Best Things To Do in Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from 600 to 1300 CE. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.

My name is Rob Decker and I'm a photographer and graphic artist with a single great passion for America's National Parks! I've been to 51 of our 62 National Parks — and Mesa Verde is a unique park, given its historical and archeological significance. I have explored most areas of the park — so I'm ready to help! So if this is your first time to the park, or your returning after many years, here are some of the best things to do in Mesa Verde National Park!

Self-Guided Tours

Spruce Tree House - Best-Preserved Cliff Dwelling

You can observe Spruce Tree House from viewpoints near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. Rangers are available at the overlook to answer questions and share information.

Mesa Top Loop Road - Auto Tour - 700 Years of Mesa Verde History

A 6-mile driving tour with short, paved trails. Twelve easily-accessible sites, including surface dwellings and cliff dwelling overlooks. Highlights include Square Tower House, Sun Point Overlook, and views of Cliff Palace from Sun Point and Sun Temple stops.

Far View Sites Complex - Five Mesa Top Villages & Far View Reservoir

Far View House plus four other villages and a dry reservoir on a level 3/4-mile (1.2 km) unpaved trail. Four miles north of the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum.

Step House - Pithouse, Petroglyphs and Cliff Dwelling

 

A 100 foot descent and ascent on a winding path. Total walking distance is about one mile (1.6 km) round-trip. Allow 45 minutes to one hour. Trail begins near the Wetherill Mesa Kiosk.

Badger House Trail - Trail to Four Mesa Top Sites

The 2.25 mile round-trip trail through Badger House Community surface sites begins at Wetherill Mesa Kiosk. Your walk through this area is a journey through 600 years of prehistory. Combination gravel and paved trail.

Cliff Dwelling Guided Tours

Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House can only be visited by taking a ranger-guided tour which are very popular. A tour of Long House, on Wetherill Mesa, can be taken on the same day as a Cliff Palace or Balcony House tour. Tours can be strenuous. There are no height or age restrictions for tours, but children must be capable of walking the extent of the trails, climbing ladders, and negotiating steps independently. All infants must be carried in backpacks while on tours and adults carrying children in backpacks must be able to maintain mobility and balance. Tour tickets for Balcony House, Cliff Palace, and Long House must be purchased in person. Tour tickets sell out quickly, but can be purchased up to two days in advance.

Cliff Palace - Mesa Verde's Largest Cliff Dwelling

This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbing five, 8-10 foot ladders, on a 100 foot vertical climb. Total walking distance is about 1/4-mile, round-trip. The tour begins at Cliff Palace Overlook, an 23-mile, one-hour drive from the Visitor and Research Center.

Cliff Palace Twilight Tours

Enjoy an intimate, leisurely encounter with Mesa Verde's largest cliff dwelling. Dramatic sun lighting will appeal to both amateur and professional photographers as well as those seeking a deeper connection with this extraordinary archeological treasure.

Balcony House - Adventurous Cliff Dwelling Tour

This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbing a 32-foot ladder, crawling through a 12-foot long tunnel, and climbing up a 60-foot open rock face with two 10-foot ladders to exit the site. The tour begins at the Balcony House parking area, a 25-mile, 1-1/4 hour drive from the Visitor Center.

Long House - Mesa Verde's Most In-Depth Tour

 

Starting at the Wetherill Mesa information kiosk, this two-hour ranger-guided tour involves hiking at least 2.25 miles round-trip, and climbing two 15-foot ladders within the site. The hike has an elevation gain of about 130 feet. The tour ends at the Long House trailhead, giving you the choice of returning to the kiosk or exploring more of Wetherill Mesa on your own. Allow about 2.5 hours (total) for tour and return to kiosk.

Half-Day Guided Bus Tours

Mid-April to mid-October Mesa Verde National Park concessioner, Aramark Leisure, conducts guided bus tours that offer modern views of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Tours include the 700 Years and Far View Explorer Tours. Tickets may be purchased at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center, Far View Lodge and Terrace, and Morefield Campground.

Balcony House Sunrise Tour

Rise before dawn, and experience the magic of Balcony House at sunrise! For centuries, Pueblo farmers have been observing the sky and the change of seasons. Take the Sunrise Tour of Balcony House at summer solstice or fall equinox and join in the long tradition of skywatching in Mesa Verde. On this 90-minute tour, you will climb a 32-foot ladder, crawl through and 18-inch wide and 12-foot long tunnel, and climb up a 60-foot open cliff face with stone steps and two 10-foot ladders to exit.

Cliff Palace Early Bird Tour

Looking for an early morning adventure? This daily, early bird tour offers the benefits of a smaller group size, cooler temperatures, and the ability to reserve a tour of Cliff Palace in advance with online reservations! On this 60-minute tour, you will descend uneven stone steps and climb four ladders, with an elevation change of 100 feet. Total walking distance is 1/4 mile.

Evening Programs

Morefield Campground Evening Program

In 1907, archeologist Jesse Fewkes began the first evening campfire talks in the history of the National Park Service at Mesa Verde. That tradition continues today. Enjoy a free, 45-60 minute presentation each evening by rangers at the Morefield Amphitheater (weather permitting). The amphitheater is located at the end of the road in Morefield Campground. Bring a flashlight. Program is free and offered each evening.

Bird Watching

Mesa Verde National Park is home to several distinct habitats. The types of species which you will encounter depends on the habitat present. If you are an avid birder, make sure to purchase a copy of the brochure, "Checklist of the Birds." This will help you locate where species are found in the park. The listing of birds in this page will get you started as a bird watcher in Mesa Verde. Take the Petroglyph Point or Spruce Canyon Trail and look for warblers, flycatchers, woodpeckers, jays, hawks, chickadees, titmice, and other species. The Knife Edge Trail also has good birding. If you are lucky, you may see a peregrine falcon or a golden eagle soar from its nest out across the Montezuma Valley. During the summer months, you can walk the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail near Balcony House, or the short trail to the Park Point lookout. The Park Point area is a good place to see hawks, towhees, grouse and eagles, in addition to the many species listed above. In the fall, you may want to take the Knife Edge Trail early in the morning to catch migrating warblers and hummingbirds feeding on the Indian Paint Brush. During winter months, be on the lookout for chickadees, nuthatches, an occasional brown creeper, canyon wrens, woodpeckers, flickers, and jays during your Spruce Tree House tour. Turkey vultures usually arrive in late March and leave in early October, so the large black birds you see will likely be common ravens or the vivid black-billed magpie.

Photography

Picture Taking Tips

Some cliff dwellings are open only from late spring through early fall. During the off-season, photos may be taken from the overlooks above the cliff dwellings, weather permitting. Most of the cliff dwellings are best photographed in mid-to-late afternoon. If you have an adjustable lens we suggest you close your lens down at least 1/2 stop from what the photo meter indicates (spot meters excepted). For example, in black and white photography the front walls of Cliff Palace will give your meter a false light reading. We suggest you bracket your settings on Cliff Palace exposures. 

Best Times to Photograph by Season

June to September - 3:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. October to November - 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. December to March - 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. April to May - 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. During mid and late fall and early and mid spring the sun is lower in the southern sky and more light strikes the cliff dwellings. Winter light is generally less bright. On overcast days the soft light allows for photos to be taken that will show good details and subtle colors. During the winter months there is less vegetation obstructing views from the overlooks after the scrub oak has lost its leaves for the season.

Stargazing

While not offered as a guided activity, Mesa Verde National Park provides wonderful opportunities for stargazing. Since there are no large cities in the Four Corners region, there is very little artificial light to detract from the stars in the night sky. Most nights the skies are clear and full of stars. On a clear night, you can see the Milky Way. The locations recommended for stargazing in the park are listed below:

Far View Lodge

The only lodging available in the park from mid-April to mid-October. Each room has a balcony where guests can see for miles. For visitor safety, this area is well-lit. You may want to seek out a darker place, if this obstructs your view of the stars.

Morefield Campground

The only place to camp in the park from mid-May to mid-October. Located in the Morefield Valley, this is an especially place good for looking at stars since there is little artificial light. Join a ranger at the Morefield Amphitheater for the nightly (Memorial Day through Labor Day) campfire program. Bring a flashlight for the walk back to your campsite.

Montezuma or Mancos Overlooks

These are really the best areas in the park for stargazing. If you are staying outside of the park or want to get away from artificial lights, both of these overlooks along the Main Park Road provide views of the twinkling lights of the valley towns and the stars above. Unfortunately, these areas are not available for overnight camping.

Click here to see the Mesa Verde National Park poster.

Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who had the rare privilege of studying under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19 years old. Now, Rob is on a journey to explore and photograph all of America's National Parks. He's creating WPA-style posters to help people celebrate their own national park adventures — as well as encourage others to get out and explore!

Source: https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/best-things-to-do-in-mesa-verde-national-park

National Parks of the Grand Circle

Here's Your Itinerary to Visit the National Parks of the Grand Circle

If you live near Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix, Albuquerque or Las Vegas, you can hop on the Grand Circle in about 3 to 4 hours and start your National Parks of the Grand Circle Tour! Of course, you can also fly in to any of those cities to start your adventure.

No matter where you start, you can easily visit nine national parks with relative ease. And there's really no better way to see this country than from the open road! At most of these parks, you can either camp or take advantage of lodging inside or nearby.

The Grand Circle features some of the most spectacular national parks in the American West: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon. Great Basin National Park is also part of the Grand Circle, but is a bit out of the way -- I'll talk about an option to visit there near the end of this post.

Let's start our Grand Circle Tour from Las Vegas, which provides easy access to Zion National Park! It's less than 3 hours from Las Vegas to Springdale, Utah, where you will find plenty of options for lodging and camping.

Zion National Park

At Zion National Park you can gaze up at massive sandstone towers and cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Or, explore the Virgin River in a narrow slot canyon, which I highly recommend if the conditions are favorable. Hiking The Narrows is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Established in 1919, today you can follow the paths where ancient native people and pioneers walked and experience the special places they left behind. Learn about the park's plant and animal life, geology, ecosystems, and other natural features.

Check out the Best Things to do at Zion National Park here…

As a photographer, I try to stay at least two nights in each park to make sure I have time to explore and to hopefully have good weather on at least one of the days. But if your time is short, you can try to get to Zion early, spend the day there and part of the next before heading on to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Bryce Canyon National Park

It's just a quick hour and twenty minute drive to Bryce Canyon National Park from Zion where you'll be able to see the world's largest collection of Hoodoos! Plenty of camping and lodging options here as well.

Established in 1928, at Bryce Canyon National Park you can explore the world's largest collection of hoodoos, fins, walls and windows. These hoodoos, odd-shaped pillars of rock left standing from the forces of erosion, and  "frost-wedging", which over time shatters and pries rock apart. In addition, rain water, which is naturally acidic, slowly dissolves the limestone, rounding off edges and washing away debris.

Click here to learn more about Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is one of my all-time favorite national parks, and I highly recommend getting to the rim of the canyon for sunset. And sunrise is actually even more magical! You can hike down into the canyon or stay high along the rim. Either way, there are spectacular views everywhere you go. 

In addition to hiking and biking, Canyon Trail Rides wranglers lead 2-hour and 3-hour horse and mule rides into the Bryce Amphitheater along a dedicated horse trail and the Peek-a-boo Loop Trail. It's a great way to see the park!

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef is about a two hour drive from Bryce Canyon. Depending on your timing, this is a park where you can make a shorter stop in the Fruita Historic District and take a short hike and continue on to Moab where you'll visit Arches and Canyonlands. Or you can camp inside the park in the Fruita Historic District, too. If you're looking for lodging, the closest place is in the town of Torrey or at the Capitol Reef Resort, just outside the park.

Established in 1971, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure of cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges. It lies in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline – or wrinkle – extending almost 100 miles. Archaic hunters and gatherers first settled here. Explorers, Mormon pioneers and others arrived in the 1800s, settled in what is now the Fruita Rural Historic District and planted orchards of apples, pears, and peaches. 

Click here to learn more about Capitol Reef National Park

Next up is Moab, home to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. It's about a 2 hour drive from Capitol Reef -- and each park deserves a full day of exploration. Neither park has lodging so you'll want to stay in Moab. Both parks do have campgrounds.

Arches National Park

Established in 1971, visitors to Arches National Park discover a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures unlike any other in the world. Perched high above the Colorado River, the park has over 2,000 natural stone arches – including the world-famous Delicate Arch – in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks, each carved and shaped by eons of weathering and erosion.

Check out the Best Things to do at Arches National Park here…

Canyonlands

Established in 1964, today at Canyonlands National Park you can explore a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Green and Colorado rivers and their tributaries. Divided into four districts, the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves, these areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, but each offers unique opportunities for sightseeing and adventure. 

Check out the Best Things to do at Canyonlands National Park here…

Now that we've completed our tour of Utah's “Mighty Five” -- it's on to Colorado and a 3 hour drive to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. With two million years to work, the Gunnison River, along with the weathering forces of nature, has sculpted this vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky. Established in 1999, this deep, steep and narrow canyon is big enough to be overwhelming, yet intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. 

From here, we'll head south to Mesa Verde National Park. This is a scenic 3 hour and 45 minute drive, and Telluride is a great place to stop for lunch or take a break. Alternatively, you could go through Ouray, Silverton and Durango, which will add 20 minutes or so to the drive.

Check out the Best Things to do at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park...

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from AD 600 to 1300. Established in 1906, today the park protects nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, mesa top pueblos, farming terraces, towers, reservoirs, and check dams. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.

There's lodging and camping in the park -- and when I was there last, we had an excellent meal and the Metate Room Restaurant -- and there's an amazing view from every table!

Check out the Best Things to do at Mesa Verde National Park here…

Petrified Forest is our next stop on the Grand Circle, and you're looking at a four hour drive, most of it through New Mexico, then on into Arizona.

Petrified Forest National Park

Established in 1962, Petrified Forest National Park is best known for its fossils, especially fallen trees from the Late Triassic period of the Mesozoic era, about 225 million years ago. This was a time when the climate was humid and subtropical. The sediments containing the fossil logs are part of the widespread and colorful Chinle Formation. More than 600 archaeological sites, including petroglyphs, have also been discovered in the park. 

There's no lodging at Petrified Forest National Park, and only backcountry camping (no facilities). The nearest lodging is in the town of Holbrook, about 26 miles away.

Depending on your timing, you can see Petrified Forest National Park in one day. One main road bisects the park, and you can stop along the way and see many of the park's main points of interest.

Click Here to Learn More About Petrified Forest National Park.

Now it's on to our final destination: The Grand Canyon!

Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size: 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. Grand Canyon National Park, established in 1919, exposes unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms. You can explore the canyon by mule, bicycle, by hiking or backpacking or on whitewater and smooth water raft trips along the Colorado River. The South Rim is the most easily accessed and provides numerous places to view the canyon from above. For the more adventurous, you can hike - or take a mule ride - down into the canyon!

Check out the Best Things to do at Grand Canyon National Park here…

The Great Basin National Park Option

Great Basin National Park is a bit out of the way, but if you're inclined to go, I suggest you add that stop in before or after Zion National Park. Visiting Great Basin will add at least an extra five hours to your overall drive time. There's camping in the park, but no lodging -- and there aren't too many places to stay in the area.

From the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, to the sage-covered foothills, Great Basin National Park is a place to sample the stunning diversity of the larger Great Basin region. Here you can enjoy the solitude of the wilderness, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, bask in the darkest of night skies, and explore Lehman Caves. 

 Click here to learn more about Great Basin National Park

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About the Artist

Photographer and graphic artist Rob Decker studied photography with Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park during the summer of 1979. The experience solidified his love of photography and our National Parks. Now he is on a journey to photograph and create iconic WPA-style posters of all our national parks as we celebrate the next 100 years of the National Park Service.

"I feel that it's important to protect America's special places, and to connect people with nature. And it's up to all of us to pitch in. Perhaps more importantly, we need to inspire the next generation of park stewards. I'm trying to make a difference by giving back to the amazing organizations that support our National Parks. I donate 10% of annual profits, so when you buy one of these original works, you're helping these trusts, conservancies and associations, too."

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Click here to check out the entire National Park Poster Collection!

Source: https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/national-parks-of-the-grand-circle

February 26th is Grand Canyon National Park's Birthday

The Grand Canyon -- 277 miles long, and up to 18 miles wide reaches a depth of over a mile (6,093 feet) -- exposes nearly two billion years of Earth's geological history as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted. The canyon is the result of erosion which exposes one of the most complete geologic columns on the planet and is often considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The more recent Kaibab limestone caprock, on the rims of the Grand Canyon, formed 270 million years ago. In contrast, the oldest rocks within the Inner Gorge at the bottom of Grand Canyon date to 1.84 billion years ago. Geologists currently estimate the age of Earth at 4.5 billion years.

The Cambrian seas of the Grand Canyon were home to several kinds of trilobite, whose closest living relative is the modern horsehoe crab. They left their fossil record in the mud of the Bright Angel Shale over 500 million years ago.

Grand Canyon National Park was officially designated as a national park in 1919, though the landmark had been well known to Americans for over thirty years prior. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt visited the site and said: "The Grand Canyon fills me with awe. It is beyond comparison—beyond description; absolutely unparalleled through-out the wide world... Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now is. Do nothing to mar its grandeur, sublimity and loveliness. You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is to keep it for your children, your children's children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see."

The original photograph by Robert B. Decker for this Grand Canyon National Park poster was taken from the Kolb Studio, which was once the home and business of the Kolb brothers, pioneering photographers at Grand Canyon. The studio is located in the Village Historic District, at the Bright Angel Trailhead, where each year, thousands of hikers enter the Grand Canyon. They follow a route established by prehistoric people for two key reasons: water and access. Water emerges from springs at Indian Garden, and a fault creates a break in the cliffs, providing access.

Click here to see the Grand Canyon National Park poster.

Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who studied under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19. Now he's on a journey to explore, photograph and create iconic WPA-style posters for each of our national parks.

Click here to learn more about Rob...

 

Source: https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/february-26th-is-grand-canyon-national-parks-birthday

February 25th is Bryce Canyon's Birthday

Hoodoos! Odd-shaped pillars of rock left standing from the forces of erosion -- are found on every continent, but Bryce Canyon boasts the largest collection of hoodoos in the world! Despite its name, the major feature of Bryce Canyon is a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southwest Utah featuring thousands of Hoodoos, some up to 200 feet high. Formed by frost weathering and stream erosion, the red, orange, and white colors of the rocks provide spectacular views. In fact, on a clear day, the visibility at Bryce Canyon National Park often exceeds 100 miles! This is due to exceptional air quality, low humidity and high elevation.

The Bryce Canyon area was settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1850s and was named after Ebenezer Bryce, who homesteaded in the area in 1874. The area around Bryce Canyon became a National Monument in 1923 and was designated as a National Park in 1928. The park covers 35,835 acres but sees relatively few visitors compared to Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon, largely due to its remote location.

The park also has a 7.4 magnitude night sky, making it one of the darkest in North America. Stargazers can see 7,500 stars with the naked eye, while in most places fewer than 2,000 can be seen due to light pollution, and in many large cities only a few dozen can be seen.

Along with Bryce Canyon, Acadia, Gateway Arch, Grand Teton, Grand Canyon and Indiana Dunes celebrate their anniversaries in February.

Click here to see the Bryce Canyon National Park poster.

Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who studied under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19. Now he's on a journey to explore, photograph and create WPA-style posters for each of our national parks.

Click here to learn more about the artist...

Source: https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/february-25th-is-bryce-canyons-birthday

Acadia National Park's Birthday is February 26th

Throughout history, people have been drawn to the rugged coast of Maine. Awed by its beauty and diversity, early 20th-century visionaries donated the land that became Acadia National Park, which preserves much of Mount Desert Island, and associated smaller islands off the Atlantic coast.

Landscape architect Charles Eliot is credited with the idea for the park. George B. Dorr, called the "father of Acadia National Park," along with Eliot's father Charles W. Eliot (the president of Harvard), helped the park attain federal status when President Woodrow Wilson established it as Sieur de Monts National Monument on July 8, 1916. On February 26, 1919, it became a national park, with the name Lafayette National Park in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, an influential French supporter of the American Revolution. The park's name was changed to Acadia National Park on January 19, 1929, in honor of the former French colony of Acadia which once included Maine.

Acadia is the oldest national park east of the Mississippi River and is home to the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast. Visitors come to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads, or relax and enjoy the scenery. The park contains more than 120 miles of historic hiking trails, many of which were established by local village improvement societies in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today many of the historic features, such as stonework, are still visible. The historic carriage road system features 17 stone-faced bridges spanning streams, waterfalls, cliffs, and roadways.

Click here to learn more about Acadia National Park

Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who had the rare privilege of studying under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19. Now, Rob is on a journey to explore, photograph and create iconic, WPA-style artwork for each of our national parks.

Click here to learn more about the artist...

Source: https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/acadia-national-parks-birthday-is-february-26th-1

Celebrate Grand Teton National Park's Birthday February 26th

Rising above a scene rich with extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain, the Teton Range stands monument to the people who fought to protect it. These are mountains of the imagination. Mountains that led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park where you can explore over two hundred miles of trails, float the Snake River or enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place.

Celebrating the Life & Times of Ansel Adams

February 20th is Ansel Adams' Birthday...

Many of you may know that I had the rare privilege to study under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when I was just 19 years old. And as the years go by, I appreciate that experience more and more. I had been working with black and white film for a solid decade before I began working with Adam's Zone System, and I would spend another two decades continuing to work in black and white and hone my craft.

Photographing Yosemite National Park with Ansel Adams...sure wish I had thought about taking a selfie back in 1979!

Yosemite National Park is an amazing "classroom" and we spent time photographing the Valley, the Merced River, as well as up in the high country. But as much as the instruction, I remember some of the social time we had in the evenings, including cocktails with Ansel and his wife Virginia. I was 19 and they were in their late 70s and it was markedly clear that they were from a different era. Over the years, I've read most of what Ansel published, as well as what has been written about him. What an amazing life to have traveled this country -- and particularly to our National Parks, without dealing with the crowds and restrictions that are in place today.

At 19, I was pretty awestruck in his presence. I remember scraping together the last bit of cash I had for the summer -- just enough to buy two of his books at the bookstore in Yosemite -- The Negative and The Print seemed like the obvious choices. And then, in a bit more brazened move, I asked him to autograph them! Honestly, to this day, I can't think of anything more cherished.

The National Park Poster Project have given me an opportunity share these incredible places -- many of which Ansel Adams visited and photographed -- with people from all over the world. And, I hope in some small way, helps to create the next generation of National Park supporters. It also provides me with a way to give back, and in the last year, I made financial contributions to the National Parks Conservation Association, the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Yosemite Conservancy, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, the Western National Parks Association, Yellowstone Forever, Zion National Park Forever Project, the Grand Canyon Conservancy, and the Grand Teton Association. 

Ansel Adams, who in addition to being an amazing photographer -- was also an environmentalist who was realistic about development and the subsequent loss of habitat. Adams advocated for balanced growth, but was pained by the ravages of "progress". In his autobiography, he stated that, "We all know the tragedy of the dustbowls, the cruel unforgivable erosions of the soil, the depletion of fish or game, and the shrinking of the noble forests. And we know that such catastrophes shrivel the spirit of the people... The wilderness is pushed back, man is everywhere. Solitude, so vital to the individual man, is almost nowhere."

Ansel Adams first visited Yosemite National Park in 1916...it would be another 50 years before my first visit...the first of many. Today, it remains one of my most favorite National Parks, not just for the awe-inspiring beauty that is Yosemite, but also for the memories of camping with my family, backpacking the high country with friends, and of course, the summer of 1979 studying under one of the true masters!

Click here to see the Yosemite National Park poster!

Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist with a single passion for America's National Parks. Now he's on a journey to visit, photograph and create iconic WPA-style artwork for each of America's national parks. Click here to learn more about him. 

Source: https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/celebrating-the-life-and-times-of-ansel-adams

Best Things to do at Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer. Whether you enjoy scouting for rare species of birds or flying kites on the sandy beach, the national park's 15,000 acres will continually enchant you.  Hikers will enjoy 50 miles of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests.

Winter Activities

Hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular in the wintertime. If you need snowshoes or cross-country skis, free rentals are available at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education for use on the Paul H. Douglas Trail, weather permitting. The best areas to bring your own cross-country skiing or snowshoe equipment include the Glenwood Dunes Trail System and the Tolleston Dunes Trail System.

Beaches and Swimming

Fifteen miles of sandy beach along the southern shore of Lake Michigan offer a wide variety of recreational activities. Whether it's enjoying a summer sunset stroll or marveling at the arctic beauty of Lake Michigan's shelf ice, you can enjoy the beach in all seasons.

There are several beach parking lots along the Indiana Dunes National Park. All beaches and parking lots are open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm and have potable water and restrooms. Additionally, West Beach has showers and lifeguards from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend.

Biking

Discover much more than just sand dunes as you bike on an interconnected trail system that spans 37 miles across the entire length of the national park. A wide variety of trails traverse the various habitats and cultural history of Indiana Dunes National Park. The varying lengths make it easy to choose the trail that's right for you. From a short easy ride to a challenging all-day trek, most of the trails are open all year and the experience will change with each season.

Bird Watching

Located at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, the national park is an important feeding and resting area for migrating birds. Lake Michigan influences the migration patterns of bird species. During the fall migration, southbound birds follow the north-south shoreline and are funneled into the Indiana Dunes. The large expanse of open water and miles of shoreline also attract large numbers of wintering birds.

Indiana Dunes National Park provides an excellent opportunity for birders to see a variety of bird species. Birders can observe hawks during migration from the top of a sand dune, watch waterfowl with a spotting scope from the shoreline, or look for wetland birds in remnant sections of the Great Marsh. Whether you have beginner or advanced identification skills, Indiana Dunes National Park is a great place for birders.

The national park plays an important role in the annual Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, which takes place the third weekend in May. This incredible four-day event showcases dozens of birding spots around the region with expert led outings.

Fishing & Boating

Fishing

Fishing is allowed under federal, state and local laws. You need an Indiana Fishing License and a stamp if fishing for trout and salmon. Watch for drop-offs in creeks and along beaches.

Sailing & Power-boating

Sailing and power-boating are popular on Lake Michigan. There are no marinas, boat rentals or boat launches within the national park. There are services available through commercial and city facilities in Porter, Lake and LaPorte counties. Check these county tourism links for information.

Kayaking

Kayaking is increasingly popular on Lake Michigan since the inception of the Lake Michigan Water Trail and in area waterways like the Little Calumet River and Burns Waterway. Launching hand-carried, non-motorized boats from any Indiana Dunes National Park beach is permitted with the exception West Beach's lifeguarded swimming area (Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend). Lake Michigan's water conditions can quickly change from calm to dangerous, so check the weather forecast and always use a certified personal flotation device.

Canoeing

Canoeing is also popular on the region's rivers and waterways, but is generally not recommended for Lake Michigan due to frequent windy conditions and large waves. Canoeing is popular on the Little Calumet River.

Hiking

Discover much more than just sand dunes as you hike through 14 distinct trail systems covering more than 50 miles of trails. A wide variety of hiking trails traverse the various habitats and cultural history of Indiana Dunes National Park. The varying lengths and difficulty levels make it easy to choose the trail that's right for you. From a short easy stroll to a challenging all-day trek, most of the trails are open all year and the hiking experience will change with each season.

Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival

Spend the weekend outdoors at the Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival, which will take place Friday-Sunday, October 2-4, 2020, throughout the Indiana Dunes region. Packed with outdoor adventure opportunities, the festival will bring together over 70 events in one weekend. With support from Friends of Indian Dunes, Indiana Dunes State Park, Indiana Dunes Tourism, and more than dozen other partners, the Indiana Dunes National Park will host this three-day event.

Click here to see the Indiana Dunes National Park poster.

Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who had the rare privilege of studying under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19 years old. Now, Rob is on a journey to explore and photograph all 61 of America's National Parks. He's creating WPA-style posters to help people celebrate their own national park adventures -- as well as encourage others to get out and explore!

 

Source: https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/best-things-to-do-at-indiana-dunes-national-park

Bandelier National Monument

Bandelier National Monument, near Los Alamos, New Mexico, protects Ancestral Pueblo archeological sites, a diverse and scenic landscape, and the country's largest National Park Service Civilian Conservation Corps National Landmark District.

Bandelier was designated by President Woodrow Wilson as a National Monument on February 11, 1916, -- named for Adolph Bandelier -- a Swiss-American anthropologist who researched the cultures of the area and supported preservation of the sites.

Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged but beautiful canyon and mesa country as well as evidence of a human presence going back over 11,000 years.  Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities.

The Ancestral Pueblo people lived here from approximately 1150 CE to 1550 CE. They built homes carved from the volcanic tuff and planted crops in mesatop fields. Corn, beans, and squash were central to their diet, supplemented by native plants and meat from deer, rabbit, and squirrel. Domesticated turkeys were used for both their feathers and meat while dogs assisted in hunting and provided companionship.

Over 70% of the Monument is wilderness, with over one mile elevation change, from about 5,000 feet along the Rio Grande to over 10,000 feet at the peak of Cerro Grande on the rim of the Valles Caldera, providing for a wide range of life zones and wildlife habitats. There are three miles of road, and more than 70 miles of hiking trails.

The park infrastructure was developed in the 1930s by crews of the Civilian Conservation Corps and is a National Historic Landmark for its well-preserved architecture. The National Park Service cooperates with surrounding Pueblos, other federal agencies, and state agencies to manage the park.

Learn how you can get this limited edition, WPA-style print.

Source: https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/bandelier-national-monument

Canyonlands National Park

At Canyonlands National Park you can explore a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. These areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, but each offers different opportunities for sightseeing and adventure.

A must-see is the sunrise over the towering depths of the canyons or perhaps at the famed Mesa Arch at Canyonlands National Park. Here you can explore a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. These areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, but each offers different opportunities for sightseeing and adventure.

Canyonlands preserves the natural beauty and human history throughout its four districts, which are divided by the Green and Colorado rivers. While the districts share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration and adventure. Author Edward Abbey, a frequent visitor, described the Canyonlands as "the most weird, wonderful, magical place on earth—there is nothing else like it anywhere."

Though they appear close on a map, there are no roads that directly link the districts. Traveling between them requires two to six hours by car as there are few places to cross the rivers. Get directions. Most people find it impractical to visit more than one area in a single trip.

Canyonlands National Park preserves 337,598 acres of colorful canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches, and spires in the heart of southeast Utah's high desert. Water and gravity have been the prime architects of this land, sculpting layers of rock into the rugged landscape you see today.

In the early 1950s, Bates Wilson, then superintendent of Arches National Monument, began exploring the area to the south and west of Moab, Utah. After seeing what is now known as the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, Wilson began advocating for the establishment of a new national park that would include the Needles. Additional explorations by Wilson and others expanded the areas proposed for inclusion into the new national park to include the confluence of Green and Colorado rivers, the Maze District, and Horseshoe Canyon.

In 1961, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall was scheduled to address a conference at Grand Canyon National Park. On his flight to the conference, he flew over the Confluence (where the Colorado and Green rivers meet). The view apparently sparked Udall's interest in Wilson's proposal for a new national park in that area and Udall began promoting the establishment of Canyonlands National Park.

In September 1964, after several years of debate, President Lyndon B. Johnson established Canyonlands as a new national park. Bates Wilson became the first superintendent of the new park. He is often referred to as the "Father of Canyonlands."

Click Here to See the Canyonlands National Park Poster!

Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who studied under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19 years old. Now, he's creating iconic WPA-style posters for each of our National Parks. Click Here to learn more about his story and The National Park Poster Project.

Source: https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/canyonlands-national-park