·:[ National Park Reservations Blog ]:·
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In December 1935, Virginia gave the deeds to the federal government and Shenandoah National Park was established.  What better time to visit this colorful and gently magnificent national park than in December, the month of its establishment?

 

Winter, with its many clear days and lack of leaves, offers the best opportunities for distance views and finding evidence of the people who once lived here. Skyline Drive is closed during and after periods of bad weather because of the buildup of ice and snow on the road. But is accessible at all other times.

 

National Park Reservations books lodging for 11 Shenandoah hotels.  Here you’ll find everything from a Best Western at Luray (the town just outside of Shenandoah) to country-luxurious Boar’s Head Inn.  Log on today to make your winter reservations to Shenandoah National Park

If you’re in the Glacier National Park area this week and looking for something tasty check out the Showcase of Chefs at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish on Thursday November 27, 2007.  This event brings together the areas finest chefs for an evening of delicious food, fine wine, great company and an auction.  All this to benefit the Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to making Big Mountain winter youth sports accessible to as many local athletes as possible.

 

Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased at The Grill at Grouse Mountain,
Hidden Moose Lodge, MSI Cycle & Ski and Sportsman Ski Haus in Whitefish.

Grand Canyon National Park is a great place to visit anytime of year, for some December is the perfect month to enjoy the amazing views of infamous canyon and surrounding areas. Many events take place in or near Grand Canyon National Park, or nearby cities like Williams, Flagstaff or Tusayan. 

 

This year consider a Grand Canyon holiday vacation; the weather is fine and events many.

 

1- Polar Express on the Grand Canyon Railway
Selected Run Dates from November 8, 2007 through January 12, 2008

Experience the magic of the Polar Express, the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. Enjoy the trip to the North Pole and then home with Santa. Make this a family holiday tradition. For specific dates and Grand Canyon Railway reservations call 1-800–THE-TRAIN.

 

Mountain Village Holiday
Annually, Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day

Celebrate the Holidays in our historic setting in the mountains. Enjoy our APS Parade of Lights, Mountain Village Holiday Carolers, Ice Skating Rink, Fine Art Shows, lighting contests, live entertainment, luminaries, hot chocolate, downtown shopping opportunities and other holiday activities November through January.

 

APS Parade of Lights
First week of December 2007

Celebrate the Holidays in a historic setting in the mountains. Enjoy the APS Parade of Lights, Mountain Village Holiday Carolers, Ice Skating Rink, Fine Art Shows, lighting contests, live entertainment, luminaries, hot chocolate, downtown shopping opportunities and other holiday activities November through January.

Health-conscious visitors from around the world have been “taking the waters” in Banff National Park since explorers first discovered the natural hot springs bubbling out of the ground more than 100 years ago. Somehow it’s just easier to relax here, while contemplating the impressive mountain scenery and inhaling fresh alpine air.

 
Banff and Lake Louise boast a large variety of serene spaces to relax, rejuvenate and re-charge your personal batteries, from full-service luxury spas that offer pampering beyond belief, to simple, elegant day spas with therapeutic massage. Slip on a swimsuit and slide into the steamy outdoor Banff Upper Hot Springs, stop by for advice at the local health food store, shop for yoga clothes, or grab a nutritious snack at the artisan bakery.
 

Willow Stream Spa - The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

World class 38,000 sq. ft. facility featuring a therapeutic general pool, three cascading waterfall plunge pools, mens & ladies private spa area with steam room, jacuzzi, inhalation room, sauna & private lounge. Services include massage, body treatments, facials, nail & hair services.
 

Fitness Centre, fitness program, 32 meter indoor pool & 20 meter outdoor pool are also available for our guests enjoyment.

 

Banff Upper Hot Springs
Banff Upper Hot Springs lets you experience the relaxation of a naturally heated mineral spring pool in a spectacular mountain setting.

Bordering Arizona and Utah, the canyons and waterways of Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas are fun for the whole family. Vacations feature houseboating, water sports and lots of hiking. Great year round weather is a perk of Lake Powell. 

December events include the Toys For Tots Christmas Parade hosted by the Page MMA Chapter to highlight the toys collected for the Toys for Tots program and dispense Christmas Cheer along the Parade Route [December 8], the Festival Of Lights Parade which features decorated floats that take to the streets full of Christmas spirit and lights [December 15],  great when viewed from the deck of your house boat.

For Lake Powell lodging and houseboat reservations log onto http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/lakepowell.htm.

Each year, the Ahwahnee Hotel holds 8 3-day sessions, each of which welcome 4 wineries and up to 200 guests.  Each participating winery participates in a “meet the winemakers” reception, presents a seminar one afternoon, and provides wine to pour with one course of the culminating gala dinner.  The festivities start in November and continue into December.

 

You may choose to attend a full session, or just reserve room at the Gala Dinner.  To check availability and make lodging reservations log on at www.nationalparkreservtions.com or call toll free 1-866-875-8456 today!

At National Park Reservations we are committed to keeping national park visitors informed of the best national park lodging options, including specials, breaks and locations.  We are able to do this by visiting the parks and being in constant contact with the properties we book rooms for.

Part of our system of keeping you updated is by letting you know through aritcles, press releases and this blog. You can easily find out all the news and information you want to know to make your next vacation a truly relaxing one.

We wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday! Happy travels!

Some people just like to take their pets on trips that last more than a few days.  You should seriously consider not bringing pets on your national park vacation but if you must there are some basic things to keep in mind. 

 

While pet regulations may vary somewhat from park to park, the standard policy in most national parks is that pets must be leashed or physically restrained at all times and pet leashes may be no longer than six feet in length. In addition, pets may not be left unattended, tied or physically confined.

 

The NPS offers several explanations as to why the presence of pets is regulated in the parks. Dogs, the most common traveling companion, are natural predators that may harass or even kill native wildlife which is protected within a park’s boundaries. Domestic dogs and cats also pose several threats to natural resources. They retain a primitive instinct to mark their territories with scent and can spread diseases to other wildlife. Many national parks include narrow trails, and since pets are sometimes hard to control, even on a leash, they may trample or dig up fragile vegetation.

 

If you do choose to bring you pet make sure that you have a kennel to keep you pet secured in, a leash and harness to control pets and that your pets have all their shots updated and you have a record from their vet.

 

To make reservations at pet friendly lodging in any national park log on to www.nationalparkresvations.com.  Here you will find pages in each national park that contain hotels that allow pets!

 

Happy Travels!

The national park are so full of things to do including perservation, exploration, experimentation, and more!

Sometimes we forget the pure pleasure that can be found in national parks.  Just going to hike out to a stream and sit next to it and listen to the water running over the rocks, breathing in the fresh air and seeing, perhaps for the first time a butterflies delicate wings, the sweet smell of grasses, and the curves of the banks. 

There is a national park in nearly every state in the west and within driving distance of most cities in the U.S. Get out a map and find the way to a national park near you this weekend, and just soak up the pristine air to be had in these protected areas.

Glacier National Park is the gem of the American Northwest.  With its stunning scenery, pristine air, and mirror clear lakes Glacier offers much for the nature lover or those just wanting to get away for a weekend. 

 

Glacier National Park can be accessed throughout the year.  Some lodging options are also available year round.  Historic hotels like the Belton Chalet offer winter specials to sweeten the deal for the adventurous. 

 

Winter operation at the Belton Chalet begins December 1, 2007 thru March 31, 2008.
The restaurant opens Friday and Saturday 3-8 pm and Sunday Brunch 11-3.
 

The Belton is available for any Christmas parties or special events that you may have.
 

To find out more about the Belton Chalet and other Glacier lodging options log onto http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/glacier.htm.