Beautiful Scenery, Historic Trails, and Inexpensive Vacations

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Sound like a plan?

If you would like to take an inexpensive vacation while discovering and exploring the history and natural beauty of the United States in a low-stress manner...why not consider time spent at a National or State park?

The US National Park Service makes it easy and if you are a US tax-paying citizen, your tax dollars are paying to provide not only the information, but also the care, nurturing and availability of these parks to the general public. It is a real waste to not take advantage...

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Clicking on the NPS link allows you to search for parks by name, location, activity or topic. You can also begin your vacation research by selecting particular states. The screenshot shown here from the National Park's web site shows just the beginning of all the information you can gather about parks in California. There are over 400 parks to choose from with destinations and activities available as vast as the state itself.

From Alcatraz and Joshua Tree to the Muir Woods and Yosemite, information on scenic parks and historic activities is all at your fingertips. Parks didn't just happen. If you've watched any of the Ken Burn's "National Parks - America's Best Idea" episodes on PBS, you will have learned that many people before us created the parks as a way to save our environment for future generations. We are the current recipients able to benefit from this forward-thinking group of people.

Amazon.com also has this available for your perusal with an instant audio download via the link to your right.

Looking for US state park camping facilities and campgrounds? The National Parks Conservation Association has a handy list and search feature.

Also on the NPS web site is the ability to search the National Register of Historic Places. With over 80,000 listings consisting of sites, structures and objects, this is a comprehensive resource of valuable vacation destination and activity information. I'll be writing a specific page soon to discuss Historic vacations and destinations soon...and I'll be enjoying that research!

Take a walk right now in the Grand Canyon along Bright Angel Trail...

Watch more Grand Canyon videos at tripfilms.com

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The National Parks Conservation Association also has links to a LOT of State information. Slideshows of various park systems are available from such diverse locations as: Grand Canyon National Park to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to Historic Jamestown, Virginia to Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

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You need to know....

These are VERY popular tourist destinations. Whether you are visiting the US from another country or not, you will need to plan WELL in advance. Many parks take reservations up to 11 months in advance and many travelers make staying at these exciting locations a family tradition - meaning they book each year at the earliest chance.

Be aware of specific confirmation requirements. Two days in advance of your arrival is when most park administrators need to hear from you. Why? Because they usually have a lot of people who will gladly take your spot if you are not planning to attend. 48 hours notice gives the "Plan B" reservation time to get moving. Cancel without proper notification and you will likely incur a fee - probably a lot less than your average hotel will charge you.

Many park venues have a two-day minimum stay. This should not be a problem unless you have dire requirements to be somewhere else soon and only have one night to plan a stay somewhere. This is not the best opportunity to plan a park stay since you will not have time to see and visit even 50% of what most parks have to offer.

The State of North Carolina does a really nice job providing prospective visitors with useful information about the NC Park system and also has an efficient reservation page - part of which is shown below...

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This feature is available on most if not all individual state's home pages or via their Departments of Natural Resources or, as in the North Carolina example, the State's Division of Parks and Recreation.

Using the search feature on the NC web site I was able to quickly locate a park in the State, with a mountain locations and cabins for rent - in about ten seconds. The link to that park even provides GPS coordinates!

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States are working hard for your tourist dollar and you, the traveler, benefit by speedy access to information and a huge variety of attractions, activities and venues to choose from - all part of YOUR parks - America's Best Idea....

Take advantage and have fun!

Need some quick inspiration?

Find the ideal destination      Try a virtual visit or two      Ponder a vacation rental instead of a hotel
Take or give a Spa Day      Head out to a working farm vacation      Become an "Intrepid" traveler

Learn how to master Mountain Biking...

The possibilities are endless...

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Still in the early planning stages of your country vacation? Then head back to things that may prove useful including a quiz to test your vacation personality, a handy vacation planning starter list of things to consider about where you want to go and what you want to do, along with some luggage options and suggestions, and a thought or two about securing your main home-base property so things will remain secure there while you are on your country vacation.

Don't forget to travel safe and secure while you're at it...

Questions? Comments? Please email us here.

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