It’s Never Too Late to Plan a National Park Vacation

National Park vacations continue to be popular with travelers from the United States, and many people plan their park vacations well in advance. That does not mean that a National Park vacation is out of the question for those who have not yet made plans.

By following a few suggestions, any traveler can have a fine vacation in one of the country’s most spectacular places with as little as 24 hours notice:

• Be a bargain hunter. National Park vacations are a great value. Prices at lodges, restaurants and gift shops inside the parks often are lower than prices at facilities outside the parks.

• Be as flexible as possible with travel dates and choice of lodging, and you’ll stand a better chance of getting a room on short notice. You can check frequently to see when rooms become available.

• Book activities and make dinner reservations by calling the reservations office. Since reservations are available six months in advance, plan ahead when possible. Dining rooms do fill up, so if you want a meal at one of the lodges, plan ahead. Popular activities, such as the Old West Cookout at Yellowstone’s Roosevelt Lodge, fill up fast.
The National Park Service expects visitation to National Parks to drop this year, so there should be plenty of room available at the parks this summer.

For a wide range of information on the many parks, check the Web site www.nps.gov.

ERUPTION RECORD: On Jan. 3, the ongoing volcanic eruption of the Kilauea on Hawaii’s Big Island will turn 20 years old, becoming Earth’s longest recorded eruption in history.

Since 1983, Kilauea has produced a lava show filled with fiery scenes, fast-flowing underground movements and the slow tempo of surface flows that descend into the sea. Each act and scene causes onlookers to inhale with anticipation and exhale with exultation as Pele, Hawaii’s fire goddess, demonstrates her power.

Kilauea’s eruption has added more than 570 acres of new land to Hawaii’s youngest but largest island.

More than 2.5 million visitors a year flock to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to witness the major fireworks display, as well as to witness the diverse landscape that surrounds Hawaii’s most active volcano.

One enters the park among the lush greenery of rainforests at a cool and misty 4,000-foot elevation. Drive to the lava viewing area at sea level and witness the dramatic change of scenery as sharp edges of lava and smooth sinewy pahoehoe lava begin to dominate the landscape.

Once at the lava viewing station, the hike over crisp layers and hardened pools of lava brings eager visitors to stand within a few yards of the fiery glow of Pele’s land-making power.

The trip is not without risk, however. Signs throughout the viewing area warn visitors that because lava and steam vents are unpredictable, there is a small degree of danger involved in up-close viewing.

In addition to the volcanic activity, the park offers miles of fantastic hiking trails and a variety of museums. A $10 entrance fee provides access to seven consecutive days of volcano adventure, should you decide to stay in the area.

The park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

YELLOWSTONE: The Yellowstone Association is offering guided excursions to help visitors view and learn about the wildlife of Yellowstone National Park. Vans take groups no larger than 10 people to view bison, elk, bighorn sheep, wolves and bears. Expert wildlife biologists show visitors where, when and how to look, and provide guests with a deeper understanding of wildlife behavior, ecology and conservation.

The programs are offered Wednesdays to Sundays through Sept. 1. Instruction includes the use of high-powered spotting scopes and in-park transportation. For information, call the toll-free number 1-877-967-0090.