Visit nature’s playgrounds: National parks
Mix together a dash of the open road, a pinch of the wilderness, and a cup of adventure to have the perfect recipe that will lead to an unforgettable Spring Break.
There are a variety of popular destinations that students visit during Spring Break to escape from the drudgeries of school; many of these are also Mother Nature’s playgrounds.
In Utah alone there are five national park: Zion’s National Park, Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park.
According to www.utah.com, “Delicate Arch, Utah’s scenic red rock icon, and the twisting waters of the Zion Narrows, are only two of the awe-inspiring surprises enclosed within Utah’s national parks’ boundaries. Whichever park you visit, you’re sure to discover splashes of natural color and unique formations, making for a remarkable experience.”
Each of the parks is located in southeast Utah. Some of the parks like Zion’s are just a few miles out of the way in route to Anaheim.
“It’s probably one of the best times of the year to visit Utah’s National Parks,” said Spencer Kinard, the assistant director of the Utah Travel Council. “One of the main factors is the weather, it’s not as hot. Another key factor is that it’s not as crowded.”
Each of the different parks offers their own individual flavor to the scenery of Utah.
According to www.utah.com at Arches you will find “the world’s largest concentration of natural stone arches. The 73,000-acre region has over 2,000 of these ‘miracles of nature.'”
At Bryce Canyon there are many activities to participate in. Bryce Canyon is known for its cliffs and amphitheaters. One of the most popular activities at Bryce Canyon is hiking. There are more than 50 miles of hikeable trails which range from beginner to advanced.
Winding through the Canyonlands National Parks are the Green and Colorado Rivers that are popular destinations for white-water rafting. Canyonlands is also Utah’s largest national park.
“This is the best time of the year to be in Canyonlands National Park because the weather is so nice,” Kinard said.
Zion’s National Park has nearly 3 million people visiting the park every year. Aside from being Utah’s most popular park it is also the oldest. There are two famous hikes that are nestled into Zion’s – Angels Landing and Zion Narrows.
“Experience the power of rushing water as you make your way through the Narrows, letting the stream itself serve as your trail. With canyon walls that are hundreds of feet high and at times only an arm’s-stretch-apart, the Narrows provide an exciting hike, but can be dangerous,” according to www.utah.com.
Capitol Reef National Park is known for its sandstone formations and cliffs. There is a 100-mile long bulge in Earth’s crust, according the Web site. Kinard said that at this time of the year hiking in the park is awesome.
“To live in and be right here in Utah and not see what these parks have to offer would be missing part of your education,” Kinard said.
Visiting these parks brings awesome sights, and an abundance of activities. There are entrance fees into the parks. For more information about the parks call 1-800-UTAH-FUN or www.utah.com.
-rbarlow@cc.usu.edu