Vacation Hacks During Covid-19
If you’re anything like me, when international travel went on hold during the onset of the pandemic you were determined to find a safe way to feed your wandering heart. Fortunately, there is no better time than now to explore the great outdoors, and with over 420 national parks in the US, there is plenty to discover! Not to mention, I am certain we could all use an extra dose of Mother Nature right now for our mental health.
So, in no particular order, here are 10 National Parks that absolutely warrant a visit and are safe to travel to during these unprecedented times.
Note: During COVID-19, many parks require a timed pass for entry. Passes can be purchased in advance from the respective National Park website.
1. Arches National Park
Arches, aptly named for the natural sandstone arches it is famous for, makes you feel as if you have left Earth and landed on Mars. The distinct salmon color of the sandstone gives the park an otherworldly feel.
Many of the arches are visible from the road or via an easy hike, so it’s feasible to conquer in a single day. My favorite hike was to the Delicate Arch, which is one of the more challenging ones. The 3-mile roundtrip is quite steep in parts and has virtually no shade, but is worth the impressive views!
2. Canyonlands National Park
If you are visiting Arches, it’s less visited neighbor Canyonlands is also worth exploring. With similar terrain as Arches, it is actually much larger and offers more difficult hikes and, of course, canyon views.
A must do at Canyonlands is seeing the sunrise at the Mesa Arch. It’ll call for an early morning (we got up at 3:00am!), but watching the sun come up over the canyon and light up the sky was an incredible sight and probably one of my favorite experiences in Moab. It is also a popular spot for photographers, so try to be there at least 45 mins to 1 hour before sunrise to get a good view away from the sea of tripods. Keep in mind that there is also a half-mile hike to get to the arch from the trailhead.
If waking up before sunrise isn’t your thing, Mesa Arch is also a popular spot for stargazing and witnessing the Milky Way.
3. Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park has some amazing lake hikes, but it is probably best known for Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the US. The road reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet and connects Estes Park on the East side of the park with Grand Lake on the West side. As the elevation rises, the tree line disappears and the terrain starts to turn from lush green to barren. It is quite the stark difference going from the bottom to the top!
Learn more about Rocky Mountain National Park here.
4. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone may be most famous for all its geysers, including Old Faithful, but the park has so much more to offer. There are lots of scenic drives showcasing colorful fields of wildflowers, idyllic picnic spots and ample animal viewing. Each trip I have been lucky enough to see bears, deer and lots of buffalo roaming throughout the park!
5. Grand Teton National Park
Located just 30 miles south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming offers stunning scenery and many opportunities for moose sightings. Its close proximity to Jackson Hole also makes it the perfect destination to embrace nature and explore a charming mountain town. Check out the Jenny Lake hike for panoramic views!
6. Glacier National Park
If there is Heaven on Earth, Glacier National Park is it. With part of the park in the US and part in Canada, this experience is one that will leave you saying “wow” at every corner. Make sure not to miss the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road to witness stunning views of the park.
7. The Grand Canyon
Visiting The Grand Canyon has been on my bucket list of national parks for far too long. When the weather became uncooperative for our original plans during a weekend stay in Flagstaff, we spontaneously hopped in the car and headed to the Grand Canyon. A quick 90 minute drive later we were at the South Rim. It made for a long day and we had to power-explore the park, but holy smokes, was it worth it. The Grand Canyon truly is an impressive sight, especially if you can catch it on a clear day!
8. Volcanoes National Park
If you have an opportunity to escape the mainland, head to Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii to take in a glimpse of two active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. It is crazy to think they could erupt at any time! The Chain of Craters Road offers views of dried lava from previous eruptions.
9. Joshua Tree National Park
I didn’t get to spend as much time in Joshua Tree as I would have liked, but the sneak peak I got left me wanting to return again someday. The park is named for its Joshua Trees; resilient prickly little trees that are found all over the converging landscape of the Mojave and Colorado deserts. The area is also well-known for the Coachella Valley that hosts the Coachella music festival every year. If you are looking to “glamp” there are many wonderful opportunities at Joshua Tree from teepees to multi-room luxury tents.
10. Monument Valley
Although not technically a National Park, Monument Valley is a beautiful area to visit if you are near the Utah/Arizona border. There are several National Parks in the surrounding area including Bryce Canyon and Zion in Utah. You can also take a closer look at the buttes by visiting Navajo National Park.
I hope this provides inspiration for some socially distanced travel! Do you have a favorite National Park? We’d love to hear about it!
If you want to use the photo it would also be good to check with the artist beforehand in case it is subject to copyright. Best wishes. Aaren Reggis Sela
Hello! These are actually all our images and we have the original proofs – we would never steal another artists work. Given the popularity of the parks, similar photos are frequently taken. However, we take it as a compliment that you felt our amatuer photography skills are on par with professionals! Cheers!