Grand Canyon National Park. Not recommended.

[SarahD]

Unbelievable crowds. Our parks are overwhelmed. I have yet to visit Yosemite and I'm dreading it.

[marybourg]

1. What a shame. But there are many lesser known but wonderful

places to see in our country. Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona, Chaco Canyon in NM, Dead Horse State Park in Utah, and Anza-Borrego State Park in CA are just a few.

[SarahD]

2. Yes. In fact I visited Walnut Canyon earlier in the day.

Excellent! Popular but not overwhelmed. Very cool cliff dwellings. Excellent trails. Did Anza Borrego last year and enjoyed the metal sculptures.

[Mark.b2]

3. I visited Yosemite in 2019 March....miserably packed.

From what I've seen, it's much worse now.

We really ought to look into charging more to control crowds. I'd gladly pay more for smaller crowds.

[usonian]

5. There's a reservation system for what NPS designates as really busy times.

See post#4.

It's $2. Sign up at nps.gov

[Mark.b2]

6. We used it there...

and most recently at Glacier. We foolishly went there during June. The time of year to visit any park is key.

My problem with the reservation systems we've used is they are OK getting in, but then people can linger as long as they want. The parks then get full.

Our most recent national park was Death Valley in October. It's a site to behold! And there were few people. Of course, it's location and its lack of appeal to many people helps.

Most overated national park...Mount Rushmore. But, the Badlands and Devil's Tower nearby (relatively) make up for it.

[usonian]

7. Was Death Valley flooded at the time?

There has been some crazy weather, but the worst for me was last years winter storms in the Sierra Foothills.

The wind tore down and tore apart countless trees.

Since then, weather has been manageable and no wildfires in recent times. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[Mark.b2]

8. No. We were there after the flood...

We heard plenty about it, and you could see the effects in a few places

I want to go back someday and explore even more. It is totally unlike any other place. If a place can be ugly yet beautiful at the same it, Death Valley is it!

[usonian]

4. Yosemite is most occupied between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Right now, you're restricted to the valley, because Glacier Point road is closed on account of:



snow

seen from Sentinel Dome, near Glacier Point.

webcam pic courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy https://yosemite.org

During busy times, you'll need a reservation. Dates given at the link below:
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm

"Worst" case, you can make day trips via the YARTS bus from Mariposa (There's free parking available.)
(your bus fare covers the higher entrance fee) and valley shuttle busses are always free.
The bus route on Highway 140 starts in Merced, but costs more from there and I can't vouch for parking.
https://yarts.com

Entrance is free for seniors who bought a senior pass, and for veterans. (Show your pass or Veteran ID)
Senior passes used to cost $10 (I got one) but they went up to $80/lifetime, or $20/year.


https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/11-8-2022-lifetime-pass.htm

Veterans can present one of the four forms of acceptable ID (Department of Defense ID Card, Veteran Health ID (VHIC), Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on a state-issued US driver’s license or ID card) at participating federal recreation areas that normally charge an entrance fee. Gold Star Families obtain information, self-certify they qualify and download a voucher on NPS.gov.

See also: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Free days! Expect lots of visitors except Jan 15 (check ahead and bring tire chains)
Monday, January 15 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Saturday, April 20 — First Day of National Park Week. TOMORROW
Wednesday, June 19 — Juneteenth
Sunday, August 4 — The Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 28 — National Public Lands Day
Monday, November 11 — Veterans Day

Road conditions ( tire chains or not? )
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm#roads
Call 209/372-0200 (press 1 then 1) for the most up-to-date conditions.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

9. When did you go? Was it a holiday?

I went to Yellowstone a few years ago, during May, before the kids are out of school. No traffic, not too many crowds, just a few tour buses. I'd hate to see the place in June.

Grand Canyon? Did you go to the South Rim or North? The North Rim is usually way less crowded.

[SarahD]

10. South rim. The most popular.

North rim is closed for road repair.