Skip to main content

"Discover the Best National Parks for Senior Citizens in the USA".

     If you want to discover the best national parks for senior citizens in the USA you don't have to look very far.  There are over 400 national parks in the United States, many of which offer senior discounts on entry fees.  There is a wide range of national parks, each offering unique experiences such as hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and more.  Let's take a look at some of the most popular parks and see what they have to offer.

     Photo by James Lee

     One of the most notorious parks is none other than Yellowstone National Park.  Yellowstone is located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. With over 900 trails in the park, ranging from easy walking trails to strenuous backcountry treks there is a plethora of diverse wildlife to see.  Yellowstone is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, bears, wolves, and many species of birds and fish.  Visitors can fish in the parks many streams, rivers, and lakes for cutthroat, rainbow, and brook trout.  Yellowstone is known for their geysers and hot springs,  Matter of fact, it is home to the worlds largest concentration of geysers and hot springs, including Old Faithful, which erupts approximately every 91 minutes.  Speaking of Old Faithful, don't forget to visit the Inn, which was built in 1903.  There are other structures and building to visit in the Fort Yellowstone Historic District.  If camping is your ideal activity, there are 12 campground at Yellowstone, some require reservations and some are first come, first serve.  The park offer a variety of ranger led activities that include guided walks, talks, and tours.  Lastly, visitor can enjoy winter activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

    Photo by Mick Haupt

     Another great park to explore is Yosemite.  Yosemite National Park is a popular destination in California known for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.  Yosemite is known for its iconic granite cliffs, and the park offers some of the best rock climbing opportunities in the world.  Visitors can take guided rock climbing tours or test their skills on their own with the proper equipment and permit.  Waterfalls not a problem.  Yosemite is home to some of the most famous waterfalls around the globe.  These include Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Vernal Fall.  Bridalveil fall was closed for 2022 to complete construction, but should be open now.  Visitors can hike to the base or take a guided tour to see them up close.  This park also contains a diverse array of wildlife including black bears, mule deer, and mountain lions which can be viewed while hiking or on a guided tour.  There are 750 miles of hiking trails with something for every level of hiker.  Visitors can take a hike to Half Dome and enjoy the breathtaking landscape.  There is also the scenic drive on Tioga Road, which runs through the center of the park and offers spectacular views.  Yosemite also offer ranger-led activities such as guided tours and campfire talks.

    Photo by Martin Permantier

      Everyone has heard of the Grand Canyon National Park located in Arizona.  The Grand Canyon is known for its vast size and unique geological features.  The main attraction of the park is the Grand Canyon itself, which is a deep gorge carved by the Colorado River.  Visitors can take a scenic drive along the rim, hike down into the canyon, or take a helicopter or mule tour for a different perspective.  Other popular activities include visiting the historic village of Tusayan, taking a river rafting trip, and stargazing at the park's designated Dark Sky Park.  The park also has a number of visitor centers and museums that provide information about the natural and cultural history of the area.


     Another iconic park is the Rocky Mountain
National Park located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.  Rocky Mountain is known for its towering peaks, alpine lakes, and abundance of wildlife.  Trail Ridge is a roadway that takes visitors to the highest point in the park offering spectacular views of the mountains.  The park has over 300 miles of  hiking trails, including the popular ones like the Keyhole Route on Longs Peak.  Visitors can see a variety of wildlife, including elk, bighorn sheep, moose and mule deer,  The park has several lakes and streams that offer excellent fishing opportunities.  With five camp-grounds available camper have an opportunity to spend the night under the stars.  The park also provides ranger-led activities such as guided hike, campfire programs, and stargazing. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, and snowmobiling.                                                                                                                                                                                                Photo by Sheri Slaughter

     Other popular national parks for seniors include Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina, and Acadia National Park located in Maine

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Florida: Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver and Discount

                              Photo by Austin Guhl This is a comprehensive guide for all senior citizen tuition waivers, discounts, and auditable classes in the state of Florida.  I am working hard to get the information up-to-date covering all fifty states, which is quite a feat.  To stay informed on all free classes for seniors near me, check back often for the most recent updates. THE FIRST YEAR: MAKING THE MOST OF COLLEGE     2010 Florida State Statutes:      1009.26Fee waivers.  "A state university may waive any or all application, tuition, and related fees for persons 60 years of age or older who are residents of this state and who attend classes for credit. No academic credit shall be awarded for attendance in classes for which fees are waived under this subsection. This privilege may be granted only on a space-available basis if such classes are not filled as of the close of registration. A university may limit or deny the privilege for courses that are in programs for w

Massachusetts: Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver and Discount

               Photo by Carl Heyerdahl This is a comprehensive guide for all senior citizen tuition waivers, discounts, and auditable classes in the state of Massachusetts.  I am working hard to get the information up-to-date covering all fifty states, which is quite a feat.  To stay informed on all free classes for seniors near me, check back often for the most recent updates. "The Categorical Tuition Waivers are a component of the Single Tuition Waiver Program and have the same purpose of maintaining access to the Commonwealth's public colleges and universities. The Categorical Tuition Waivers are designed to provide financial support to individuals who might not have the opportunity to achieve higher education, without such assistance. Who is eligible? To be eligible for a Categorical Tuition Waiver, a student must: Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts for at least one year prior to the opening of the academic year. Be a United States citizen or eligible nonc

Connecticut: Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver and Discount

State flags on Amazon This is a comprehensive guide for all senior citizen tuition waivers, discounts, and auditable classes in the state of Connecticut.  I am working hard to get the information up-to-date covering all fifty states, which is quite a feat.  To stay informed on all free classes for seniors near me, check back often for the most recent updates. "WHEREAS, Certain tuition waivers are prescribed by statute, other tuition and fee waivers are authorized by the Board, and..." Senior Citizen (62 or older) - For any resident of Connecticut sixty-two years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to such institution, provided such person is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or, provided, at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those persons eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which such person intends to enroll and there is space av