For a adventurous natural Alaska vacations consider the Anaktuvuk Pass in the Brooks Range.

If what you are seeking for is a genuine outdoors Alaska vacations you may need to think about traveling to Nunamiut Village right on the edge of the Gates of Arctic National Park and Preserve. Here you will discover people that are children of those that have coexisted in the habitat since before five-hundred BC. These People survived on caribou, which they still hunt, eat, and make clothing and more from, just like their ancestors.

The remote village is one that should be preserved for its way of life. When tourist come to the village and disturb the natural flow of the community it is both disrespectful and unappreciated. For this reason the village has provided a camping area that visitors must camp in. This campground is situated among the willows along the east side of the runway across the town. Be sure to register with the store, ranger station or community center for more details on the requirements for camping here. Do NOT camp within sight of the village, it is disrespectful toward the local people. Respect them, they have lived here a lot longer than you have been alive and have the right to be honored in their home.

The Anaktuvuk Pass consists of just two-hundred-fifty people. The village is described as a bush community so supplies are in short supply. The local residents still rely on caribou herds for alll of their meat, although they do hunt Dall sheep and harvest trout and grayling, ptarmigan, and waterfowl.

The temperatures in the area varies from the fifties during the summer time to an average of -14 degrees in January. Of course, since its Alaska, and the far north of Alaska, there are recorded cold spells of between -56 and -91 degrees. The area gets an average of 11 inches of rainfall with an average snowfall of 63 inches each year.

When touring the area be sure to carry along those things that you will need (and remember you will be packing the items so only pack the necessary items to avoid having to carry the extra weight). The village does not have the amenities that you may be used to in other sites so you will not be able to run to the store to pick the items up. Remember, it is a absolutely rugged Alaska vacation you are taking, one that will create a great memory for decades to come.

If you don’t need the comfort of traditional Alaska tours, and desire a true Far North Alaska vacation then this is an area that you absolutely will need to consider. Although you will not just spend your vacation in Nanamiut Village, but go on to Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, a visit and perhaps an overnight in the village will give you a experience of what it would be like to live this far from the rest of the state and in the lifestyle that their ancestors lived years ago. Come, enjoy and respect the area so others will have the opportunity to appreciate this wonderland of the north too.

While you are planning your Washington DC tourism schedule you may want to plan a visit to Rock Creek Park to get out of the schedule of museums and culture. You may want to take some time and visit the peaceful areas of Rock Creek Park. Here you can visit the nature center and the planetarium where you have a chance to step out of the noise and pressure and just enjoy a little while of nature.

Stroll through the park on the paths that will allow you to see nature and its animals. You may get to see a whitetail deer or a fox. Perhaps you will want to spend some time watching the beaver take down a tree or build a dam. Not that they are always there, but you can see where they have been busy and maybe, just maybe you will actually see them at work. Since the park has the largest density of raccoons in the US you may get to watch one washing its dinner in the creek. This is quite a sight to see.

There are tours given by the park rangers that you will be able to participate in if you are so inclined. You will be able to take a tour on foot, horseback or bike. If you choose to go on bike you will need to bring your own. What a great way to learn more about nature. A visit to the planetarium will also give you the chance to see beyond yourself. Just gaze at the wonders of the sky and what is beyond where you are. Dream the dreams of those that have traveled into the outer space, study the stars, take a break from pressures and enjoy all there is to see.

With so many National and State parks around the country, it is hard to find the perfect park in which to go camping. Traditional campgrounds, even when in park settings offering cabins, can be easily forgotten, and even the most beautiful parks may be wonderful to visit but not very great to camp in.

When you are planning on camping in a park setting and have most of your camping equipment ready to go, it is best to choose a park that is memorable and will offer you some of the best sceneries in the country.

If you do find one of these fabulous campsites then you should plan ahead to make sure that there is room for you to stay. Many of the most popular campsites get booked up to capacity well ahead of time, so be sure to make a reservation.

The best camping parks usually come equipped with a restroom, built-in grills or a fire pit, and beautiful views, so they are typically packed especially during the summer season.

Some of the best parks in the North America are as follows:

• Marble Canyon - Arizona
• Allagash Wilderness - Maine
• Flat Tops - Colorado
• High Point - New Jersey
• Wood-Tikchik - Alaska
• Apua Point - Hawaii

These are just a few of the many beautiful parks in North America. There are even more if you are willing to travel a little further into Europe. There are many campsites located throughout France and the English countryside.

They can be booked through camping packages, and some even offer a night of camping, along with a night at a world class Bed & Breakfast. Just as in North America, Europe offers your traditional budget-friendly parks, moderate or mid-priced camping parks, and luxury parks.

Whether you are planning to camp in North America, the world famous campsites of the French Riviera, the Swiss Alps, or Italy, along with so many others, you can enjoy yourself while enjoying some of the most eye-popping scenery in the world.

To find some of these amazing campsites you should check with a local travel agent or do some searching of your own throughout the Internet which can direct you to some beautiful park campsites.

When traveling long distances to go camping, you still need to be prepared with everything from a sturdy backpack to quality footwear.

This is especially important, even if you are camping in North America, because you just don’t know when you are going to be able to get to the nearest store. Be prepared for your camping trip and you will have a wonderful time.

Enjoying part of your North Carolina Attractions at Paramounts Carowinds Theme Park will not only have you relaxed you did but your children will know you are the best thing ever!

If you have children under five years of age don’t worry that there is little for them to enjoy, there is the Nickelodeon attraction where the kids can enjoy a train trip with Dora-the-Explorer’s Azul or soar, dip and swirl with Danny Phantom. Paws are the part of the game for the little ones with the life-size Nickelodeon stars throughout the park.

With kids from six - 12 everyone can keep them excited with either seeing some of the live events that go on throughout the theme park all day or visit Nickelodeon Central where there are more than twenty rides for their age group. They can even visit Scooby-Doo’s Haunted Mansion! They will enjoy the free fall into twenty acres of thrills in the water park. You will discover fun rides that they will love - including one that takes you three hundred and twenty feet above the park! There is the “wild-mouse” roller coaster that will give the kids a real thrill or the Scream Weaver - Gondolas which twirl in a horizontal position and shoots into the vertical position, skyrocketing riders into upside-down orbit. With all these and many more options for the kids they will be busy from the moment you walk in until you finally get them to depart at the close of the day!

For teens between 12 - eighteen the thrill never ends. They will experience the Nighthawk, the flying coaster and tallest one in the park or the Rip-Roaring-Rapids with the white-water raging rafting you can take in a six person craft (and get really, really soaked). Naturally there are the bumper-cars that are a favorite of many kids. Now imagine them on the Thunder-Road which is a forward and backward roller-coaster. You may need to plunge down a 45 foot waterfall to the tidal pool of water below (another great opportunity to cool off on a steamy day.) There are so many rides and attractions for everyone that they may want you to come back with them the next day!

As parents you may think that you need to sit back and watch the kids have fun…BZZZZZ! Get out there with them, convince them into going on the Xtreme SkyFlyer with you and experience the thrill of skydiving as everyone is lifted 153 feet in the sky and then pull the ripcord for a fifty foot free-fall at 60 mph. (you need to be extraordinarily brave for this one and it does require an additional cost.)

If that isn’t adequate for you then go to the Drop-Zone where you will find a 56 mph 100 ft. free-fall. Probably don’t want to eat just before you do this, could get messy!

The Hurler is the wooden coaster that reaches fifty mph with thrilling dips and turns.

This is just the beginning of the fun that waits for you and your family in Charlotte on your North Carolina vacations!

There is a twenty-five acre campground at Carowinds with almost 200 campsites, and fifeteen rental cabins for those that want to camp right there. For reservations call 704-587-9116 or 1-800-888-4386 ext. 2116

LOCAL DIRECTIONS

Take I-77 to SC exit #90 at the North Carolina/South Carolina border. The Carowinds Park is only fifeteen minutes south of Uptown Charlotte and fifeteen minutes north of Rock Hill, SC.

CALL AHEAD

Hours and operating days vary, so before planning a vacation, it’s a good idea to call Carowinds Information Center at: 704-588-2600 in North Carolina; 803-548-5300 in South Carolina; or toll-free 800-888-4386. The Information Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays and during park operating hours.

There are many ways to enjoy the Grand Canyon, but a hike into the depths of this natural wonder is far and away the most adventurous and most exciting way to get the most out of a visit. This is the case for several reasons.

grand canyon hiking tours

First is that the Canyon is more than 5000 feet deep in most places, and so the geologic time that is symbolized by the strata of rock you descend through is literally phenomenal. As you descend, you will think to yourself “a river cut this!!!” Sandstone, limestone, fossils, and native american artifacts create the geologic foundation of the Canyon.

Second is the fact that staying on the rim you get a bird’s eye view of everything but no real connection with the much of anything. Staying on the rim is only one step better than simply cruising over the Canyon in an airplane. On the contrary, when you’re hiking through it, you will have an intimate experience with the flora, fauna, the streams, the rivers, and the waterfalls of this truly phenomenal place. The best of the Canyon is beneath the rim: Phantom Ranch, Havasu Falls, Thunder Falls, Paradise Falls, Kaibab Creek, Horseshoe Mesa, Hermit Rapids…it goes on and on.

overnight hikes in the grand canyon

Third is that you will have solitude and peace and quiet in one of the most popular national parks in the United States. While millions of people visit the Grand Canyon every summer, only a couple thousand visitors hike to the bottom over an entire year. The Canyon is a place of immense scale and profound natural beauty, and so being down in the Canyon is in many ways the only activity to truly enjoy the true nature of it.

Fourth is that it involves some authentic adventure. Many people also love rafting, which is a great way to experience the Canyon. What hiking offers that rafting doesn’t is an adventure that involves the full spectrum of the experience - the amazing feeling of winding one’s way down, down, down through layers of rock and into the depths of the Canyon. Then the enjoyment of the Colorado River, and of course finally the hike back out. It’s extremely rewarding to complete a hike in and out of the Grand Canyon - and when you top out and treat yourself to a very nice dinner, massage, and a night of sleep, there’s no doubt you’ve worked for it. You can relax in style, knowing you’ve done what very few people ever do.

overnight hikes in the grand canyon

If you’re inexperienced, it’s best to hire a guide service for an adventure like this. Don’t attempt it on your own if you don’t know what you’re doing - Grand Canyon National Park performs over 400 rescues per year, and the vast majority of those are overly ambitious hikers who try to do it on their own. There are several fantastic guide companies that will treat you like a king or queen on a trip like this, whether it’s a rim-to-rim or a down-and-back trip. Don’t wait to experience the depths of the Grand Canyon!

Whether you live in Wilmington, DE or you are just passing through, a trip to Bellevue State Park will provide a number of different activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy. During any time of the year, guests of the Bellevue State Park can enjoy the equestrian stables, tennis courts, hiking trails, or fitness track. Visitors can also take in the beauty of Bellevue Hall, the gardens, the fields, and the fishing pond, which is stocked with catch-and-release bass, catfish, and sunfish. Picnics are also welcome around the park and pond.

For a preplanned activity at the Bellevue State Park, you can search through their many recreational activities, which include programs, concerts, and camps. Each month you will find a new schedule full of events. Children from all over the area enjoy the summer theme camps that not only amuse the kids, but teach them about a number of different things as well. Another part of the arts available at Bellevue State Park includes the various musical performances that are given throughout the year. From summer concerts at the Bandshell to winter dances in Bellevue Hall, the music often leads the way to a night of fun.

It is getting difficult to decide on the perfect parks to go camping.  Numerous National Forest Service campgrounds are in good locations but are not really attractive.  Most standard campsites or caravan parks are not memorable.  Whether free or not, it is best to pick a real special camping park.

A lot of good camping parks require early reservations.  You may need a short hike to the campsite.  Good camping parks have beautiful all around views, a fire ring instead of small pit, and a pit toilet or even a restroom.

The following are very good camping parks in North America:

1.    Philip Edward Isl. in Ontario across the border in Canada

2.    Marble Canyon in Arizona

3.    Cumberland Island in Georgia

4.    Allagash Wilderness in Maine

5.    Wood-Tikchik in Alaska

6.    Squaw Flat camping park, Canyonlands National Park in Utah

7.    Flat Tops in Colorado

8.    Strawberry Crater Wilderness, near the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

9.    Bachelor Cove, Lake Roosevelt near The Apache Trail in Arizona

10.    High Point in New Jersey

11.    White Tank camping park, Joshua Tree National Park in California

12.    Channel Islands in California

13.    Goosenecks camping park of the San Juan river, Mexican Hat

14.    Gooseberry Falls in Minnesota

15.    Apua Point in the Hawaiian islands

16.    Pipe Springs camping park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas

17.    On the lakeside of Lake Mead at Pearce Ferry in Arizona

18.    Rock Hound State Park in New Mexico

19.    Cottonwood Campground at Chinle

20.    Circus Circus RV and Caravan CampSite, Las Vegas, Nevada.

For a greater adventure on some of the most beautiful countrysides, why not also consider camping in Europe?

Remember, the old world enjoyed camping long before Americans did.  France and other countries offer camping holidays.  Some even offer bed and breakfast options.

Overall, European officially listed camping parks are broken down in three categories that will fit your wallet and taste.  There are luxury parks, moderate camping parks and lastly, basic parks where guests have to bring their own tents.

For luxury, there are companies that maintain camping parks all over Europe.  Some have good camping parks all over Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.  You can pick those that are off the beaten track in the French Riviera, the Swiss Alps, Tuscany, the Black Forest and Innsbruck.

The leading company is Eurocamp.  Many of its sites offer well-appointed accommodations, single- to six-sleeper tents called “caravillas”.

For moderately appointed camping sites and basic bare campgrounds, the abovementioned locations have numerous good camping parks.  Check the internet for self-drive camping parks in Europe.

So, hike the comfort and enjoyment level of your outdoor vacation by picking the best camping parks.