Do you have a favorite National or State Park?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (207027)
Walnut Creek, California
September 22, 2017 12:06pm CST
I do most of my hiking these days in the foothills of Mt. Diablo, in the Bay Area. The trail heads are near my house, and it's a great place to take "troubled" kids and teens. Nature reduces anxiety and gives kids a chance to do "cool" things (climb rock walls, see rattlesnakes in the wild, etc.) that aren't "naughty."
But my favorite park always has been, and probably always will be, Glacier National Park, up in Montana. My parents took us up there when I was a kid, I worked there as a teen, and I've been going back ever since. You can hike to glaciers, climb small non-technical mountains, and just marvel at the natural beauty.
I'll attach a picture that just appeared on my Facebook Glacier National Park Group feed. It's taken from near Many Glacier Hotel where I worked as a teen. The mountain in the foreground is called Grinnell Point. I've climbed it many times--its only about 2 1/2 hours up and 1 1/2 hours down. If you look closely, you can see Gem Glacier in the distance, just to the left of Grinnell Point.
Do you have a favorite National or State Park? Is family tradition involved?
16 people like this
17 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
22 Sep 17
I am sure I would have many if I could get to them..I only can get to the local ones..Sunset Park is nice.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (49183)
• United States
22 Sep 17
The Great Smokey Mountains 
I've been several times.
I've been several times.2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
22 Sep 17
Cheaha state park in Alabama, My whole life I have went swimming and fishing there and been on dates to the top, look out parking area, not really a make out spot since there are so many people coming and going. but yes this park has been a huge part of my life.
I am fond of the state park, one near Panama city beach Florida but I don`t recall the name, I have been to it several times when down there visiting.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (207027)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Sep 17
@andriaperry We have some ice cold water up in Glacier. I think my heart might attack me if I jumped into it now.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
23 Sep 17
@TheHorse I liked it best ti hike up to the water fall, jump off the rock into the ice cold water, fish in the lake.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
22 Sep 17
That's beautiful. I guess the state park I've been to the most is Sibley State Park here (has a great observation tower) and Carlos State park (trails, lake...) -- Of course I would love to see Yellowood. Did you take the photo?
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
25 Sep 17
@TheHorse Oh wow! Was that goat just running around wild. That's cool.
@Friendlypink (3805)
•
22 Sep 17
I live in Manila, Philippines.
I live in the city.
Most trecking parks that we have here are about 2 hrs drive from my place.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159710)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Sep 17
I don't have a favorite. Each is so lovely and has it's good points. I loved the redwoods when I went through them and Yellowstone had some interesting things to see and experience.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36545)
• Toccoa, Georgia
23 Sep 17
I like the Smoky Mountain National Park. We have had many vacations there in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and surrounding hiking trails. There is so much to do and see there.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (207027)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Sep 17
@LeaPea2417 That would make me happy.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (58211)
• Centralia, Washington
22 Sep 17
Lovely inspiring photo. I realized last year that the little hike that my family takes is in a state park. My Mom and I used to hike the little trail together. This last June my hubby and I and our little Sally went up it just to see if I still could. Its just about a mile but that mile is steep and works the heart. Sweet overlook on the San Juan Islands once you reach the end.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66918)
• United States
22 Sep 17
I've been to the national seashore on cape, but no national parks.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Sep 17
Cottonwood Canyon is a State Park outside of Castle Rock here in Colorado. It's fun to ride mountain bikes through.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74926)
• East Tawas, Michigan
22 Sep 17
In August of 1990, I was at a National Park in the Smokey Mountains, for one day. It is wonderful and really beautiful, but I'll have to look up its name. Sorry!:( Your photo is absolutely breath taking!
My nephew climbs mountains near Seattle, Jeff really enjoys this 'dangerous' sort of fun!
My nephew climbs mountains near Seattle, Jeff really enjoys this 'dangerous' sort of fun!1 person likes this
@TheHorse (207027)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Sep 17
@kobesbuddy I wonder if he knows any of the Simonsons. They've done some climbing teaching around Mt. Rainier.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74926)
• East Tawas, Michigan
22 Sep 17
@TheHorse Yes, there sure are! Jeff teaches students, the how tos of mountain climbing, which I'd be afraid to do, especially with inexperience climbers!
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
23 Sep 17
@TheHorse north east India, western Assam bordering Bhutan
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
23 Sep 17
@TheHorse mountain ranges, certainly they are the Himalayan foothills
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
23 Sep 17
I'm pretty fond of Yosemite, but I do hope to see Mt Rushmore and/or Yellowstone National Park again in my lifetime.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
23 Sep 17
@TheHorse I was a little kid when we went, so I think I mostly looked at it and bought a National Park themed coloring book in the gift shop. We watched a video about its construction in a visitors center too, I think.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
11 Jul 18
It's hard to pick a favorite. The one I've visited most frequently and hiked often with my family was within walking distance from our Newbury Park home -- Mugu State Park in Ventura County. We could see its most prominent feature -- Mt. Boney -- from our street. I'm attaching a photo.
@FourWalls (62552)
• United States
23 Sep 17
The Great Smoky Mountains is my favorite, and yes I guess because there are a lot of memories from vacations spent there. The only national park I’ve been to out west is Joshua Tree, and it wasn’t a “national park” officially when I was there (labeled a “national monument” at the time).
