flight tours, fishing, horseback riding as well as a wildlife museum, all from the comfort of the Bryce Canyon Resort.

Ponderosa Pine in Bryce Canyon National Park photo by Alaskan Dude on Flickr

Bryce Canyon is a marvel of the marriage between the limestone and the water, but not how you would expect. The erosion in Bryce Canyon National Park is caused by frost-wedging. Over 200 days a year the water temperature teeters around the freezing point where in the daytime it is above freezing and at night it is below. This is a huge erosional force of up to 20,000 pounds per square inch of pressure. Combine the frost-wedging with the naturally acidic rainwater that happily weakens the limestone cliffs and you have a giant forest of limestone hoodoos and an ever changing scene. Bryce Canyon National Park is an iconic phenomenon that is a must see for national park lovers. Give US Park Lodging a call to arrange the best possible Bryce Canyon National Park lodging available.

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29.06.2011 Bryce Comments Off

Lodging in Zion National Park

Zion National Park is a magical place of wonder. The Virgin River gently and smoothly carves caverns and canyons through the red rock sandstone and provides a lush riparian zone along it’s waters. Watch a bald eagle swoop down for a tasty flannelmouth sucker lazily swimming along.

Virgin River, Zion Narrows photo by sufw on Flickr

Listen to the canyon tree frog’s evening chirp as you look for the source. The towering hoodoos show the historic relationship between the river and the earth leaving the resemblance of a cathedral behind. This is Zion National Park and you definitely want to come here.

As you figure out your Zion National Park lodging arrangements, there are a couple things to know about Zion National Park lodging. The lodging in Zion National Park differs in ways that can put the cherry on top of your ideals for your Zion vacation. If you like to be near the action, the Zion Lodge would be best for you. If solitude is your preference, then you will love the Zion Mountain Ranch. Regardless of the Zion National Park lodging you choose, the gorgeous Zion National Park will be there just the same. The only thing that your lodging in Zion National Park will change is your downtime environment.

The Zion Lodge is located just inside the southern entrance into Zion National Park. Guests at the Zion Lodge will enjoy the community style lodging in the midst of 75 rooms on two floors and 40 neighboring historic cabins. This Zion National Park lodging offers immediate access to the hub of the park with it’s trail heads, museums and shuttles. The Zion Lodge has an on-site restaurant and a cafe as well. Guests can walk to the trail head to the Emerald Pools or explore along the river. The Zion Lodge is a great choice for lodging in Zion National Park for those who love to be in the center of park activity.

Zion National Park Canyon photo by Diliff on Flickr

The Zion Mountain Ranch rests on 300 acres just steps from the east entrance into Zion National Park. The Zion Mountain Ranch offers private cabins with plenty of amenities. The grounds provide for solitude and the opportunity for exploration. Guests enjoy views of the buffalo meadow and horseback rides on-site. The Zion Mountain Ranch boasts a great restaurant with a menu to satisfy your whole group. Zion National Park’s east side has a slightly cooler climate which makes a big difference on hot summer days. Guests venturing into Zion National Park have only to travel the gorgeous Zion-Mount Carmel Highway to arrive at Zion’s epicenter of activity.

Both of these fantastic choices for lodging in Zion National Park offer comforts and easy access to the park. Whether you are looking for Zion National Park lodging among the action or off the beaten path, these Zion properties can and will accommodate you. Zion National Park is a breathtakingly beautiful place that you will cherish for years to come. Your choice of lodging in Zion National Park can add an entire layer of comfort and satisfaction as well. Call the professionals at US Park Lodging to make your Zion National Park reservations today.

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23.06.2011 US Park Lodging, Zion Comments Off

Stovepipe Wells: Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a noted American desert region. Most people think of sand dunes when they think of a desert, but Death Valley National Park’s sand dune landscape occupies only 1% of Death Valley National Park. There are a handful of dune areas within the park, but the two most notable are the Eureka Dunes and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. The ideal Death Valley National Park lodging for both of these awesome dune locations is Stovepipe Wells. Death Valley is quite vast and Stovepipe Wells is centrally located. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are in the immediate vicinity of Stovepipe Wells while Eureka Dunes would be a great day trip.

Death Valley National Park Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes photo by John Bruckman on Flickr

As you venture out of your comfortable Death Valley lodging at Stovepipe Wells, you can head right over to the spectacular Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. There isn’t a trail, so to speak, but just a quarter mile east of Stovepipe Wells is the 14-square-mile field of dunes. Explorers can choose their level of difficulty when they get there. Children will enjoy sand sledding as well as the adults. Your Death Valley lodging is so close to these dunes that those who might want to go back to Stovepipe Wells early will be able to do so. The best times to photograph the dunes here is at sunrise and sunset. The morning time offers the delight of following the animal tracks that were left the night before as Death Valley National Park residents are mostly nocturnal.

Death Valley National Park Eureka Dunes photo by fennfoot on Flickr

Eureka Dunes are California’s (and perhaps even the United States’) tallest dunes. The closest Death Valley lodging to Eureka Dunes is Stovepipe Wells. Death Valley is a park with some distance between the attractions and it best traveled in a series of day trips. Eureka Dunes is a great example with 80 miles of scenic Death Valley National Park between it and Stovepipe Wells. Death Valley is known for the dramatic scenery and the low, surreal elevation. As you travel from Stovepipe Wells, you rise up to this isolated valley resting at 3,000 feet elevation. A drive out to the Eureka Dunes is just how visitors see the north side of the park. Some of this road is unpaved. In adverse weather, this road may be closed, so be sure to check before you get your hopes up. When you get to the almost 700 foot pale mountain of sand, you may hear a deep moaning vibratory sound. This is the Eureka Dunes’ song, which can only be heard when the dunes are extremely dry throughout. You wouldn’t believe how much actual water a sand dune can hold, but often times the Eureka Dunes are too moist for this phenomenon. Contrary to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, sand sledding is not permitted on the Eureka Dunes due to a handful of endangered and threatened plant and animal species who are endemic to this unique pocket ecosystem.

Death Valley National Park Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes photo by John Bruckman on Flickr

These awesome sand dune formations are popular highlights of Death Valley National Park. Lodging central to most of the Death Valley excitement is at Stovepipe Wells. Death Valley is a rugged place that demonstrates just how hard some species have to work at survival. At the end of then day, you don’t want the same feeling of difficulty with your Death Valley National Park lodging. Staying at Stovepipe Wells is ideal on all fronts. You will be central to these great dune areas as well as lavish in the high level of comfort and service at Stovepipe Wells. Death Valley is a special place that is best traveled in short day trips from your Death Valley lodging. Stovepipe Wells is the most ideal Death Valley National Park lodging available. Call up US Park Lodging for all your Death Valley lodging needs. Our highly trained professionals will be happy to assist you in your vacation planning.

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08.06.2011 Death Valley, US Park Lodging Comments Off

The Historic El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon National Park

As the transcontinental railroad was completed and train travel exploded onto the American frontier, the Santa Fe Railroad Company extended an interior rail to the Grand Canyon in 1901. Prior to the completion of this spur, travelers to the Grand Canyon arrived by stagecoach. The El Tovar Hotel originated as just a sparkle in the eyes of the Santa Fe Railroad partnered with the Fred Harvey Company, as a destination resort. The accommodations between the east and west coasts were somewhat primitive which begged for the El Tovar Hotel’s creation in 1905 to provide a luxurious experience for the Santa Fe Railway travelers. This focus led to the Grand Canyon evolving from a forest reserve into a national monument in 1908 and eventually a national park in 1919. In this year, 1919, there were over 44,000 visitors to Grand Canyon National Park. Today the Grand Canyon receives more than 5 million visitors each year.

El Tovar Lodge, Grand Canyon circa 1908 from Haines Photo Co. Courtesey of the Library of Congress: Prints and Photographs: Panoramic Photographs: LC-USZ62-97315

The El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim of the mighty Grand Canyon is an historical landmark as well as a top Grand Canyon vacation destination. As one of the first national park styled lodges built over 100 years ago, the El Tovar Hotel helped pave the way for a legacy of grand and rustic national park lodges around the country. This iconic Grand Canyon National Park lodge is situated just 20 short feet from the south rim of the Grand Canyon. This makes the El Tovar Hotel a breathtaking place to experience the glory of the Grand Canyon.

The El Tovar was also a trendsetter for the famed Grand Canyon activity of riding mules down the Bright Angel Trail, which was vigorously promoted by the Fred Harvey Company via the El Tovar. These new trails were built upon the paths of the Native Americans who traveled it long before the days of the El Tovar. In 1922, the Fred Harvey Company finished the construction of the Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon. This addition made it possible to offer the utmost in service, even at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

This iconic national park hotel is still a luxurious hotel with attention to service and detail, even 100 years later. For visitors to Grand Canyon National Park, staying at El Tovar will make all the difference. For those who miss it, they are truly missing an historical and grand experience.

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02.06.2011 Grand Canyon, US Park Lodging Comments Off

Fishing in Yellowstone National Park

Fishing in Yellowstone National Park is a time honored tradition for many groups of family and friends. The astounding opportunities for world class angling make fishing in Yellowstone National Park a natural choice. While planning your Yellowstone national park fishing trip, you will want to consider the experience and ability of your group. Fishing in Yellowstone National Park is gorgeous and productive no matter where you go. Inexperienced anglers will not miss out by fishing the less technical waters while trips for experienced anglers can be planned to be as challenging and intricate as desired. That is the beauty of Yellowstone National Park fishing, the sheer amount of fishable water in the park area make anything possible for anglers.

Brown Trout photo by HuntFishGuide on Flickr

For less experienced groups and families who just want to experience fishing in Yellowstone National Park, there are plenty of exciting options. For those who have limited time, the Yellowstone River, Lamar River and Slough Creek are all beautiful in-park choices that can easily be accommodated. Due to the changing hatches and fishability, it is recommended let your guide choose the location for day trips. Fishing in Yellowstone National Park will be an experience cherished for a lifetime. If you didn’t get enough, check for availability for another full day trip during your stay or perhaps book more than one full day in advance. There are also overnight Yellowstone National Park fishing adventures that can be spent hiking and fishing or horseback riding and fishing. Overnight fishing trips are recommended for a minimum of three days and offer a unique way to see more areas of this vast park while camping and cooking out in the wild.

Experienced anglers who expressly come for fishing in Yellowstone National Park will want to choose either consecutive full day trips or a multi-day fishing adventure. If there are certain species of interest or desire for the trophy sized fish, just make sure to define your goals ahead of time. For those who adore fishing in the backcountry, the overnight Yellowstone National Park fishing trips will be a trip of a lifetime and an ideal way to see Yellowstone National Park. Chances are that you will want to come back year after year.