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11 Tips for Visiting the US National Parks

Tips for visiting our national parks could make your vacation go smoothly and make it more enjoyable. Let’s face it most parks can get crowded especially the popular ones and the fact that most people visit when school is out making peak season at the parks crazy at times. The most popular months are from June to September with more than half of the visitors during this time. So here are some tips to make your national park vacation enjoyable and fun for the whole family.

Margaretville, NY aka Grandma’s Mountain

A vacation guide to Margaretville, NY in the Catskill Mountains

About Margaretville NY

Margaretville NY is a small town of about 600 year-round population in Delaware County on the west side of the Catskill Park area about 3 hours northwest of New York City. It’s one of the bigger towns in the area and has so much to offer to the surrounding communities with its small-town country feel.

View from Palmer Mountain overlooking Margaretville, NY

I was introduced to this quaint town some 37 years ago when I met my now-husband, Gerry. You see his parents, Herbert and Simone, decided to build a small cottage to enjoy their retirement and with the help of their 4 sons, their vision became a reality. Unfortunately, my father-in-law (whom I never knew) passed before his dream came true. Simone kept this cottage which her whole family has come to cherish.

25 Fall Bucket List Activities

As summer is coming to an end, it’s time to think about your fall bucket list activities. Fall is my favorite time of you with cooler days and crisp sweatshirt nights, the fall season offers something for everyone to enjoy before the long cold days of winter. So get outside and make the most of the beautiful colors that Mother Nature gives us this time of year.

1. Pumpkin Picking

I’ve been going pumpkin picking since I was little and have beautiful memories of going out east on Long Island with my cousins trying to find that perfect pumpkin. What are your memories of pumpkin picking?

Old Fall River Road

Old Fall River Road is a must-see when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. This one-way, 9-mile narrow dirt road begins outside the entrance to the park and runs parallel to the Fall River. There are no guide rails and is very steep at times. The road starts at 8,558’ above sea level and ends at the Alpine Visitors Center which is at 11,796’above sea level.

We allowed a full day for our trip on Old Fall River Road. We drive a 23’ long crew cab pickup truck and at times we were not able to make the turns without maneuvering our truck several times. It is recommended that no vehicles over 25’ be on this curvy road and absolutely no trailers.

20 Weekend Getaways from NYC

Sometimes you just need a break and let’s face it, we all could use a change of scenery which helps us relax and can do wonders for our attitudes. But with work and other responsibilities getting in the way, it’s just hard to get on that plane or take that long drive. We also love to camp but sometimes it’s just not worth taking the camper on a short trip (yes remember we live on Long Island and need to go over the New York City bridges to go just about anywhere). So this is when a weekend trip getaway from NYC comes to mind.

Over the years we have taken many of these trips, so check the following list to see where you want to take your next fast getaway to. I’ve also taken many of these trips with my friends (girl’s weekend) that we look forward to every year.

Pine Creek Gorge Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon Guide

The Pine Creek Gorge Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon is located in the Tioga National Forest is an area known as the “PA Wilds”. The gorge covers 165,000 acres of pristine mountains and beauty. It’s an outdoor adventurer’s dream.

There are many outdoor activities in the area from biking the Pine Creek Rail Trail to many miles of hiking trails and paddling Pine Creek. There are several state parks in the area that offer stunning views of the gorge and have their own programs for you to experience. I’ve put together a list of things to see and do so you can enjoy the Pine Creek Gorge Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon.

Campground Choices on Chincoteague Island

So you want to go to Chincoteague Island and you need a place to camp. Campground choices on Chincoteague Island are somewhat limited. If you’re like me, you research all your options to find the best fit for you. However, there is only one type of camping on the island no matter which one you chose.

The campgrounds here are all privately owned and offer resort type camping. Campsites are close together. I also found them to be on the expensive side of what I would usually spend for a campsite, which I wasn’t expecting from this small town beach community. The following are all your campground options.

Visit Assateague Island Virginia

Visit Assateague Island Virginia and experience the Assateague Island National Seashore and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Together there are over 14,000 acres on unspoiled beachfront, marsh, dunes and maritime forest. The island has over 300 species of birds depending on the time of year as well as Chincoteague Ponies.

This is an amazing place, the beach goes on forever and is clean and beautiful. If you love nature and quiet beauty this is a place for you to visit.

5 Catskill Park Fire Tower Hikes

Have you ever hiked to a fire tower? When in the area you should try one of the 5 Catskill Park Fire Tower hikes. Fire Towers have become one of our favorite hiking destinations. They are a big part of the fire service history of the United States. Being a part of the fire service family for over 30 years (my husband is a volunteer fireman) we appreciate early efforts of firefighting and how it changed over the years.

The Mount Washington COG RAILWAY

A must do experience when visiting the White Mountain region in New Hampshire is going to the summit of Mount Washington on the Cog Railway. The Mount Washington Cog Railway is the oldest in the world.