Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, with six wild and scenic rivers, is a paddler's paradise/NPS
You received $100,000 for Christmas from a loving aunt, but you need to spend it in the next 365 days. So, where in the National Park System would you go, and why?
I think I'd have to punch my ticket for Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska. I've long loved paddling, whether by canoe, kayak, or raft, and with six wild and scenic rivers, Gates of the Arctic would be hard to pass up and certainly give me plenty of paddling miles and wildness to enjoy. To get a feel for this place, check out this sketch book made by Robin Peterson, who was an artist-in-residence in the park back in 2009.
Plus, there's incredible wildlife: caribou, muskox, loon, grizzlies, weasals, otters, wolverines, lynx, wolves, and more bird species than you might imagine.
So, where would you go?
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Comments
Big Bend in the spring for the Wildflower bloom, and Glacier in the fall, and the great love of my life, Acadia for Christma.
With that amount of money, I'd rent a place outside of Gardiner and spend a month exploring and photographing Yellowstone during the fall/winter, then travel to national parks I've yet to see, such as Lassen Volcanic, Crater Lake, Yosemite, and Sequoia national parks.
ake Clark in Alaska and Gates of the Arctic. A winter trip to Dry Tortuga and then opposite coast to the Channel Islands. A campout and paddle in Isle Royale followed by an overseas trip to American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands.
State side- hike the wonderland trail around Mt. Rainier and spend a couple weeks in Yellowstone during the rut. Wrap it up with a hike over the divide in Glacier and then a quiet paddle on Jordan Pond in Acadia. Finish it all off with a couple of popovers at the Jordan House.
Visited the parks in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies a great deal....so now I'd like to explore some of those in the Southwest and Great Basin. Canyonlands? Would like to avoid crowds, seek out lesser visited places.
Being retired, the trip would be "The Loop" - a re-visit to all the Parks we HAVE visited (a majority, I'm glad to say!!) & a discovery of the rest that we've missed!!!
Dry Tortuga, Denali, Acacia and all points inbetween.
Dry Tortugas, Volcanoes Canyonlands and Isle Royale!
With a sum that large, my husband and I would rent an RV and visit as many of the parks as we could. Some must-sees would be: Zion, the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, and Yellowstone, but there are so many others as well. What a trip we would have!
Spend a couple months around Monument Valley and the several nearby national parks. And possibly a couple more come fall. I'm enthralled with the country and the culture, and especially petroglyphs and some extra moola would mean I could hire a jeep or horse and get to some spots I can't hike to. Week-long (or more) to Big Bend, Yosemite, Yellowstone as weather and tourist seasons permit. A couple of days at Canyon De Chelly. Do I have any $$ left??
Even in a fantasy, I'm torn between going back to places I love and want to explore further, and those I've only read about (wistfully). Would dear auntie like my bank account number for deposit purposes?
Backpacking Bering Land Bridge Preserve with time at the hot springs.
Yup, Gates of the Arctic for me as well. Happy New Year, NPT!
I would spend August visiting Kobuk Valley, Noatak, Cape Krusenstern, and Gates of the Arctic National Parks and Preserves. Then Katmai National Park at Brooks Camp with brown bears and other wildlife for the month of September.
Rent an RV and travel across the country to see as many parks as possible.
The sketches from the park resident artist were wonderful. I'm a photographer but the sketches along with her closing comment were a wonderful synopsis of a great experience coupled with a narrative that said it all. Bravo. I wish I had an aunt who could will me an enviable opportunity to see our great park system longer than just a glimpse.
All the parks in Alaska and Hawaii, none of which I have visited. Then the 4 or 5 parks in the lower 48 I haven't yet visited. Or - perhaps - buy a conversion van and hit the road.
Pinnacles! The hiking and boulder tunnels there sound amazing and to see condors would be a once in a lifetime experience!
With that money, I'd hire a guide/driver and visit every national park unit in the Midwest region.
Picture Rocks, Voyageurs, Isle Royale ...
But also the historic parks, like George Rogers Clark Historical Park.
This person would have to hike well, be willing and eager to drive long distances and camp, and most important, be enthusiastic about every park unit we visit.
Danny Bernstein
www.hikertohiker.com
National Sea Shore OBX NC so beautiful so peaceful so much history
Channel Islands National Park! Exploring every island via kayak, hiking, sailing, etc. It looks like the Galapagos out there!!
Scorpion Anchorage has the coolest sea caves in the world, hand's down.