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M$3.25 September 22, 2009 09:54 PM

What are your three favorite National Parks and why?

If you could visit three of the USA's 390 plus national parks which ones would you choose and why?
(bonus tip to the first answer to, Why is the bison white on the National Parks Service emblem.)
Interesting Question?  Yes (3)   No (0)   

Interesting: jeffhoard M$1.00, bunnyphuphu M$0.25, windowshopping M$1.00

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September 23, 2009 01:22 AM
Growing up in Colorado availed me of the opportunity to spend a considerable amount of time in several National Parks as well as on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. It's very difficult for me to name just three National Parks which rate as my favorite because each park I have visited has unique attributes which make it amazing. Still, to answer your question, my three choices are:
1) Rocky Mountain National Park
Located just west of Estes Park, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park is home to Long's Peak, one of Colorado's 53 "14ers" (peaks of greater than 14,000 feet elevation). There are abundant herds of elk, moose, antelope, and deer roaming the slopes in summer and the valleys in winter. Wolves and buffalo have booth been reintroduced here, as well. Those who are incredibly blessed might even see Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, here. There are spectacular hiking trails as well as easy access to the Continental Divide via Trail Ridge Road. Trail Ridge Road is only open in the summers after road crews are able to clear the snow drifts (generally opening in Late May or early June). Accessible by the Fall River Road from Boulder and Lyons, Colorado or on Colorado Highway 36 through the Big Thompson Canyon from Loveland, Colorado, getting there is nearly as spectacular as the park itself.

2) Mesa Verde National Park
Located in Southwest Colorado (in the Four Corners Area), west of Durango, Mesa Verde is an archaeological treasure as well as a testament to human ingenuity and tenacity. The cliff dwellings which were built there provide a rare glimpse into a facet of our Native American past There is a desert beauty to Mesa Verde with its pinon pines, cacti, and different shades of cliffs. In addition to the park itself, there is easy access to the Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Train, which travels through wild canyons and over wooden trestles across saddlebacks between mountains.

3) Canyonlands National Park
Located southwest of Moab, UT, Canyonlands is another of the most spectacular parks in the National Park system. The desert landscapes are punctuated by the complex system of canyons which wind through the park. While Canyonlands is well-known for its many miles of hiking trails, many of its sites are easily accessible by vehicle (be sure that you start with a full tank of gas, however - walking out in triple digit heat with no water might be the last thing you attempt!). The confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers portrays the shear power of nature and, especially during Spring runoff, illustrates how the canyons came into existence.

There are so many awe-inspiring places in the US National Park system, choosing any of the parks will be rewarding.

PS - ShadowBear, the Buffalo represents wildlife in our National Parks and mimics the emblem for the Department of the Interior. But the White Buffalo represents a blessing according to Native American Lore... and the Parks are truly that for all of us.
Source(s):
http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
http://www.14ers.com/photos/photos_14ers1.php
http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm

Asker's Rating:
• Great answer.worthy of the tip.

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September 23, 2009 01:33 AM
I've visited all 3 that you listed and your answer and discriptions are very good.
Yea I know its pretty tough to just pick 3, but I never said it would be easy :)
I've still got quite a few on my list to visit before I move on.

@windowshop,
way to go on the Bison, you won.
The story of the White Buffalo and its spiritual meaning to the Native Americans is very interesting.
But thats another question.
You aced the answer

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September 23, 2009 02:19 AM
Namaste, ShadowBear - Many thanks!

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September 23, 2009 01:36 PM
Thank you @windowshopping for a great answer, and making me miss my years living in Colorado!

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September 23, 2009 04:06 PM
Great answer! Now I really want to take that trip to Colorado that I've been dreaming about for years. The descriptions of these National Parks may be just the extra incentive my husband needs to take the family there.

Congrats on the nomination. You're answer deserves it.

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September 23, 2009 07:00 PM
Thank you Mysterygirl for the nomination! Shadowbear asked such a great question - it made answering a pleasure!

@ Bunnyphuphu - I miss Colorado, too. I've been gone from there 12 years now and still miss the mountains every time I glance west. At least family gives me a great reason to visit often!

@JoBrielyn - Grab your husband and drag him to Colorado! OK, true, I'm biased, but it's one of the most relaxing and exhilarating places simultaneously!

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September 24, 2009 03:58 PM
Congratulations! Your answer won second place in our Answer of the Day contest! You win $2.00 and are now the proud owner of the Mahalo Tiki Torch!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33749589@N07/3916894609/

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September 22, 2009 10:49 PM
I would want to go to all the national parks just because i love the outdoors :)
But i would definitely want to visit the following state parks:
1.Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area (Because it looks absolutely beautiful).
2. Channel Islands National Park (the view of the picture on the internet looks stunning, and because they have so much to do there such as; Hiking, Camping, Backcountry camping, Boating, Kayaking, diving, snorkeling, fishing, surfing, whale watching, and bird watching just to name a few.) This would be my first choice of national parks to visit.
3. Biscayne National Park (also because it looks amazing, and there are so many things to do. This national park offers outdoor and indoor activities such as; boating, camping, canoeing, kayaking, and much more.

National parks are just stunning. And there is so much to do, its a great day out for any family, theres guaranteed to be something for everyone :)

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September 23, 2009 01:37 AM
Channel Islands and Biscayne are still on my to see list.
Nice picks

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September 23, 2009 08:01 AM
yellowstone-beauty,buffalos and wolves redwood forest-i love the trees! Grand canyon beause it i such a beautiful place and there is a lot to do! also Mt. Rainer because i live nearby and i like climbing there!

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September 23, 2009 04:08 PM
All three are great choices and each is awe inspiring.
But there are no redwoods in yellowstone. The giant redwoods are only found in California's north coastal region. There are some fantastic national parks, including Redwood National Park and Sequoia National Park, also some great California state parks including stands of redwoods. Magnificient trees. As a young boy we often spent camping trips among these giants and i believe it was that time spent among these trees that very much influence the respect that i have towards the natural world around us.
http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM107/AirWeBreathe/Comp/RedwoodTree.jpg

Yellowstone's forests are made up of about 80% lodgepole pine.
http://www.sfu.ca/geog/geog351fall07/Group06/Final%20Project%20Images/Montane%20Spruce/lodgepole.jpg

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September 23, 2009 08:19 PM
My favorite three are as follows:

1st place goes to Yellowstone. I have often said that when I die that's where I want to live (hehe). Beautiful scenery, wildlife, geothermal features, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, hiking and the list goes on. With Yellowstone you almost have to include the Grand Tetons since they are right next door to the south. Amazing mountain vistas and hiking with lots of wildlife there, too.

2nd place would be all the canyonlands area of southern Utah. This includes Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Arches. I know it is a cop out to group so many together but they are all similar yet unique. Fantastic canyons and hiking everywhere.

3rd place for me goes to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Beautiful mountain scenery, wildlife, rivers, and of course, Trail Ridge Road is amazing.
Source(s):
Been there, done that.


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September 24, 2009 05:57 AM
All great choices, i especially enjoy the Canyonlands, been all over them many times but never grow tired of the oppurtunity to visit any one of the Parks that make up that region.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UJnPVp_FlrQ/SaHdzX7vT_I/AAAAAAAAAaY/hJt3cvruJAw/s320/canyonland.jpg

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September 23, 2009 09:16 PM
1. Yosemite. It is one of the greatest formation for extreme cliffs and lakes. You can tour the park by car, bike, on foot or tour bus. It is famous in the summer for climbers - which I did - and in the winter for cross country skiing. I would love to go to the winter program at the lodge which is an old fashion Victorian Christmas in full costume.

2. Yellowstone. This park is a dream come true. There is so much wildlife to watch and some of the most wonderful waterfalls in the world. It is the site of old faithful which used to occur right on schedule until a major earthquake changed the timing and created a new lake. I could hike all over this park and never tire of it.

3. Mt. Shasta. Great lake with high peak mountains. I love it there. But it is supposed to be the site of the next very major earthquake and I don't want to be there at that time! I would love to rent a house boat and live on the lake for about a week. or a life time!
The white buffalo is the spirit of the native american - mine - as a beginning to an end. Life will change and it will get better in the end. This may not be the park service answer, but it is mine.

Tags: yellowstone, parks, shasta, yosemite

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September 24, 2009 06:18 AM
again great awe inspiring parks. I've spent alot of time in Yosemite, a true wonderment to behold and a testament to the Creator. Its little wonder why Ansel Adams had such love of it,anyone who see's yosemite would.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/14/17759935_7ae6451fc8.jpg
Aho to you response to the white Bison
It was the intent of the NPS to use it as @windowshop expressed. It is a blessing to the people and is used to honor such on their emblem.

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