3 Iconic National Parks Without the Crowds
Chances are you’ve “seen” the Grand Canyon, either in photos or actually standing along the South Rim, peering down into the indescribable abyss. Perhaps you’ve even taken the scenic drive through the Island in the Sky District in Canyonlands or walked through the Carnegie Dinosaur Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument. There’s no arguing that seeing the iconic views and sights that attract millions of visitors annually is a must, but wouldn’t it be nice to go behind-the-scenes and away from the crowds to access remote hiking trails, hidden waterfalls, and off-the-beaten-path historic sites? That’s where a river trip comes in.
Grand Canyon, Canyonlands & Dinosaur National Monument by River
A full-length, non-motorized Grand Canyon rafting trip gives people time to stop, look, listen, and explore the treasures this dramatic geologic wonderland has to offer. In Canyonlands National Park, spend six days rafting the Colorado River through breathtaking Cataract Canyon and you’ll reach colorful canyons, cliffs, hoodoos, and mesas in the heart of the park, most of which are largely unreachable by visitors just passing through. And with two major rivers converging in Dinosaur National Monument—the Yampa and Green Rivers—rafting trips on both rivers are the ideal way to explore this unique geologic area.
You can read all about accessing the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands and Dinosaur National Monument by river over on the National Park Foundation’s Travel Ideas Blog where we give the full scoop, including how to plan your trip. But your national park rafting trip options don’t end there. From the Appalachians to the Rockies, and many places in-between, we’ve also rounded up a list of the 10 best national park rafting trips. Because trust us, there’s really no better way to experience the wonder of our national parks than from the river. Just watch…
