by Lili DeBarbieri Home Grown Treasure While an exotic safari in Africa or a tour of European cathedrals may enjoy more glamorous reputations, North America's national parks system offers many excellent, breathtaking adventures. Here is a sample of great destinations throughout the Western US, for anyone who would like a vacation offering excitement, unique wildlife and spectacular scenery. Each of these parks offers a range of accommodation options to suit every budget and activities to suit a variety of tastes from the thrill seeker to the day hiker, from the independent traveler to family vacationers

Bryce Canyon National Park- Bryce, Utah Major Attractions: Hoodoos(spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of basins and badlands). , amazing desert color and unique wildlife make this small yet spectacular park a must-visit for anyone heading out west. The park offers hiking for all physical levels. We highly recommend the “night hike” offered by park officials. Wildlife: Utah Prairie Dogs are a must see; the park houses some of the last remaining populations of this federally threatened species. When to go/What to Bring: It is highly recommended that you visit in the spring/fall, as summers and winters in the park can be brutal. Always bring a hat, binoculars, camera and hiking boots. Resources/ links: http://www.nps.gov/braca http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/bryce.htm Yellowstone National Park- Wyoming and Montana Major Attractions: The first national park is America still draws thousands of tourists each year with its scenic beauty, unique geology and superb wildlife-viewing opportunities. Whether you are young or old, an experienced traveler or novice, this park truly has something for everyone. Wildlife: Bison, wolves, coyotes and ravens are some of the keys species keeping the greater Yellowstone ecosystem thriving. Bison in particular are quite common and tend to cause traffic jams. Elk are also numerous and are quite used to tourists. When to go/What to Bring: Yellowstone can be visited during all seasons, with summer (May-August) being the height of tourist season. All major attractions can be seen over the course of two days, as the park can be easily navigated by automobile. A wide variety of accommodation options exist in Gardiner,West Yellowstone, and Mammoth Springs (located inside the park) although it is highly recommended that reservations be made well in advance of the trip, as things tend to book up fast. A traveler should bring all wilderness basics such as hiking boots, sun block, binoculars etc. Resources: http://gorp.away.com Badlands National Park- South Dakota Major Attractions: Containing some of the world’s richest fossil beds, Badlands offers some of the most spectacular desert scenery found in North America. Many find it to be mostly a “drive thru” experience, with few hiking trails open to tourists, but what a spectacular drive it is! Towering rock formations, otherworldly colors and sweeping landscapes offer an unforgettable experience. Unique Wildlife: Bison, bighorn sheep, the endangered black-footed ferret, to name a few, are found throughout this park. Due to intense heat, a visitor would be most likely to see black-tailed prairie dogs active throughout the day. When to go/What to Bring: The park is open year-round. The heat can be intense and it is highly recommended that the traveler wears light clothing, bringing with them a hat, plenty of sunblock and ample amounts of water. Visitors can find a variety of accommodation options in nearby Wall, SD. Resources: http://travelsd.com Glacier National Park- Montana Major Attractions: This park is fairly off-the-beaten-path compared to other national parks, due to weather conditions and relative isolation. The winding country roads leading through the park offer sweeping views of glaciers, aquamarine lakes and forested mountains. Wildlife: Grizzly Bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolves and hoary marmots are some of the more well-known residents of this park. When to go/What to Bring: The park is open to visitors all year round, however spring, summer and fall are the best seasons to visit. The park offers a wide range of accommodation options, with everything from rustic campsites to historic grand hotels. A visitor should bring the basics for a road trip, park unless they plan on camping, in which case full gear is advisable. Resources: http://www.allglacier.com/ http://www.nps.gov.