Category: Americas

Info/Tip Sand Sledding is a popular activity at White Sands National Park, the visitor center gift shop sells sled and wax, but if you’d have one to bring or buy one at walmart or target before heading into the park it is much cheaper. Remember to bring wax. Check NPS site for tour offered, the […]
We have family that moved to San Antonio last year and we have not seen them since the pandemic, since kids had the Jersey teacher convention week off we decided to plan a trip to Texas visiting national parks in the area and visit family. Trip Highlight 4 National Parks White Sands National Park Carlsbad […]
Info/Tips Garden of the Gods is free to enter Parking could be challenging at specific parking lots, there is a shuttle from visitor center to central garden loop. The main parking lot was congested so we did not even try, we were able to find parking by Giant Footprints (P11) and started the trail from […]
Info/Tip The Refuge is open sunrise to sunset, please check their website for visitor center hours. When we visited the visitor center was closed. The visitor center about 20 miles from Denver International Airport. Things to do Wildlife drive is a loop is 11 miles driving loop and take about 1 hour with stopping to […]
A visit to Denver around central market to look at art murals, Larimer st between 26th-28th street. Return to Colorado & Utah trip summary
Info/Tip Drive Pikes Peak Highway – 19 miles paved road to the summit or take the Pikes Peak Railway Cog train. When we visited all cars were asked to park at mile 16 and take the shuttle to the summit or you can drive to summit but can’t stop at summit (to reduce parking congestion […]
Info/Tip A quick stop if you are in the area, we stopped on our way to Pikes Peak and spent about 1 hour, kids did the junior ranger program. Things to do Petrified Forest Loop A 1.1 mile loop with several petrified redwood on the way. Back to Colorado & Utah trip Summary
Info/Tip Weather – In summer the sand gets very hot. Wear socks. Modena Creek – Check NPS website for Modena Creek current condition. When we visited beginning of July 2021 it was mostly dried up. Sandboarding/Sledding – Rent sandboard/sled before entering the park if that is something you want to do. The closest rental store […]
Info/Tip Book ranger led cliff tours: summer 2021, Ranger tours can be booked two weeks in advance, check NPS site for any update to tours. Tours sell out quickly (within minutes), be ready to book when they go on sale for the date you want. Mesa Top loop has audio tour available to download and […]
Info/Tip Hovenweep is a smaller historic site. It was on our way to Mesa Verde National Park. Weather: it can get hot in the summer. Things to do A short hike to canyon overlook, tower square and Hovenweep Castle Back to Colorado & Utah trip Summary