NATIONAL PARKS
VACATIONS, OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
LODGING & ACTIVITES, TOP ATTRACTIONS
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For the last eighty years, national parks have helped city dwellers to exchange their urban ways for wilderness vacations, escapes and rustic pleasures. Park visitors have savored the romantic solitude, dramatic scenery, woodsy vistas, and hardy outdoorsmanship and recreation.

Today, the natural beauty of a national park prompts visitors to rest, reflect, and re-connect like those before them. Many visitors return home with happy memories of a family gathering or romantic interlude.

Henry David Thoreau wrote: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to confront only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

For non-campers, there is a great variety of accommodations that will attract you grandly. Most have lodges, cabins, and hotels that are in places far removed from the peak pressures of the cities. National parks are for your pleasure, relaxation, and spirit. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "Nature always wears the colors of the spirit."

The United States National Parks have a "passport" program that encourages visitors to get stamps at each site they visit. Some vacationers have decided that visiting all of the parks and monuments is a possibility. There are 390 National Parks and Monuments, which include presidential homes and birthplaces and Civil War sites. Japan National Parks have a Ranger Program for kids that teaches them about nature and the environment.

Some of the enchantment of parks has to do with history and the desire to keep learning. Visiting these parks is a way to keep learning.

Most of these parks offer wildlife observation, hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, skiing, and many other adventures and outdoor recreation.

Use some of the ideas below to help find family, romantic, outdoor recreation, or retreat and relaxation destinations that will incorporate as many of your individual likes and individual style as possible.

CAMPING ALERT

The U.S. Forest Service has recently closed 21 campgrouinds and recreation sites in Colorado and Wyoming for the summer. The closure is due to the savage beating that old 60 foot trees have suffered from bark beetles. Seventeen other sites will open late, after dangerous trees are removed. The trees that have been killed could be toppled by winds or other causes and thus must be removed.

Dead trees are always a safety issue for hikers, backpackers, and campers. Bark beetles have also ravaged trees in Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona. To make sure your trip, hike or camping is not affected it might be a good idea to contact the Forest Service in the state you are planning to visit or go to their web site.

ALASKA

DENALI PARK

Denali National Park Top Attractions, Activities, & Tours
Denali National Park is home to Mount McKinley, North America’s highest mountain(20,320 feet) of all its national parks, plus 156 species of birds, a large variety of wildflowers and berries, Tundra, Taiga, glaciers, and mammals such as bears, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep, and moose.

Discover Deanali’s scenic, natural, and historic wonders and partake in a Ranger/Naturalist program. Learn about the geological forces that forged its landscape. Enjoy its activities such biking, birding, bus tours, camping, driving tours, fishing, hiking, photography, ranger led activities, and wildlife watching.

NORTHWEST

CALIFORNIA

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Lodging
Experience the awesome beauty of lodging and dining among the green giants of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Trees grow to giants everywhere in the two parks. Could it be that their secret to success comes from their immense mountain surroundings and huge elevation ranges of 1,500’ to 14,1491’? Because of their large elevation range they have stunningly diverse habitats.

In these parks,the Generals Highway climbs over 5000 feet from chaparral and oak-studded foothills to the awe-inspiring sequoia groves. From there, trails lead to the high-alpine wilderness which makes up most of these parks. Beneath its surface lies 200 fascinating caverns.

In this verdant northwest region, recreational opportunities are plentiful. Highest visitation is in July and August. Note, it can be difficult to get a camping site at popular campgrounds in the summer on Saturdays

The two main entrances to these parks are on highways 198 and 180. Check with Park Management to check if there are other any winter closures than shown below. In general, the main entrances are open daily.

Winter Closures: The Mineral King area in Sequoia Park & the Cedar Grove area in Kings Canyon Park

Mineral King is open late May through October 31. Cedar Grove is open mid-April to mid-November. Crystal Cave, some campgrounds and several side roads close for the winter. The main road may close between Lodgepole & Grant Grove during and after storms for plowing.

COLORADO

Rocky Mountain National Park - Activities, Attractions, and Lodging
Rocky Mountain National Park could be referred to as the “The roof of the Rockies.” It is one of the highest national parks and because of this it offers visitors an unusual vacation. Wildlife viewing is unusually plentiful so keep your eyes, binoculars, and camera peeled for moose, elk, and bears. Wildlife are known to stroll into town around Grand Lake. Lodging: Accommodations take on a touch of romance and serenity at the Park with lodging nestled in the mountains with scenic lake and mountain river views in Grand Lake, Columbine Lake, Shadow Mountain Lake, and Lake Granby. See also Grand Lake Inn, Grand Lake luxurious home or condo rentals, Rapids Lodge and Restaurant, Rapids Cabins, Asper & Fox Glenn cottages, & River View condominiums.

Summer Park Activities: include backpacking, bicycling, boating, camping guide, canoeing, hiking, fishing, golfing, sightseeing, history and culture, and courses on geology, wildflowers and wild life.

Fall activities: include wildlife viewing.

Winter activities: abound with cross country skiing in three nearby Nordic Centers, Snowshoeing Festival (Feb.13-16), snowmobiling on the 150 miles of trails in the Arapahoe National Forest (rated the best in North America), ice fishing at Grand Lake, Mountain Lake, Shadow Lake, and Lake Granby(see ice fishing contests). Alpine skiing is available – 30 minutes from Sol Vista Ski Resort and – 45 minutes to Winterpark Ski Resort.

Attractions: If you want to soar with eagles at the high elevation of the park (8,000 feet to over 14,000 feet) you need to take time to acclimatize. People with various medical problems should check with their physician before visiting the park. Trail Ridge Road is an attraction that crosses the Continental Divide and has views of dozens of peaks that soar more than 13,000 feet high. Longs Peak, the highest peak in the park, is 14,255 feet in elevation. Trail Ridge Road has a high point of 12,183 feet. The road is not open from late fall, to the Memorial Day weekend. It lies between 8,000 feet and 13,000 feet. Trail Ridge Road, was designated as an "All-American Road" in 1996, is one of the great alpine highways in the United States. This great alpine highway crosses the Rocky Mountain Park from east to west, then descends into the Kawuneeche Valley, where the North Fork of the Colorado River flows. You may think that you have entered the Artic Circle when you drive across the Trail Ridge Road at 12,183 feet. It is usually open from Memorial Day to mid-Oct depending on snowfall. If you are pulling a trailer you will experience reduced power at this high altitude. Take three or four hours for this 50 mile scenic drive, stopping at the overlooks to absorb far-spreading views of Rocky Mountain's peaks and valleys.

MONTANA
Glacier National Park lodging, activities, and tours
Glacier National Park features forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, lakes, trails, and wildlife viewing. The Blackfoot Indians named the ecosystem of Glacier Park the “Backbone of the World.”

Lodging: at the Park lets visitors relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, transportation, and stories of Native Americans.

Activities: in the Park are plentiful for outdoor recreation lovers. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker’s paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness, solitude, and retreats. It is good for family vacations as kids can earn Junior Ranger Program badges. Other outdoor pursuits include backpacking, backcountry camping, bicycling, bus tours, cross country skiing, fishing, guided hiking trips, and hiking. Weather conditions in the mountains can change quickly during one day. Temperatures can be sunny and clear in the 90’s then get snow showers and falling temperatures. In 2005, an 8” snowfall in one night sent many backpackers away from the park.

Tours:This Park has boat and bus tours with commentary and interpretation plus a shuttle systems which offer visitors independence and a chance to familiarize themselves with the park before they decide what they want to do most in the park.

• Boat tours can show you around Glacier Park with trips deep into the park at Many Glacier, Two Medicine, Rising Sun, and Lake McDonald. Call(406)257-2426.
• Glacier Park, Inc. operates a shuttle service to various destinations. Call (406)892-2525.
• Glacier Park provides an optional point-to-point shuttle system which travels only on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
• Sun Tours offers daily tours throughout the park in a 25 passenger bus with air conditioning. They operate from West Glacier, East Glacier, St. Mary, and Browning.
• Tours are also available throughout the park from Glacier Park Inc. Call (406)892-2525.

Travel Tip:Size restrictions may prevent some vehicles from traveling over the Going-to-the-Sun Road in the park. Parts of the road may be closed from time to time for repairs. See what alternatives are best for you for travel if this applies to you.

WASHINGTON

Olympic National Park, Washington – top attractions, lodging, and activities
Note:

Olympic National Park in Washington state is one of several parks undergoing major repairs because of heavy rains, floods, and high winds caused which caused a lot of damage this winter (2008). Some areas may remain closed. Olympic National Park usually receives 3 million visitors a year.

Olympic National Park was named a ”World Heritage Park” by the United Nations in 1981. It was one of 100 national parks in the world to receive that honor. The park and its Olympia Peninsula offer great diversity, geography, and beautiful views of snow capped mountains and the ocean.

Attractions include: Elwha Area, Hoh Rain Forest, Hoh River to Queets River, Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, North Olympic Coast, Ozette area, Quinault Valley and eastside, Rialto Beach & south, & Sol Duc Hot Springs.

Activities: Fly fishing for salmon & steelhead trout, Audubon-guided bird watching, bicycling, bike trips, boating on the ocean, lakes, rivers for canoes, kayaks, sailing, power boats, and water skiing. There is also golfing, hiking, campfire programs(15 campgrounds) swimming, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, & snowshoeing, plus Dungeness Spit nature walks with a botanist with commentary in the Hoh Rain Forest.

Camping is at Deer Park, Dosewallings, North Fork – All first come first served except for groups of three, Then, call park for reservations. Food service is available in the park. No showers.

Lodging: Inside the Park:

• Port Angeles, WA Lake Crescent Lodge on US 101 – lodge rooms, cottages, & motel type rooms.
• Log Cabin Resort – Lodge rooms, rustic cabins, camping log cabins, & full hook- up RV sites.
• Sol Duc Hot Springs resort – cabins, RV spaces, hot springs and freshwater pools. Located near major trailheads
• Outside the Park:
• Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Forest, WA – south shore.
• Kalaloch Lodge, Fork, WA – on Us101

• RV Parks and Camping: Port Angeles, WA
• Harrison Beach Campgrounds – Enjoy the scenic Straits de Fuca at Harrison Beach.
• Rainbow’s End RV Park – Faces the snow capped Olympic Mountains.

See other nearby areas for attractions, activities, and lodging of the Park.

WEST

UTAH

Arches National Park, Utah – Attractions, Activities, & Lodging
Of all the national parks, Arches National Park, Utah contains the world’s largest concentration of natural stone arches. The 73,000 acre region of Arches Park has over 2,000 of these “miracles of nature” in the form of sandstone fins, spires, pinnacles, balanced rock, and arches.

Attractions: A 40- mile round-trip by car on paved road or bicycling across the park's scenic drive leads visitors past the uncanny natural features known as: Park Avenue, Three Gossips, Garden of Eden, The Great Wall, Balanced Rock,Fiery Furnace, Double Arch,& Skyline Arch. There are also 1,500 other arches but they are not famous. Note bikers can make shorter trips by turning around or driving a ways before bicycling.

Activities: include camping, backpacking,biking, guided walks into the Fiery Furnace,(reservations are required from the Visitor center), hiking the same sandstone trails as pre historic Native Indians, and campfire programs.

Lodging: in the park consist only of camping at the Devil's Garden campground. Otherwise the nearest accommodations are in the town of Moab which is in between the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Moab offers a wide assortment of motels, hotels,and resorts.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. – Vacations, Attractions, Activities, & Lodging
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah is a mesmerizing place with overlooks that keep you taking photos and staring in wonder for hours. An interesting Indian legend tells why the rocks at Bryce display such amazing shapes. Natural wonders and little population gives visitors their own retreat vacations.

Attractions: Bryce Canyon is the only park with thousands of delicately carved spires and pinnacles called “Hoodoos” which rise in brilliant color from the series of “amphitheaters” of Bryce Canyon National Park. The “Hoodoos” are eroded rocks that were caused by millions of years of wind, water, and “geological mayhem.” In fact, Bryce Canyon is not really a canyon but the eroded result of the eastern slope of the Paunsaguant Plateau.

Visitors may take a 37-mile round trip drive to Bryce Canyon’s most famous viewpoints, which are dizzying in scope, including Sunrise, Sunset, Rainbow, Yovimpa, and Inspiration Points. Ebenezer Bryce, an early rancher and the park's namesake, described Bryce as “a helluva place to lose a cow.” Other attractions in Southern Utah ( 50 miles away or more)include Heritage/Culture, Performing Arts, Dinosaur, Museums, and Spa/Retreats.

Activities: In addition to RV Parks and camping, Bryce Canyon offers over a dozen activities such as adventure trips, biking, fishing, walking & hiking trails, rafting/kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sightseeing, scenic drives, & sightseeing tours. If you are a camper, to start your search for the perfect campground click a point of interest on the map. See also favorite camping areas.

Lodging: There is only one in-park lodging place. It is Bryce Canyon Lodge and offers a 1920’s elegance and is on the National Historic Register. Enjoy a quiet and retreat atmosphere without televisions plus fine dining in the main lodge.

Just outside the Park is:

• Bryce Canyon Resort - featuring renovated motel rooms, cabins, cottages, and Suites, plus Scenic Tours and fine dining.
• Bryce View Lodge on the edge of the pine forest on a plateau that overlooks the Park.
• Bryce Canyon Pines Motel & RV Campground - It is on Highway 12 less than 5 minutes from the Park. It is in a ponderosa forest and offers cottages, motel, full service RV, plus heated pool and spa, and restaurant.
• See additional lodging at closest towns of Tropic(25.miles), Cannonville(17.2 miles), Panquitch(25.3 miles), Hatch(26.7 miles), and other towns (50 miles plus).

ARIZONA

Grand Canyon National Park – Vacations, Lodging, Tours
Of all the national parks, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona can be enjoyed from near or from afar. Thecanyon.com is a virtual treasure trove of up-to-date information on the world’s most famous chasm. Along with amazing Grand Canyon facts and information, thecanyon.com features Grand Canyon Nation…Park hotels and lodging including Grand Canyon bed and breakfast, cabins and more; Grand Canyon tours including Grand Canyon helicopter tours, Grand Canyon river rafting tours &float trips, guidedGrand Canyon hiking and van and jeep sightseeing tours; and Grand Canyon restaurants, Grand Canyon real estate and land for sale and Grand Canyon photos.

TEXAS

Big Ben National Park - Campgrounds, Hiking, & Travel Tips
Big Ben National Park is sometimes considered as “three national parks in One.” Big Ben includes mountain, desert, and river environments. An hour’s drive can take you from the Rio Grande to a mountain basin nearly a mile high. Here you can explore one of the last remaining wild corners of the United States, and experience unmatched sights, sounds, and solitude.

The busiest time of the year is The Spring Break period in mid-March when lodging and campsites are overbooked. Big Ben offers a multitude of backcountry experiences. The Chios Mountains offer a high-altitude retreat from the desert, and open-zone camping offers limitless desert exploration.

While the isolation of Big Bend Park is a drawing point for many visitors, it also means that your trip must be well prepared and carefully planned. Big Ben Park is located in southwest Texas, hundreds of miles away from the nearest cities and transportation hubs. There is no public transportation in Big Ben Park.

Distances between towns and services can be considerable. Always be sure you have plenty of gas, oil, food and water for your trip. The park has four camper stores, but supply and selection can be limited. There are small stores in the communities outside the park. The last major shopping areas (grocery and hardware stores) are Alpine, Fort Stockton, and Del Rio.

NORTHEAST

MAINE
Acadia National Park, Maine – Vacations, Activities, Lodging
Acadia National Park, Maine is a wonderful place for a vacation from spring to fall. At this site you will find links for hotels, restaurants, weather info, activities, artists, airport, lobster, camping, hiking, kayaking, nature watching, and multitude of things to do and a detailed description about the park. However, Mount Desert Island, Cadillac Mountain, Schoodic Point, and Down East can be found at the Acadia Park Bookshelf rather than here.

MIDATLANTIC

VIRGINIA

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia – Vacations, Adventures, Lodging, RV & Camping
In 1926 the U.S. Congress established the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to preserve and protect over 350,000 acres of eastern deciduous forest and farms, now a sanctuary for more than 100 variety of trees, 200 species of birds, and 1,100 flowering plants. Today, approximately 1.5 million million visitors come to Shenandoah each year to enjoy this natural wonder. It is hoped that this park, created as a peaceful refuge for nearby urban populations, can continue to offer relaxation, recreation, and inspiration to many generations to come. View special getaway packages for adventure, romance, hiking, explorer, & AAA.

CANADA

ALBERTA

Banff National Park, Alberta, CA – Vacations, Activities, Lodging
Welcome to Banff, a hamlet of Lake Louise, in the center of Banff National Park, flanked on all sides by Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. 4.5 million visitors a year are attracted to this, Canada’s most famous park. Banff Park features distinctive mountain vacations, the grandeur of pristine surroundings, unparalleled recreational opportunities and some of Canada’s finest shopping and dining.

Enjoy deep powder skiing or snowboarding at Sunshine Village Ski Resort and Norquay plus some of the world’s largest ski and snowboard events. Banff Park itself offers opportunities for mountain climbing, hiking excursions, and wildlife viewing. Banff offers great bird-watching. 260 species of birds have been recorded such as the Varied Thrush and Townsend’s Warbler. Try birding at the Banff Town site, at the foot of Tunnel Mountain, upstream of the Bow River bridge, Vermillion Lakes, or Johnston’s Canyon.

Banff has also built a reputation as a popular weekend retreat, destination during the warm summer months. Lake Louise has been identified as the ultimate getaway and has been often visited by international royalty and celebrities.

Jasper National Park, Alberta, CA – Vacations, Activities, Lodging
Jasper National Park of Alberta,Canada is one of Canada’s largest Rocky Mountain National Parks and one of North America’s largest - spanning 4,200 square miles of awe-inspiring scenic splendor. Jasper Park in the Canadian Rockies ia a World Heritage Site. Jasper is Internationally recognized as a four season destination. View accommodations, camping, services, facilities, activities, and visitor attractions.

ONTARIO
Canada and USA National Park Vacations
View Canadian and USA national parks including Ontario, Nova Scotia, Canada Olympic Park, & US National Monuments network.

UNITED KINGDOM

ENGLAND, WALES, & SCOTLAND

National Park Activities in England, Wales, & Scotland
The National Parks in England, Wales, and Scotland is home to some of the most spectacular and valued landscapes in Britain.

Millions of visitors enjoy the peace and tranquility of these unique areas. Many of these regions have been shaped over thousands of years by those who have lived and worked there.

Activities:

• Hartsop Archaeology Walk
• Lake District - North East

• Mossdale Bay Lakeside Stroll
• Lake District North - East

• Lakeland Scenes and Activities
• Lakeland District - North West

IRELAND

Ireland National Park, Garden, & Historic Attractions
Ireland is rich in its national parks, gardens, historic sites with abbeys, cathedrals, castles, and heritage. The following is a highlight of some of Ireland’s heritage:

• East
• Wicklow Mountains National
• The John F. Kennedy Arboretum (Wexford)
• The Wexford Waterfowl Reserve (Wexford)
• Kilmacurragh (Wicklow)
• North
• Glenveagh National (Donegal)
• West
• Connemara National (Galway)
• South
• Ilnacullin (Garnish Island) (Cork)
• Dublin Area
• National Botanical Gardens (Dublin)
• St Stephens Green (Dublin)
• Garden of Rememberance (Dublin)

EUROPEAN ALPS

AUSTRIA, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, and SWITZERLAND

National Parks Vacations in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland – Alps Europe
Discover National Parks in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, & Switzerland. To preserve the beauty of the Alps, all countries have created a number of parks. Join guided tours or explore the incomparable landscapes of these parks on your own for nature experiences way off the beaten path.

Some of the most popular choices are as follows:

• In Murnau am Staffelsee, Bavaria, a cultural and scenic highlight on the Romantic Road, the fantastic scenery and atmosphere inspired the Blue Rider group to create Expressionist masterpieces.
• The Hohe Tauern National Park covers huge areas in the three provinces of Carinthia, Saltzburg, and Tirol and is home to Austria’s tallest mountain, Grossglockner.
• In France, the grandeur of the villages of the Savoie Mountains, the Tarantaise Mountains, the Vanoise National Park, and the mountainous province of Maruienne provide open spaces and pristine air. In the mountains, French national parks make up thousands of acres of protected country, natural reserves for animals and vegetation, and fascinating river and water landscapes.
• Germany has 15 national parks in its north with unique flora, fauna, and landscapes. Its Bavarian National Park together with the Sumava National Park (Bohemian Forest) represents Central Europe’s largest protected closed woodland.
• Of Italy’s famous Parks, four are located in the Alpine Region. They are: The National Park of the Gran Paradiso, The Val Grande Park with its views from Mount Rosa to Lake Maggiore, the landscape of Stelvio Park, and the Park Dolomiti Bellunesi with an infinity of pathways to choose from and wildlife to admire.
• Switzerland’s Swiss National Park is the oldest Central European and Alpine park and is famous for its great variety of Alpine fauna and flora and its virtually intact natural landscape. The park is situated in the Engadine and Mustair valleys of the canton of Graubunden.

JAPAN

Japan National Park Vacations – Attractions, Activities, Lodging
Japan has 29 National Parks, 56 Quasi-National, plus 47 Prefectures in their national park system. 80% of Japan is mountainous and scenic with many vacation spots for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, hot springs, history, culture, relaxation, and sightseeing. Japan has 2,000 hot springs which attract over 1 billion bathers a year. Japan has over 600 ski and snowboard resorts, the largest number in the world for a country. See some of the top famous World Heritage Park Sites. See the Top 10 Japan National Parks.

Lodging: One of the attractive features of Japan is its variety of unique environments and accommodations. Japan’s environment varies with its boundaries which extend as far north as Maine and as far south as Florida. Its northern climate is sub-artic and its southern climate is sub-tropical.

Japan features some of the most luxurious lodging in the world from luxury hotels and traditional Japanese inns (Ryokan), also called guest houses, to capsule hotels. Japanese accommodations abound in all types in most places to satisfy all budgets as follows:

• For those who wish to personally experience the lifestyle, architecture, and culture of Japan, the ryokan or Japanese inn is the accommodation of choice. A ryokan expresses the very essence and intimacy of Japanese tradition and elegance as accommodation. Room rates include two meals per day. For a Ryokan Directory by Prefecture or list of luxury ryokan go to www.ryokan.or.jp or www.e-stay.jp.

• A minshuku is a Japanese bed and breakfast in a family home often located in a resort area with home style cooking. They may have some do-it-yourself requirements. For more information contact www.e-stay.jp.

• Western hotels in Japan are just as good as in Western cultures and offer more English speaking staff and extensive facilities.

• Kokumin Shukusha are moderately priced “people’s lodges” or government hotels located in national parks or resort areas. They are popular with Japanese school groups and families. Facilities are often shared. Some have the best scenic outlooks on hilltops but often can only be visited by car. Room rates include two meals a day and great service which makes them popular. Advanced reservations are advisable.

• Park Resort Villages have been established in National and Quasi areas which are suitable for lodging and recreational activities. The Villages offer lodging which is neat and inexpensive. There are currently 34 Vacation Villages plus non-profit picnic sites, trails, and camping sites. However, the Park also manages for profit hotels, lodges, and ski lifts. Hikers and walkers will enjoy an event called ‘Green Walk” around April 23-26 plus October for “Month for Nature Trail Walking.”

• Campsites are called Kyompu-jo and are located in many beautiful locations in the Japan park system. and some can only be reached by car. Parks in Hokkaido have complementary features such as coin laundries, kitchens, and hot springs.

• Shukubo are moderately priced Buddhist “temple lodgings” with simple rooms. They are all over Japan and offer a traveler peace, tranquility, and participation in a unique setting. For temples with lodging go to www.shukubo.jp. Japan has several temples that are World Heritage Sites.

• Capsule Hotels are usually close to railway stations but are simple accommodations with enough room to sit up, lie down or watch TV.

  Attractions and Activities: Japan has scenic mountains, coastlines, and islands. Japan is made up of four main islands surrounded by 4,000 more. The four main islands are:

  • Hokkaido (northern island)
  • Honshu(main island)
  • Shikoku (smallest island)
  • Kyushu (southern island)

  In addition to its World Heritage Sites, Japan has several "World Famous National Parks”. They are as follows:

  Hokkaido North Region
  • Akan National Park is home to Mashu Lake one of the world’s cleanest lakes. It offers hiking, fishing, & canoeing.
  • Daisetsuzan National Park is rich in a wide range of hot springs, gorges, and mountains.
  • Shikotsu-Toya National Park is located in the middle of Hokkaido. It takes its name from its two volcanic lakes, Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya. Visitors enjoy the epitome of hot spring resorts and spas of the Noboribetsu Onsen, Dai-ichi Takamoto-kan, Hakodate Yunokawa. Skiers and snowboarders enjoy Kogen Sanraiba.

    Hokkaido

  • Hokkaido is Japan’s most northern island. Its sub-artic mountains and lake are the home of the large city of Sapparo which is a great winter vacation destination. There are more than a dozen ski areas that are within a two hour public transportation distance. Great deep powdery snow is plentiful in Hokkaido. Some of the more popular places with skiers and snowboarders are as follows:

    ►Mt. Moiwa Skiing Grounds

    ► Sapporo International Ski area.

    ►The Japanese Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri) is held in Sapporo each year in February and large snow and ice statues are made in Odori Park in downtown Sapporo.

    ►Niseko Skiing Area is made up of three interconnected skiing areas: Niseko Annupure, Niseko Higashiyama, and Niseko Grand Hiratu.

    One ski lift ticket gives you access to all 60 runs.

    Honshu Region

  • The Japan Alps National Park is located in the middle of Japan in the Nagano Prefecture on the island of Honshu. The Japan Alps run north-south through central Honshu. This area is often referred to as “the Roof of Japan.” It has three mountain ranges: Northern Alps (Tateyama), Central Alps (Kamikochi), and Southern Alps, with elevations of 2,000 to 3,000 meters. With their great beauty they are an attractive destination for the avid skier or snowboarder which is why the 1998 World Winter Olympics was held here.

    Yasuari Kawabata, the Japanese Nobel Laureate, wrote a famous novel called “Snow Country” where the story takes place in Yazawa in the Nigata Prefecture on the western slopes of the Japan Alps. Skiers can use Yazawa as a home base while skiing at 20 nearby resorts like Naeba and Kagura. This area is now home to a variety of famous ski resorts that are easily as attractive, exciting, and inventive as ski resorts in America, Canada, and Europe.

    ►Shiga Heights Ski Resort in Nagano has 22 different ski grounds inter-connected by trails and lifts. One lift ticket gives you access to all their trails. Visitors can take the Nagano Dentetsu Railway limited to Yudanaka and then switch to bus or taxi to get to the Shiga ski resort. During the heaviest ski season, visitors can take buses from Tokyo to Shiga Resort.

    Northern Honshu (Tohoku) Region

  • Towada-Hachimantai National Park is made up of Lake Towada, the deepest lake in Japan at 1072 feet, plus scenic high mountains. Towada is in the Aomori Prefecture known for its hot springs and ski resorts. It attracts millions of visitors a year to its winter paradise for skiers and snowboarders.

    Attractions and Activities are:

    ►Towada has scenic alpine scenery, camping, skiing and snowboarding which attracts millions of visitors a year for vacations or getaways.

    ►Lake Towada Snow Festival

    ►Lake Towada Festival (Fireworks)

    ►Ski Resorts

    Lodging ►Appi Kogen All Season Ski Resort is in the Iwate Prefecture and features golfing, tennis, hot spring, skiing and snowboarding. It offers lodging in its Grand, Tower, and Grand Villa Annex. Visitors can take the bullet train to the Morioka station, then transfer to the JR Hanawa Train Line to the Kogen station in the town of Appi. Appi Kogen Resort is another 10 minutes by bus.

    ►The Kiroro Ski Resort which is a two hour bus ride from Sapporo/Chitose Airport.

    Kansai West Region

  • Ise-Shima National Park located in central Honshu which has two main cities, Ise and Hemiji. Ise is famous for its Ise Jingu Shrine which is the largest and most revered shrine in Japan. It is visited by millions of Japanese. The Shrine is really two shrines – Geku or Outer Shrine and Naiku or Inner Shrine. Geku is dedicated to the Shinto goddess of abundant food and housing. Naiku is dedicated to the sun goddess, the guardian of the nation, and protector of the Imperial family. The shrines are next to the Isuzo River and the foot of Mount Kamiji. The Geku Shrine is a brief walk from the Ise Rail Station. The Naiku Shrine is a half hour bus ride from Ise Station or Geku. Each Shrine is a World Heritage Site.

    Hemiji with a population of 50,000 is home to the most historic location in Japan, Hemiji Castle of the Shogun Period, and the most famous ocean park in Japan known for the Mikimoto cultured pearl industry. Hemiji Castle is about a mile walk to the bullet train. The Shima coast offers walking on the beach, swimming, and sailing.

    Kanto Region

  • Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is located on the main island of Honshu. It is made up of Mt. Fuji, the highest peak (3,776m) in Japan, the Fuji Five Lakes at its vast base, Hakone, the Izu Peninsula, and the Izu Islands. Activities include hot springs, historic attractions, visiting Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands, and sightseeing from a tram or cable car. Izu offers great views of the Amagi mountain and seacoast.

  • Nikko National Park is the second largest park in Japan. Its main attractions are:

    ►Toshogu Shrine and Rinnoji Temple World Cultural Heritage Sites. Five structures are appointed as National Treasures of Japan.

    ►Kegon Falls and Ryuzu Falls. Kegon Falls is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Japan and not very far from Tokyo.

    ►Lake Chuzenji at the base of sacred Mount Nantai, has several spas, and a hot spring resort called Chuzenji Onsen. Tobu operated buses carry visitors from central Nikko to Chuzenji Onsen. Autumn has heavy traffic and delays.

    ►Yumuto Onsen town ski resort.

    Nikko offers visitors outdoor pursuits such as boating, camping, fishing, hiking, skiing, and skating.

    Kyushu South Region

  • Unsen-Amakusa National Park is located on Kyushu Island in Kumamoto Prefecture and is made up of Mount Unzen and the Amakusa islands. The Kumamoto Prefecture is called “the true soul of Japan” and is full of the soul inspiring beauty of nature with untouched forests, grasslands, and snow-capped mountain.

    Kumamoto city is home to one of the three most important castles in Japan. Part of the Tom Cruise movie, "The Last Samurai" was filmed here. The samurai's last battle against the Meiji, lasting 55 days, took place here in 1877.

    There are several other attractions in the Kyushu South area such as:

    ►Mt. Aso and Aso National Park which offer hot springs, hiking, skiing and beautiful views of the Kumamoto Plain. Two area hot springs are Aso-Onsen (Uchinomaki) and Yunotani-Onsen.

    ►Beppo Hot Spring is Japan’s largest spa resort.

    ►Fukuoka City has its Seaside Momochi, one of Japan’s biggest man-made beaches and beach-side parks.

    ►Hakata Dontaku is a colorful festival with 12,000 musicians, 16,000 dancers, singers, performers and floats on May 3-4.

    ►Hakata Gion Yamakasa is a yearly handcrafted doll festival from July 1 to 15 by Kushida Shrine in Fukuoka City. See famous Hakata dolls.

    ►Imari-Ton-Ten-Ton is a festival held on October 22-24 by Imari Shrine at Imari City. It is a fighting festival of clashing shrines.

    Chugoku & Shikoku Southeast Region

  • Seto-Naikai (Inland Sea) National Park includes 6oo islands and coastal segments of which Miyajima, in the Hiroshima Bay, is the most famous and home of the Itsukushima Shrine. The Shrine is located in an inlet with the surrounding mountains as a backdrop and is renowned as one of the three-most scenic places in Japan. The other two are Matsashima in Miyagi Prefecture and Ama-no-hashidate in Kyoto Prefecture. Miyajima has been considered a sacred place since ancient times and no agriculture, accommodations, or burials have ever been allowed.

    The Shrine in the Hiroshima Prefecture is a World Cultural Heritage Site and is made up of several buildings with connecting roof corridors which are classified as National Treasures because of their architecture and cultural importance. The nearby area is important also as a main waterway and the home of Japan’s greatest port cities, Osaka, Kobe, and Hiroshima.

    Travel Tips: Travelers can cross the waters of the Seto Inland Sea by ferries, sailing between Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. For an adventure vacation, bicycle across the Seto Inland Sea via the Shimanami Kaido route which links Honshu with Shikoku.

  AUSTRALIA

  WESTERN AUSTRALIA, NORTHERN TERRITORY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, QUEENSLAND, NEW SOUTH WALES, VICTORIA

  
  Australia National Park – Accommodation, Auto Car Rental Agents, Tours, Travel Maps, Travel Insurance
  View Australian Tourism Net’s guide to Australian National Parks. They are very old and very grand. Having begun in a long lost time 2,000 million years ago, they were adopted as the world’s largest and greatest park system in the world, covering 24 million hectares, 500km escarpments, the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, the Australian Alps, the Outback, and Aboriginal rock sites. Many have been proclaimed as World Heritage Areas.

  Attractions: Australia'a great national park system is located at;

  • Queensland
  • New South Wales
  • Victoria
  • Tasmania
  • Western Australia
  • South Australia
  • Northern Territory

    It's World Heritage listed Parks are: Australian Fossil Mammal Sites, Blue Mountains, Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, Fraser Island, Great Barrier Reef,Heard and McDonald Islands, Kakadu, Macqaurie Island, Purnululu, Royal Exhibition and Carlton Gardens, Shark Bay, Tasmanian Wilderness, Uluru - Kata Tjuta, Wet Tropics, ans Willandra.

    When visiting these areas it is very important to check in initially with the park wardens for safety recommendations, maps and permit requirements, meal scheduling, comfort station locations, and intersection of hiking paths with animal paths. Australian Alps visitors should read John Sizeman’s books “Australian Alps Walking Track” and “Australian Walking Track Map Guide.”

    Tours For more details on tours departing the Auckland area go to Auckland and Ayer's Rock at Specialty Travel at http://www.retreatvacations.com/Specialty-Travel.html. Here you can find tours such as the following:

    • A snow weekend at Mount Ruapehv for skiing and snowboarding.
    • Ayers Rock Tour. Tour Uluru(Ayer's Rock) and see why the red monolith rising out of the desert rock is so sacred to the Australian Aboriginal people.
    • Milford Sound,the "Eight Wonder of the World" tour.
    • Swim with dolphins in the Bay of Islands tour.
    • The unique eco-tour showcasing Auckland's dramatic scenery, running daily to the lush rainforest in the Waitakere Ranges and onto the beaches.

      Accommodations: Find inside Australian Tourism Net travel accommodations in hotels, bed and breakfast, luxury apartments, resorts, budget backpacker travel, & camper and motorhome rentals.

    NEW ZEALAND

    
    New Zealand National Park Vacations.
    New Zealand contains 14 national parks which altogether cover in excess of nine million hectares. Collectively, these parks possess every type of landscape imaginable, and many are unique with unspoiled primeval landscapes. Opportunities abound for hiking, bicycling, ecotours, skiing vacations, romantic retreats, snowboarding, sports.

    Some tourist may want to combine different modes of transportation in order to satisfy their adventure vacation desires. Some may want to ride The TranzAlpine excursion, which is rated as one of the great train rides of the world. It takes you from Christchurch through the Canterbury Plains, the alpine foothills, the Waimakariri Gorge, Arthur’s Pass, pristine rainforest, and finishes at Greymouth on the Tasman Sea. Some may also want to take a bus to the Hollyford Track in the Fiordland National Park for hiking in the rainforest, a helicopter to see the glaciers, or drive up the West Coast through Hokitika and Abel Tasman National Park.

    For more details on the New Zealand TransAlpine ride, Gondola ride, or a full day tour of World Heritage Fjordland National Park, go to Christchurch and Queenstown at Specialty Travel at http://www.retreatvacations.com/Specialty-Travel.html.