Bucket List for Out West National Parks

Top 5? Don't think I can limit my list to that, but "must-sees" in my book are:

Yellowstone
Mt. Rushmore
Arches
Crater Lake
Sequoia/Kings Canyon
Theodore Roosevelt
Craters of the Moon
Devil's Tower
Grand Canyon
Pictured Rocks (OK, it's in the Midwest but could be on your way)
Death Valley
Sunset Crater/Wupatki
Painted Desert/Petrified Forest
Pipestone
Great Sand Dunes

The Junior Ranger programs at all the national parks are PERFECT for your 8-year-old. Don't overlook state parks or privately-held attractions like Meteor Crater, Durango & Silverton RR, etc. . Have fun planning!!

352 wrote:
I would love for someone to post a bucket list for the east coast.

1. Blue Ridge Parkway
2. Florida Keys
3. Great Smoky Mnts.
4. Kennedy Space Center (unsure if National Park...but close)
5. Edisto State Park
6. Natural Bridge State Park/KY

352 wrote:
I would love for someone to post a bucket list for the east coast.

Not as much in the way of spectacular landscapes but:

Everglades
Cape Kennedy Spaceport
Great Smokey Mountains
Blue Ridge Parkway
Natchez Trace
Shenandoah
Cape Hatteras
Mammoth Cave
Acadia
National Mall in DC
Voyagers

are the major parks. I'd add Niagara Falls to that.

There are many Military Parks, but for the most I find them uninspiring and I'm a student of Military History and have visited many of these parks. I haven't been to Gettysburg and people tell me that is different. In the west I surprisingly found Custer's to be interesting, we were passing and I pulled in on a whim.

352 wrote:
I would love for someone to post a bucket list for the east coast.

The East Coast is simple - (Top 5)

DC and all the Museums ans Monuments, have probably been a 100 times and am still it just takes my breath away (Everytime).

The Ocean/Beach anywhere/everywhere Top to Bottom - Maine to the Keys.

New York City - if you get out and walk/use the subway - it is as amazing as any National Park, but it will take longer than most Parks as there is just sooooo much to see and do.

The Mountains from Georgia to Canada two of my personal favorites are the Lakes and Falls around Lake Toxaway and Cashiers and the Adirondacks, in upstate NY.

Williamsburg, while extremely commercialized there is nothing else like it - and kids LOVE it.

If you really want a Bucket list of the East Coast then just start your post.

JMHO,

Colorado.

Rocky Mountain National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Colorado National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument

6 very diverse locales. And the drives to get to them are an adventure unto themselves, including the Peak-to-Peak Highway, the Upper Arkansas Valley, The Million Dollar Highway and multiple high passes that are to be experienced to be believed.

Take him to see some. Dinosaur fossils. There are some very good ones (close up and touch) at a small museum in Hill City near Rushmore., and also at the Black Hills institute same town.
When u go to Rushmore go early evening and stay for the fireworks.
When you go to Grand Tetons park, take him up the ski lift at the Village resort and maybe on a slow river ride good for spotting animals. Jackson has a nightly shootout show downtown and you can do a chuck wagon ride and dinner.
Old Faithful at Yellowstone is a must do. We like to go around mealtime and either eat and do the show or vice versa.
Don't expect him to enjoy scenery very much. Picnics are always good. Ranger talks are good.

sedwheathome wrote:
On a 15 inch snow days here in the KY (doesn't happen often), makes for perfect planning Out West Trips. Here's a question...TOP 5 "Must-SEE" or "Bucket List" Out West Destinations or National Parks to visit. We have an 8 year old boy, so this is the BESTEST time to start our Out-West travels. Can't hit them all in a few yrs, but would love those OMG can't miss National or State Parks. THANKS!!

Just got in from the 24+" snow here in Annapolis - three driveways will let you know how out of shape you've gotten - Need to get back to Colorado (foothills) where it melts in a Day or two (normally)

Top five for an 8 year old;

Dinasour National Monument - at 8 this is the best "numero uno" real bones - beautiful area and the Green River.

Number Two is Arches NP - Kids marvel at how Rocks can float in the Air.

Lake Powell and the Dam - Never seen a kid yet that doesn't LOVE the water, throw in the North side of the Grand Canyon and you have an awesome trip.

Mount Rushmore - and the Black Hills - was impressive when I was 8 and still is (be sure to go at night)

If you can go to Glacier and see some snow in the Summer he will never forget it.

Now those were the ones I remembered from when I was eight - 61 years ago - have been back to all but never enough - when he gets to be a teenager start the other Big National Parks - generally you need to be just a little older to appreciate them and understand them - but Yellowstone really has no date, it is just the best of everything, just they will appreciate it more as they get to be a little older.

There are no wrong choices other than not going,

JMHO,

Since you live in Kentucky perhaps you could take a trip north to Michigan and stay in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Your son would love climbing the dunes, taking a gentle canoe trip down the Platte River ending at a pristine Lake Michigan beach. There is so much to do in that whole area it's worth a week or two vacation!

I would love for someone to post a bucket list for the east coast.

X2 on Black Hills. In addition to Rushmore you can get to Crazy Horse monument. We got lucky several years ago and saw them blast part of the mountain since it was still under construction. Custer state park has a great wildlife driving loop. Wind Cave and Jewel Cave parks are also close. About an hour south is Hot Springs is Mammoth Hot Springs fossil site. About an hour east is the Badlands National park and famous Wall Drug in Wall SD.

I'm sure I forgot many other great things in the area, but it is a great region.

If you or any other members get out there soon check the little garden area beside the forest service office in downtown Custer to see if the plaque for Marge Parker is still there. She was a forest service volunteer, a wonderful character, and my grandmother.