Sequoia National Park: northern side

We visited Sequoia National Park in California, including the Lodgepole Visitor Center and Grill, and the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world by volume. And saw a couple of bears in a tree.

An interactive map of our route:

Relief map in the visitor center:

Relief map

Visitor center

General Sherman Tree trail, a half mile (each way) path from the parking lot to the tree, through the Giant Forest sequoia grove:

Sherman Tree trail

Footprint of Sherman Tree:

Footprint of Sherman Tree

Path and steps:

Path and steps

General Sherman tree, the largest tree in the world by volume:

General Sherman tree

Other big trees:

Another tree

Tree cross section:

Tree cross section

On the way back up the path, we saw a couple of black bears in a tree (not very close, fortunately):

Bears in tree

Kings Canyon National Park

We visited Kings Canyon National Park in California, including the Kings Canyon Visitor Center, General Grant Tree, and a scenic drive through the canyon.

An interactive map of our route:

Relief map of the canyon:

Relief map of canyon

Visitor center:

Visitor center

Gift store:

Gift store

Sequoias:

Sequoias

The General Grant tree, the third largest tree in the world by volume:

General Grant tree

Gamlin Cabin:

Gamlin Cabin

Kings Canyon National Park is split in two parts, separated by Sequoia National Forest, which has some rather nice scenery:

Sequoia National Forest

Back into Kings Canyon National Park:

Kings Canyon National Park

And on the return trip, back into Sequoia National Forest:

Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia National Forest

A small waterfall (at this time of year):

Sequoia National Forest

New River Gorge National Park: Thurmond and waterfalls

We visited the Thurmond area of New River Gorge National Park, plus a scenic drive to a couple more waterfalls.

The NPS map of the whole park; click or tap to interact on their site:

An interactive map of our route for visiting Thurmond and the waterfalls:

Waterfall on the way to Thurmond:

Waterfall

One-way car and rail bridge to Thurmond:

One-way road and rail bridge to Thurmond

Bridge

Thurmond:

Thurmond

Train engine:

Train engine

Passport stamps:

Passport stamps

Visitor center:

Visitor center

Train engine:

Train engine

Train

Historic Thurmond:

Thurmond

Back over the one-way bridge:

Back over the one-way bridge

Glen Ferris falls:

Glen Ferris falls

New River Gorge National Park: Canyon Rim and Bridge

We visited the Canyon Rim area of New River Gorge National Park, the newest full National Park in the US. The Canyon Rim section has a visitor center that overlooks the iconic New River Gorge bridge, plus has a winding scenic drive down into the canyon, that passes under the bridge three times.

The NPS map of the whole park; click or tap to interact on their site:

An interactive map of our route for visiting Canyon Rim etc:

Going over the New River Gorge Bridge:

New River Gorge Bridge

Visitor center:

Visitor center

Gorge viewpoint:

Gorge viewpoint

Bridge viewpoint:

Bridge viewpoint

We did the scenic Fayette Station Road driving tour, that goes down into the gorge:

Fayette Station Road driving tour

Narrow road

Bridge virw from road

One way bridge:

One way bridge

A view of the New River Gorge Bridge from the one-way bridge:

New River Gorge Bridge

Bridge view

New River Gorge Bridge

New River Gorge National Park: Sandstone Falls

We visited the Sandstone Falls area of New River Gorge National Park, the newest full National Park in the US. The Sandstone Falls section features a 1500 feet wide waterfall on the New River.

The NPS map of the whole park; click or tap to interact on their site:

An interactive map of our route for visiting Sandstone Falls:

Sign

Boat

Path

“Masks are optional”; haven’t seen any mention of COVID-19 for a while:

Masks are optional

Visitor center exhibits:

Visitor center

Viewpoint overlooking Sandstone Falls:

Viewpoint

Sandstone Falls boardwalk:

Sandstone Falls

New River Gorge National Park: Grandview

We visited the Grandview area of New River Gorge National Park, the newest full National Park in the US. The Grandview section overlooks a bend in the New River.

The NPS map of the whole park; click or tap to interact on their site:

An interactive map of our route for visiting Grandview:

Grandview sign

A small visitor center:

Visitor center

Grand Canyon of the East:

Grand Canyon of the East

Path to the main viewpoint:

Path

View

Road to the Turkey Spur Overlook:

Road

View:

View

The Other Grand View

Path with 150 steps to upper viewpoints:

Path

Steps

Train:

Steps

View

Garvan Woodland Gardens

We visited Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Map:

Map

An interactive map:

An impressive architectural feature is Anthony Chapel, which we had to quickly visit as it was about to be closed for a wedding:

Anthony Chapel

A waterfall:

Waterfall

Model trains:

Model trains

This was in early November, so they were in the process of adding holiday decorations:

Holiday decorations

Gardens

Holiday decorations

Gardens

An impressive treehouse:

Treehouse

Gardens

Treehouse

Tiny

Holiday decorations

Waterfall

Holiday decorations

Japanese garden

A very nice garden, highly recommended.

Custer State Park

Perhaps our all-time favorite state park (so far) is Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

A map:

Entrance sign

Tunnel:

Tunnel

We had lunch at Sylvan Lake, then did an impromptu hike around the lake:

Sylvan Lake lunch

Sylvan Lake:

Sylvan Lake

GIF of a hidden waterfall behind the lake:

Sylvan Lake

Custer State Park

Another tunnel:

Custer State Park

Tunnel

Custer State Park

Tunnel

Custer State Park

Bison Center:

Bison Center

Wildlife Station Visitor Center:

Wildlife Station Visitor Center

Bison:

Bison

Pronghorn:

Big horn sheep

Prairie dog:

Prairie dog

Bison

Visitor Center:

Visitor Center

“Bison Poo” snack:

Biso Poo

The Needles Eye:

The Needles Eye

Custer State Park

Cathedral Spires Trail hike:

Cathedral Spires Trail hike

Legion Lake Trail hike:

Legion Lake Trail hike

Custer State Park

Tunnel

Bison

A most excellent park.

Wind Cave National Park

We visited Wind Cave National Park a few times. Unfortunately the caves themselves were closed because the elevator was out of order, so we weren’t able see them, but the surface was still enjoyable, with bison, hikes, and more.

Map:

Entrance sign:

Entrance sign

Bison:

Bison

Visitor center:

Visitor center

Cave map:

Cave map

Bison:

Bison

Loop road:

Loop road

We went for a hike on Rankin Ridge Trail:

Rankin Ridge Trail

Lookout tower:

Lookout tower

Rankin Ridge Trail

A bison strolling along next to the road:

Bison

One-lane bridge:

One-lane bridge

We’ll have to visit again to see the caves!

Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit

We also visited the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota.

The South Unit is easier to get to, and thus more popular, but in our opinion not quite as interesting. Still scenic, though. This post is about the South Unit; see yesterday’s post for the North Unit.

Here’s a map:

Map