Today kicks off National Park Week; time to lace up those boots, head outside, and reintroduce yourself to fresh air and sunshine.
Hiking is also a great way to work off some of those unwanted pounds you may have packed on during your winter hibernation. What’s more, you can do so without breaking the bank as National Park Week yields free admission to more than 100 parks which typically change a fee to get in.
If you are looking for the perfect spot to get your springtime hike on, consider the following:
The Appalachian Trail: Known as the granddaddy of all American hiking trails, the 2,181-mile behemoth spans 14 states and 8 national forests. You can access the National Park in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. While it would take the average person five to seven months to hike the entire trail, you can celebrate National Park Week by touring a fraction of the trail during a day trip or an afternoon outing with the kids.
Mount Rainier National Park: Established in 1899, Mount Rainier National Park is the United States’ fifth oldest National Park. Located in the state of Washington, this haven for hikers encompasses 368 square miles of pristine wilderness surrounding awe-inspiring Mount Rainier, a dormant volcano. In addition to the breathtaking mountain, you will be treated to majestic forests, lakes, waterfalls and meadows filled with colorful wildflowers. Popular hiking trails include the Wonderland Trail, which completely circles Mount Rainier, as well as Nisqually Vista Trail, the Naches Peak Loop Trail and the Sourdough Ridge Trail.
Haleakala National Park: Located in my home state of Hawaii, on the island of Maui, Haleakala was once occupied by the U.S. Army and closed to the public. Today, the dormant volcano is part of a thriving National Park with its neighbor Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. A haven for extreme hikers, Haleakala is home to 30 miles of high-altitude trails, which provide stunning bird’s-eye views of Maui and the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the park boasts 10 miles of trails below the summit that wind through lush rainforests dotted with waterfalls, freshwater pools and more endangered species of plants and animals than any other property in the National Park System.
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“Take A Hike”—On The Appalachian Trail