A Primer for Planning Your Adventure to Glacier National Park

As we head into National Parks Week, we're pleased to present our primer on Glacier National Park. There's plenty to say about Glacier National Park, one of the most popular and scenic national parks — it is defined by glacial lakes, alpine valleys, vast green meadows and striking mountain tableaus. Based on our experiences with Glacier National Park thus far, we’ve synthesized our ideas, thoughts and suggestions to get you started in planning a Glacier adventure. Consider it a primer, as there is an abundance of information out there.

A Road Through the Wilderness: Shenandoah National Park

Discover the extremely accessible Shenandoah National Park, easily explored by car or on foot. Click here to find out more.

Hike With Us Through Utah's 5 National Parks

We covered a lot of ground in all five of Utah's national parks and recorded some of the pathways and vistas that enlivened us during our visit; these virtual hikes provide some immediate context for specific trails you might be considering.   

This is a meandering and level walk out to the beginning of the Zion Narrows, is a 16 mile walk along the Left Fork of the Virgin RIver through a slot canyon; this is a great trail for wheelchair accessibility and a satisfying two mile walk.

As you descend from the Queen's Garden trail, the hoodoos begin to tower; perspective changes vastly — hence our vertical video. Pick up the Navajo Loop trail to hike out of the canyon on the other side.

At Capitol Reef National Park, this trail cuts across the Grand Wash canyon though part of the Waterpocket Fold, a stairstep rise in the earth's crust. Trailheads are located along the park's scenic drive and by the Fremont River on Highway 24. Rock formations are a size that defies the imagination, summoning our impressions of a prehistoric era.

In the Devil's Garden section of Arches, at the north end of the park, a spur of of the Landscape trail will take you to Pine Tree Arch, Tunnel Arch, and then onto Landscape Arch, which at 290 feet long is the fifth longest natural arch in the world. You can continue on for views of Navajo Arch and Partition Arch; check our Utah itinerary for some unique vantages though Partition Arch.

Also from Arches, this trail moves through what appears to be an arid desert — but it is surprisingly green, with some passages that resemble grassland.

Canyonlands National Park invites contemplation; it is literally a place to take a step back and consider the passage of time, and how the slow movement of water gradually changes earth and rock.

A unique trail at Canyonlands, to the rim of a mysterious crater, there are two theories; it caused by a meteor impact or the collapse of a salt dome. The trail takes you to two lookouts, and a half-day hike will lead you all the way around the perimeter of the Upheaval Dome.

Have you hiked these trails? What are some of your favorite trails in Utah's state or national parks?