Are we there, yet?
If I was the only one choosing, we'd so be going to Yellowstone, in a heartbeat. I've seen the beach enough times, and the only ocean front I would ever care to see are the ones with cliffs, anything with a beach and sand is just boring. I've always wanted to visit Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, The Tetons, hell all parts of the Rocky Mountains.
Be sure to include Glacier in that list. That's a hiker's paradise.
2024 Races:
03/09 - Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour, 22.88 miles
05/11 - D3 50K 05/25 - What the Duck 12-Hour
06/17 - 6 Days in the Dome 12-Hour.
Be sure to include Glacier Waterton Lakes in that list. That's a hiker's paradise.
fyp.
Waterton is the Canadian version of Glacier (the parks border each other). Easier to get in and out of and much, much less crowded.
We met a lot of people getting into the Glacier backcountry via Waterton and one of the ferries they operate.
Trail and Ultra Running User Group
I prefer Portland and Old Orchard Beach in Maine. I would choose people over seclusion any day.
Village people
I used to live in Cape Elizabeth. I never tired of visiting the local lighthouses. Fort Williams is the biggy with Portland Headlight but Two Lights State Park has a lovely view and the lobster rolls are supposed to be topnotch.
Beach to Beacon is a beautiful course with views of the Atlantic. It has some rolling hills but not bad. The weather can be hot and humid, though.
This is in Lubec. Close to the CDN border and it might not be packed. I love Maine and if the southern points weren't saturated with physicians, we would still be there. NH is a great place, too. Lots of mountains and lakes in the north. Very laid back.
Runs4Sanity
If we go west, I would like to stay somewhere in the middle of as many parks as possible.............. is that even possible?
*Do It For Yourself, Do It Because They Said It Was Impossible, Do It Because They Said You Were Incapable*
PRs
5k - 24:15 (7:49 min/mile pace)
10k - 51:47 (8:16 min/mile pace)
15k -1:18:09 (8:24 min/mile pace)
13.1 - 1:53:12 (8:39 min/mile pace)
26:2 - 4:14:55 (9:44 min/mile)
Southern Utah is probably best to hit the largest number of parks in one trip:
Arches
Bryce
Canyonlands
Capitol Reef
Monument Valley
Zion
Grand Canyon - North Rim
With the distances, they're still spread out.
Other combinations: Yosemite, Sequoia and King's Canyon
Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons
Glacier and Waterton in Canada
Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay in the Canadian Rockies
The Grand Circle
The largest concentration of parks (that I know of)
(also known as, My backyard
Are you taking one week, two weeks, or three weeks for this vacation? If you're only taking one week, it's going to be difficult to hit a lot of parks during that time period ... you'll be doing a lot of driving, that's for sure. And I'm not sure that you'd get much of a "park experience" with drive-byes of the parks. Don't you want to get out of the car & experience things? Since you like trail running, I'd think you'd enjoy some hiking in the parks, & there are certainly plenty of opportunities for that in most of the National Parks.
If you were to stay in Moab, Utah, you can easily visit Arches & both sections of Canyonlands ... some really nice hikes in both parks. We were there this past May ... temps in the low 70s, comfortable for hiking, beautiful scenery. I would avoid this area in the summer!!
Another poster suggested a Canadian Rockies adventure ... another great suggestion. Banff & Jasper are really awesome ... and again, lots of good hikes to choose from. Our favorite was Edith Cavell meadows in Jasper ... loaded with wildflowers, etc.
And if your husband keeps waffling ... just choose the dates, make the arrangements, and tell him when & where y'all are heading!!
Hmmm.... honestly I would like 2....3 weeks, it just depends on how busy our shop is.