Page 20 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

18  INTRODUCING THE SOUTHWEST PUT TING THE NA TIONAL P ARKS ON THE M AP  19

Putting the National Parks on the Map

From the awe-inspiring depths of the Grand Canyon,
to the sparkling rivers and red-rock mesas of Zion,
the National Parks of the American Southwest
encompass some of the most diverse and spectacular
landscapes in the world. The parks can be busy in high
season (May to September), but in low season, it may
feel as though you have the whole park to yourself.
Several of the parks preserve Native American history,
including pre-historic ruins of Ancestral Puebloan cliff Arches National Park is a red-rock wonderland
dwellings. Outdoor activities are popular, including Canyonlands National Park that preserves an unparalleled collection of massive
stone arches carved by the forces of nature.
encompasses a vast expanse of wild west
hiking on trails ranging from easy to extreme. Most landscapes: deep canyons, mesas, plateaus The 3.2 m (5.1 km) round-trip hike to Delicate
parks offer at least minimal services, with the larger and rock spires. This remote region was one Arch is a favorite activity.
parks offering hotels, campgrounds and restaurants. of the last places in the US to be mapped.
Mesa Verde has been home to
ancient native cultures for over
Capitol Reef’s green valleys and GrandGrand 9,000 years. It is best known for the
red rock canyons attracted early SalinaSalina JunctionJunction
Mormon settlers, whose history is spectacular cliff dwellings of the
on display at the restored Gifford 7070 MontroseMontrose Ancient Puebloans that can be
Homestead. The park also features MoabMoab seen from overlooks on a rim drive
extensive petroglyphs created by 1515 around the park, or visited during
prehistoric native people. TorreyTorrey 191191 COLORADOCOLORADO guided hikes.
Cedar CityCedar City UTAHUTAH
Zion National Park 550550
LakeLake
features dramatically PowellPowell AlamosaAlamosa
beautiful landscapes St. GeorgeSt. George 8989
carved by the sparkling FarmingtonFarmington
LakeLake
Virgin River. The MeadMead PagePage TaosTaos
postcard tableaus LasLas 160160 191191
include red rock cliffs, VegasVegas Tuba CityTuba City
Colorado
buttes and mesas that Colorado GrandGrand EspañolaEspañola
overlook verdant valleys CanyonCanyon 550550 Santa FeSanta Fe
and slot canyons. 9393 GallupGallup
8989 4040
FlagstaffFlagstaff AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque
4040
Bryce Canyon is famous for its hundreds 4040 ChambersChambers 4040
of towering, wind-carved spires called NeedlesNeedles Pecos National Park features the reconstructed,
hoodoos, that create a mind-bending NEW MEXICONEW MEXICO VaughnVaughn massive Pecos Pueblo, which housed over 500 native
landscape. Hiking into the spire-filled ARIZONAARIZONA 191191 warriors when Coronado passed through in the 1500s
canyon is the most popular activity. 9393 6060 (see p29). Its strategic position guarded the Glorieta
PaysonPayson
SocorroSocorro Pass, which was the primary route from the Great
AlpineAlpine Plains to the Colorado Plateau.
BlytheBlythe 1717 2525
Rio Grande
1010 5454 RoswellRoswell
PhoenixPhoenix GlobeGlobe Rio Grande
180180 AlamogordoAlamogordo
88 Silver CitySilver City
YumaYuma
2525 CarlsbadCarlsbad
1010 Las CrucesLas Cruces
TucsonTucson 1010 DemingDeming 1010
Petrified Forest is El PasoEl Paso
named for the fossils
of great trees that lay
scattered on its NogalesNogales
desert floor. Also in Carlsbad Caverns is a
Grand Canyon is one of the most visited of this fascinating park collection of over 100 caves
all US National Parks. Visitors can choose the are ancient native that lie below the parks
busy South Rim or the less visited, higher petroglyphs, a 46,000 acres (18,000 ha) of
elevation North Rim. Both offer drives that pueblo dating back Saguaro National Park is home to desert. The aptly named
lead to breathtaking vistas. Popular activities 600 years, and a the largest cacti in North America. 4,000 ft (1,200 m) long “Big
region of colorfully
include hiking or taking a mule trip into the banded and eroded This park is split into two parts; one 0 kilometers 150 Room” can be visited on a
on either side of the city of Tucson.
canyon, and whitewater rafting trips through stone badlands called It is renowned for its remarkably 0 miles 150 self-guided tour. Ranger-
the canyon. The Painted Desert. verdant wilderness that is home to a led tours visit many of
wealth of desert plants and animals. the other notable caves.
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