While we are sheltered in our homes and staying safe among the COVID-19 crisis, cabin fever might set in. Why not take a virtual road trip and “visit” some of the national parks of the West? Come on an adventure with us!
START HERE: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Hello Oregonians and Idahoans! We begin our virtual road trip at Yosemite National Park, a true gem of the United States. Located in California and nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite is known for it’s gargantuan sequoias and beautiful waterfalls. Gather the family and enjoy this virtual experience.
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Whether you’ve seen the Grand Canyon in person or it’s on your bucket list, this stop is a MUST-SEE on our Virtual road trip of the west. Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and for good reason. Visit here.
GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK
This National Park, located in Nevada near the Utah Border, is perfect for astronomy fans with its Great Basin Observatory. Star gaze, explore the park, and learn with a series of Ranger Minutes videos the park has created for a virtual experience.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Beautiful Arches National Park, located in Utah, is a must-see. Luckily for us, they’ve partnered with Google Earth to offer an immersive virtual tour experience, you can see this desert beauty in all it’s natural glory here.
ZION NATIONAL PARK
It’s time to head to Utah to beautiful Zion National Park. Known for it’s breathtaking scenery and canyons, Zion National Park is gorgeous. This virtual tour allows you to take an e-hike of Angel’s Landing. The tour boasts a taste of the wonders of Zion, including the pink-hues of sunset landscapes, calls from local birds in the area, and more.
MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Culture fans, you’ll want to pay attention because this park is for you! Mesa Verde National Park is located in Colorado and is known for it’s preservation of Native American artifacts and discovery of Native American culture. Check out the Google Earth virtual tour and then take a look at some of the videos the National Park staff have created.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Now, let’s travel to a park that needs no introduction, Yellowstone National Park! Famed for it’s geysers, hot springs, and natural wonders there are several virtual tours you can take of monuments within the park. Explore away!
CRATERS OF THE MOON NATIONAL PARK
This unique park calls Idaho home and is a jungle of cinder cones, sagebrush, and lava flows. The National Park staff have put together a multimedia experience for this park, including apps you can download, videos to watch and immersive animations!
JOHN DAY FOSSIL BEDS – NATIONAL MONUMENT
Located in Oregon, John Day Fossil Beds features…well, fossils! Budding archaeologists everywhere will enjoy the interactive and immersive fossil virtual tour (they suggest opening it with Microsoft Edge), highlighting some of the great finds at this national monument.
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
Ah, the Pacific NW, a treasure trove of natural beauty, wildlife, and more. This virtual road trip stop features an interactive map that allows you to explore Mt. Rainier and some of it’s most popular attractions. Plus, it includes some great virtual hikes!