·:[ National Park Reservations Blog ]:·
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by Astrid Sieger

In the South American country of Peru researchers encountered the rare long-whiskered owlet.  The tiny owl that is no bigger than the fist of an adult human inhabits the dense undergrowth of highland forests in a remote region of Peru. Currently it is threatened by the rapid destruction of its forest habitat and its small range. Its population is estimated to be less than 1,000 birds and possibly as few as 250. 

This rare sighting is a reminder of how special these creatures are and the importance of protecting all of life from the destructive forces perpetrated by civilizations.  I’m not a proponent of protecting the endangered species at the cost of humanities survival or progression however I believe that steps can be taken to limit the impact on nature.  

The next time you travel to a national park you may catch a glimpse of a grizzly bear; perhaps you’ll see a grizzly momma and her cub.  Keep in mind that not so long ago these bears were nearly extinct — never to be seen again.  Conservation efforts have changed the direction of destruction for these mighty animals.  The best way for individuals to make a difference is to follow park guidelines that are enacted to protect both the animals and humans.  Following these rules will help you have a great time this trip and many more to come. 

www.nationalparkreservations.com  

 

During this time of seasons transitioning from winter to spring things seem fairly quiet on the national park front.

At the office we’re also making some transitions.  We’re constantly working on ways to better our site and make it more accessible and easier for our visitors to use.  As part of our efforts we are switching pages over to a better format, updating lodging information and making it easier for online searchers to find us on the various search engines.

It is a fun if a bit daunting task and utilizes every member of our staff.  We look forward to a rewarding and fun tourist season in the coming months, and though there are sure to be changes in plans, dates and number of people as your vacation time draws closer we hope that the efforts we make here will pay off in a smoother vacation for you!

www.nationalparkreservations.com

 

Easter is the symbol of all things fresh and new! This is the time for weddings and turbo cleaning everything!  If you have ever lived on a farm you know spring brings memories of new grass and the first signs of sprouting plants and flowers and baby farm animals. 

Spring is also a time to put many of those New Year’s resolutions into action.  As the weather warms getting out to excerise is more enjoyable, so is traveling, and picking up a new hobby.  The cobwebs of winter disappear and make room for wonderful new memories. 

Our national parks re a wonderful example of the renewal that comes this time of year.  Melting ice and snow make road accessibly possible. The fresh, clean air provides a pristine atmosphre in these parks that strive to natural conservation.  Visitation in the spring is not as concentrated as the summer so it is a wonderful time to see sights that can be quite crowded and congested in the regular season.

Whatever your vacation plans are this year, take some time — a weekend or few days to visit a national park.  There are many national parks to choose from so there is bound to be at least one just a couple of hours drive from where you live.  A day at a national park can make a lifetime of memories!

www.nationalparkreservations.com

 

As promised I found out about road conditions at Glacier AND went the extra mile and found out about all road access in several national parks that might have special winter conditions. 

Glacier National Park
Glacier is open all year but roads are closed to motorized traffic during the winter.  Roads generally open up in late May and remain open until early September or as dictated by the weather.

Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is always open to motorized traffic all year, and you can enter or leave the park at any time.  In the winter chains and/or snow tired are advised or required.  Call ahead for information on this requirement.

Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton has all roads accessible starting in early to late May.

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is open all year.  This is one of the only parks that is snowmobile accessible.  Starting in mid-March snowmobile trails close and roads are cleared for all motorized vehicle travel. 

       April 20, 2007 West side roads open to motor vehicles. Mammoth to Norris Junction to Madison Junction to Old Faithful; Madison Junction to West Entrance; Norris Junction to Canyon
        May 4, 2007 Canyon to Lake; Lake to East Entrance
       May 11, 2007 Tower to Tower Fall; Lake to West Thumb; West Thumb to Old Faithful; South to Old Faithful.

Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, although some roads, campgrounds and other visitor facilities close in winter. Call for more information.

For more information on road conditions call National Park Reservations toll free at 1-866-875-8456. 

 

On the news last night there was a report of changes in Yellowstone National Park.  It was late and so I didn’t really pay much attention yet, my curiousity being peeked I decided to look up news for Yellowstone this morning. I found that indeed there are some tid bits of information that will be of value to the visitor of Yellowstone in the coming weeks and months. 

Yellowstone unlike many of the national parks is accessible in the winter snowmobile and snow sled.  Many of the roads that and sights that are closed to automobiles due to ice and snow are open to the public here and that means that accomodations and restaurants are open in the winter as well.

When the spring hits there is a short period of time when the roads are closed for plowing and over the snow vehicles are no longer permissible in the park. Lodging inside the park will close for a few month however other lodging around the entrances outside the park are open and available all year.

For your information the following facilities will close at on March 11:  warming huts at Madison, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Old Faithful and West Thumb; fuel stations at Old Faithful, Fishing Bridge and Canyon; and the Old Faithful Visitor Center.

If you have any questions about anything that may be open or closed simply call National Park Reservations at 1-866-875-8456.

http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/yellowstone.htm

 

Wrapping up the first week back from vacation. Whew!  What a week.  Happily I can report and have taken much comfort in the fact that Northwest Montana is experiencing unseasonably warm weather.  Indeed things have been quite spring-like this week which has it’s up’s and down’s.

Up’s include wintercoat-free hikes in Glacier National Park and turning the thermostat.  Down’s include slushy walkways and well, i can’t think of anything else that is negative about warming weather — especially since the snow on Big Mountain is still thriving while the valley floor is thawing!

This weekend I will venture out to evaluate the scene again at Glacier.  This morning I did notice ad’s in the paper for help at the Belton Chalet and other hotels that service Glacier.  The atmosphere is certainly ripe for “the season” and fun things are on the way!

http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/glacier.htm

 

 Spring is one of the best times to visit Yosemite National Park.  The cooler temperatures and fragrant foliage just waking up from a winter sleep make walking the trails of this magnificent park pure joy! 

Following is a brief rundown of events that can be enjoyed alone or with your family.  Keep in mind that Yosemite has the highest visitation of all national parks and that reservations are absolutely necessary and will give you the peace of mind to truly enjoy your time here. 

April

If you’ve ever wanted to do something extra special for Easter why not experience Easter day at Tenaya Lodge?  The Tenaya Lodge offers a festive champagne brunch buffet located at the Sierra restaurant.  The champagne brunch buffet is the perfect Easter morning celebration for the whole family.  Grandparents and Mom and Dad will enjoy the festive meal and this year the Tenaya has a live Petting Zoo and egg hunt lead by the Easter Bunny for the kids.  This is an event you don’t want to miss. 

Earth Day is on Sunday April 22, 2007.  Yosemite National Park honors this day with a special event held at the Sierra Restaurant where Organic Sustainable Dinner Specials include Pan Seared Scallops, Cilantro Pesto Rub, Whole Wheat & Vegetable Spaghetti, Red Curry Sauce. Citrus Grilled Halibut, Line Caught Halibut, Citrus Marinade, Basmati Rice, Mango Salsa Rooibos Tea Butter.  Dinners are reasonably priced and the atmosphere is just perfect to remind everyone that conservation and responsibility are the keys to keeping our earth healthy and providing for us and future generations.

May

A great way to show Mom how special she is you’ll all enjoy the Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch Buffet Sunday May 13, 2007 in the Tenaya Lodge Ballroom.  Festivities include live music and this is the perfect event for the whole family to get together and celebrate the most important person in your lives!

http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/yosemite_tenayalodge.htm

If you’re planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park in the month of March there are many events to take part in. (Caution: If you’re not planning a Yellowstone trip this March reading the following my change your whole years itinerary!!)

March 10-18 2007:
EXPANDED Word Snowmobile EXPO 2007:
Largest snowmobile event in the West. A terrific end and beginning for snowmobilers! Ten action-packed days! March 10 & 11, 2007 Mountain West Racing SnowCross Series Final. First time ever Specialty Classes for ATV & 4-Strokes.