Nevada National Park Named One of the Best in the USA
When you think of the biggest and best national parks in America, names such as Yellowstone and the Great Smoky Mountains probably come to mind. But, they aren’t as popular as one Nevada national park, which has been crowned one of the best in America by travel experts. It’s so cool to know that this gem is right here in our state. What’s more, this study favored national parks that are less busy and hectic than most.
Nevada National Park Named One of the Best
Even though it seems like summer is winding down the second July 4th is over, there’s still plenty of summer left. In that spirit, the experts at the the Wall Street Journal have put together a tally of the best national parks in America. As for methodology, they used crowd size as 50% of its criteria for the listing, as well as hiking, camping and outdoor recreation spots. By the way, if you’re curious, there are 63 national parks in the United States.
Before we get to the Nevada national park that’s been crowned one of the best in the country, let’s look at No. 1 on the tally. It’s Isle Royale national park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. If you’re surprised, you’re not the only one. The experts at the Wall Street Journal call Isle Royale an unexpected winner. “Most people tend to associate national parks with a few predictable places—Yellowstone, Zion, Yosemite—but when we crunched the numbers, an unexpected winner emerged: Isle Royale, a wooded archipelago near the northwestern edge of Lake Superior, is, according to our metrics, the best,” they write. They also say of the national park, “This is true wilderness: A land of moose and wolves and the drama forever playing out between them.” Isle Royale national park has one large island and more than 200 smaller islands, offering more than 166 miles of hiking trails, according to Pure Michigan. Also, leave your cars, trucks, SUvs and motorcycles at home, because wheeled vehicles are prohibited at the park. Pets aren’t allowed, either.
Now, onto that special Nevada national park that’s been named inside the top 10 in America. The publication names Great Basin National Park in Nevada the No. 7 best national park in America. “From the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak to the sagebrush-covered foothills, Great Basin National Park hosts a sample of the incredible diversity of the larger Great Basin region,” the park’s official website states. “Come and partake of the solitude of the wilderness, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, bask in the darkest of night skies, and explore mysterious subterranean passages.” Also, the Wall Street Journal puts Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada at No. 8 on the tally. By the way, find some tips to save money on vacation below.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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