National Parks in USA

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johnno09

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Has anyone any experience of holidaying in the national parks in the states, Yellowstone or Yosemite? Cost/ recommended travel companies etc?
 
I have stayed at several places in Yosemite. Camp Curry is the tented camp and is popular. I think I remember the tents as 2 bunk beds in each. There is a restaurant on site. I have also stayed at the Awahnee (spelling??) which is very upmarket. Its a beautiful lodge with lots of wood and glass, a great restaurant too. I believe reservations for Camp Curry are through the parks service or perhaps ticketron - sorry for faulty memory - it has been many years..
 
I did a couple drive holidays over the last 5 years where I covered California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. I visited the following National Parks over the two holidays : Death Valley, Sequoia, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley (not technically a National Park), Arches, Byrce Canyon and Zion Canyon.

I would recommend any of the above particularly Yosemite, Death Valley, Grand Canyon and Monument Valley.

The best way to get around if you can is by hiring a car as you are quite flexible; try to have at least two drivers as it will tire you out big time otherwise. As far as accommodation is concerned, try to avoid staying in the parks themsleves as they are much more expensive (however it can be a long drive to the nearest motel outside the park e.g. Yosemite). There are plenty of great roadside motels and they are almost always a good standard
 
johnno09 said:
Has anyone any experience of holidaying in the national parks in the states, Yellowstone or Yosemite? Cost/ recommended travel companies etc?
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Just back from the US national parks (Yosemite, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Hoevenweep, Mesa Verde, Arches, Bryce Canyon and Zion NP.) No need for a travel company. You can do it yourself. There’s loads of info on the parks’ web sites. You should buy an “America the Beautiful annual pass” http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html, to save on entry fees as you can use it in all NPs. [Note that Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon are on the Navajo reservation (or the ‘ancestral homeland’ if you’re politically correct) so you can’t use the pass there.] We stayed in the tents in Currey Village in Yosemite and they were fine but if you can book far enough in advance there are cabins or the Yosemite Lodge. You can book through http://www.yosemitepark.com/accommodations.aspx. As the parks are in the middle of nowhere I’d suggest you book accommodation in advance rather than just turn up. We found the pumps at the gas stations did not recognize non-US credit cards (except for the one in Death Valley) and you have to pay in advance before filling up. It’s cheaper to bring your own satnav rather than rent one. It's worthwhile to go on the ranger-guided tours in the parks (and I recommend the National Geographic guided tour in Grand Canyon). We hired from Avis in San Francisco, who I’ve used before and have had no problems.
 
Death Valley?

Never even knew Death Valley was a park? always heard it was desert. :) Have to look into it now
 
samhugh said:
Never even knew Death Valley was a park? always heard it was desert. :) Have to look into it now
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Oh Yeah. It is probably one of the overlooked National Parks. The scenary is amazing

The downside is that it is a couple of hundred miles from the nearest city/town so make sure you have a full tank of fuel and plenty of water before heading into it. There is a village called Death Valley Junction nearby but it has a population of 11 if I remember correctly; it is possible to do as a day-trip from Las Vegas.

One other thing, it is HOT, HOT, HOT. Avoid in the summer months when it can reach above 50°C; even in January it is 20°C
 
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