Van Life Wanderer
Exploring Freedom - A Van Life Blog
When you think National Park, you think somewhere in the lower 48. Hopefully it’s a day’s drive away and fun for the whole family. If you look ever so slightly north – okay, a couple hours – into Alaska, you’ll find an incredible experience in Katmai National Park and Nature Reserve. And just because it’s in Alaska doesn’t mean it’s all about the winter sports! It makes for a wonderful year-round vacation.
Though its name may lead you to picture another Grand Canyon, the Great Basin National Park is actually a conglomerate of many different natural features. A mix of mountains and deep caves, rivers and deserts allow for beautiful adventures among some of America’s oldest natural features. Human interaction with the land has shaped certain areas, creating archaeological sites of interest.
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Glacier National Park is one of the top scenic destinations in the country. When you visit, the beauty is etched in your mind for a lifetime. And driving through the park is half of the fun.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only road to traverse the entire park and provides outrageously gorgeous views all along the way. It is best described by travelers in two words: spectacular and frightening. The road is one of the most scenic drives in the United States, but in some parts, it gets your heart racing – especially when it is your first trip on the road. Each time you use it, you’ll find it easier. It just takes some getting used to.
Let’s shine some light on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
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Great Sand Dunes National Park, located in south Colorado, attracts millions of visitors every year. Aside from hosting the tallest sand dunes in North America, the Great Sand Dunes provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, sandboarding, photography, and night sky viewing.
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Gates of the Arctic National Park is a haven for travelers who are looking for solitude. Located in northern Alaska, Gates of the Arctic is where photographers, climbers, and explorers alike capture iconic and picturesque scenes. You’ve probably already seen a picture of Gates of the Arctic in a magazine without even knowing it.
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park is known worldwide for its breathtaking sights and Texas’ highest summit, Guadalupe Peak. Hikers and campers travel from all over the world to see this beautiful national park in western Texas. Whether you’re planning a trip to Guadalupe to rest or take part in high-energy activities, a little bit of planning can go a long way. Keep reading to learn about the best ways to prepare for your upcoming trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
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(photo: Jeffhollett)
The North Cascades National Park is truly a unique experience for anyone looking to explore some of Northern Washington’s beautiful landscape. With glaciers, steep mountains, valleys, waterfalls and more there’s no shortage of views to take your breath away.
It’s one of the most renowned and visited of all the National Parks and with good reason. Read on to find out more!
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Kobuk Valley National Park is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience; with no roads, highways, trails, or campgrounds for hundreds of miles around, you’re in for a truly non-traditional backcountry trip.
In addition to endangered wildlife and sights that not many travelers have had the privilege of seeing, Kobuk Valley’s attractions and activities are 100% worth visiting. Keep reading to find out why!
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Aside from having its own song, its own chapter in history textbooks, and its own culture and folklore, Shenandoah National Park is easily one of the most recognizable and well-known national parks in the U.S.
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