National Parks are extremely underrated vacation spots. A lot of people don’t realize that some of the most beautiful places in the world are in the United States (no exaggeration). I’m talking breathtaking. In this article I’ve included information on 2 specific national parks- Zion and Sequoia. I highly recommend you watch some YouTube videos of these places. That will probably inspire you to visit these places yourself!
- Zion National Park
If you love nature, then Zion is your place. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world. You can hike and explore lush forests, the huge canyons, The Virgin River, and much more. There’s something for everyone at Zion. Like I mentioned in the last paragraph, watching YouTube videos is a great way to get excited about a potential trip.
Before you go though, make sure you’re relatively in shape. There is a lot of hiking. Although you could still go when you’re out of shape, being in shape will maximize your experience.
In terms of lodging, location matters a lot. Consider staying at Hotel Zion Inn. It’s very affordable and is a solid option. It’s around a 20 minute drive from Zion National Park. There are also some reasonably priced AirBNBs in La Verkin (the city where Hotel Zion Inn is, around 19 miles, or 20 minutes to the national park). Top rated AirBNBs charge as little as 84 to 100 dollars a night (prices will vary based on time of year, I’m writing this article in April).
However, if you want to stay inside the park, Zion National Park Lodge is a really good option. It is pretty expensive. It sells out months in advance. Prices can vary, but at the time of me writing this article, there are some rooms going for 257 dollars/night plus taxes. So, if you care about saving money, then refer to the paragraph above about places in La Verkin. It will still be an amazing experience. If you’re looking to save even more money, then you can camp. The Watchman Campground is a popular campground that has a variety of camping options (Electric Campsites, Tent Only Campsites, Group Campsites, and more). Check out this link for up-to-date information on camping options, fees, etc. Keep in mind you can make reservations up to 6 months in advance. Reservations are required for all the sites in Watchman Campground.
Here’s an important tip: If you want to avoid large crowds, then it’s recommended you get to the park very early. 6AM may be a good time to try to get there. Around 8AM is when the crowds will start to show up. Your experience will be more enjoyable if there aren’t a bunch of other people around. 1PM and later also might be a good time, because the morning crowd has left by then.
In terms of best hikes, The West Rim Trail is highly recommended. A lot of people think it’s the most scenic hike in the park. This trail usually isn’t very crowded, either.
Bonus Tip: Zion is around a 2 hour drive to Las Vegas. So, you can fit that into your trip if you want to.
Food recommendations: Whiptail Grill and Oscar’s Cafe. Deep Creek for breakfast
2. Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is famously known for its humongous sequoia trees. The General Sherman (which you can visit) is the largest tree in the world by volume. There are other stunning areas too- from canyons to rugged mountain peaks to alpine lakes. Mount Whitney, on the boundary of Sequoia National Park and Inyo National Forest, is one of the tallest mountains in the United States. Talking about Sequoia National Park it doesn’t really do it justice- I recommend looking up pictures and YouTube videos to get a feel for what it’s like.
Lodging:
Visalia is a popular city to stay at when visiting Sequoia National Park. It’s around a 45 minute drive to the park entrance. There are lots of good AirBNBs and hotels in Visalia. You can do some research and decide what works best for you. There are also some good restaurants. Staying in Visalia provides the most bang for your buck, as you are a reasonable distance from the park but not paying ridiculous prices.
The Sequoia Shuttle is a shuttle that goes from Visalia to Sequoia National Park. At the time of writing this, it is 20 dollars for a round trip to and from the park. You also get unlimited shuttle service inside the park. Reservations are required. I will link the website here if you want more information.
Things To Do:
Visit and hike through the Giant Forest. It is home to the General Sherman tree and numerous other gigantic Sequoia trees. According to visitsequoia.com, the Giant Forest is home to half of the Earth’s largest and longest-living trees. The Congress Trail is a very good trail where you’ll see a lot of Sequoias. It starts at the General Sherman tree.
Do the Tokopah Falls hike (it’s not a very difficult hike). However, it is a long hike. It has amazing views and features a waterfall at the end of it.
Hike Moro Rock Trail. You get an insane panoramic view of the park. Pretty much like a bird’s eye view. Although the views are great, maybe avoid it if you have a fear of heights.
If you’re afraid of heights, Crescent Meadow Loop might be a better option. It’s an easy hike that’s kid and senior friendly. It has gorgeous views of the meadows and trees. It is great if you’re looking for a nice and relaxing hike.