Best National Parks and trails for beginners?

[viper88]

Need advice for a road trip.

A friend is planning a 3 week long vacation to some national parks with their 2 kids. The kids are 10 and 13. They just bought a new JLU and want to explore National Parks and other interesting parts of the country. Other than wanting to leave in 2 weeks they have no plan yet.

Their starting point will be Michigan City IN. They have not decided on where to go yet. They are very open to recommendations. Most of their trip will be hotel/motels and maybe a couple of days camping. Which National Parks and trails would you recommend for beginners. What are fun trails that do not require much experience? They want to do mostly sightseeing with the kids on some fun roads and trails.

Let the recommendations and fun suggestions begin!

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[orangemachine]

i would suggest the great smokey mountain national park in tn, we just returned from there after spending 3wks there.for driving trails i would recommend cades cove which is about 11 mile loop rd or roaring fork motor trail,on bothe we saw bears,couyote and wild turkey.walkinf[g traisl i dont know much about,i would suggest not going in august that time of year its very warm in tn, which would interest young children

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Second for GSMNP. Laurel Creek Rd. along Cade’s Cove Loop.

 

[Robnfl]

#3 for GSMNP... From there go to Nemo train tunnel and camp/hike at Frozen Head SP. A must see is the Cherohala skyway which is awesome and you can add some trails off of it. Then visit the Cherokee National Forest where there are numerous trails and waterfalls. Visit Gatlinburg and try some real moonshine. The kids will love Pigeon Forge and Dolly World. All of this within about 2 hours of each other.
If you really feel adventuresome, Windrock is nearby which has many trails from mildish to wild.

 

[cbfinn_99]

#4 For GSMNP.

Ride out to Cades Cove loop (CLOSED every Wednesday from May 5- September 1, 2021 for bicycle and pedestrain traffic only) and then take Rich Mountain Road back to town. It is a 12 mile, one way, gravel road. The road is an easy drive, and has some great views. You-tuber Yankeeinthesouth has ump-teen videos on the area.

Rich Mountain Road 8:00m


Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail


Greenbriar Area 3:23m


Just as an extra, I would highly recommend either Outrageous Cabins or VRBO Summit Manor Condos as a home base.

 

[viper88]

i would suggest the great smokey mountain national park in tn, we just returned from there after spending 3wks there.for driving trails i would recommend cades cove which is about 11 mile loop rd or roaring fork motor trail,on bothe we saw bears,couyote and wild turkey.walkinf[g traisl i dont know much about,i would suggest not going in august that time of year its very warm in tn, which would interest young children

I did not even think about the Smokey Mountains for my friend's trip? It's a much shorter drive. Great suggestion! I have been to that area many-many times in sports cars. I go to drive the Blue Ridge Highway, Tail and Back of the Dragon and all the other fun roads. I love Fontana Lake on the NC side. Never been down there in a Wrangler. I will pass along the suggestions.

Hell, I will probably do that trip myself when I order and pick up my 2022 Wrangler. A top contending dealer is Gupton Motors in Springfield TN which is not far from their. Order from Gupton and road trip in the area. Thanks!

 

[rcadden]

If you or your friends go through Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, DEFINITELY splurge a little on "Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede". It's like Medieval Times at the Rodeo, extremely 'Murica - we loved it.

 

[DenaliDan]

Another suggestion in the GSMNP area is Bunches Creek Rd. which is NE of Cherokee. Another one-way gravel road that allows you to feel like you're really out there.

 

[MtCamper]

I don't have a clue as to the Eastern Parks but if you want to come west, you can't beat Utah. Down side is post-covid travel is way up and they are crowded. If they have any intent to camp, they will either need to boondock or go commercial. They parks are all filled up with reservations. Wherever they go they will be much happier if they have reservations in hand before they leave home.

 

[Steel8083]

In the Smokies also check out Middle Prong Trail between Townsend and Cades Cove. Nice drive on mostly gravel and an easy hike to some nice falls.
While in Townsend stop by Cades Cove Jeep Outpost to pic up some tshirts and more
Then by Pigeon Forge theres Smoky Mountain Jeep Outfitters also.

 

[bonniejf]

Driving to the Cataloochee Valley to see the elk in the Smokies is a must do! It's a long, winding, narrow, gravel road with steep drop offs to get there. Elkmont and Smokemont campgrounds both have little streams/rivers running through them and are excellent places to camp in the park.

 

[MSteeves]

If they are going west, I'd suggest Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Curecanti national recreation area, Colorado National Monument ... and, the Great Sand Dunes and the Medano Primitive Road. Also Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Further north, there's Dinosaur National Monument and Flaming Gorge. Also, don't underestimate the national wildlife refuges. Some of our faves there are the ones on the Charles Kuralt Trail.

https://www.fws.gov/refuges/

https://www.fws.gov/southeast/pdf/brochure/kuralt-trail-north-carolina-refuges.pdf

Oh ... speaking of Florissant ... here's of some of the Florissant elk wandering all over the highway and hiking trails:

 

[dpike]

i think i'd do utah with a run out to vegas if i had 3 weeks clear.

 

[Odyssey USA]

Seriously, Manistee National Forest, etc in the UP! That or go west to the Black Hills in SD.

 

[mgarciaknight]

Just two weeks ago I was in Gatlinburg/PF area. Rented large cabin up in the mountains. First time in that area. Awesome place to vacation. My 8yr old daughter and I loved it. Great views. I was in the Liberty, not the Wrangler. Gotta admit some trails up in the mountain were scary. We did class IV white water rafting, zip lines, horseback riding, slow tubing, walking the river, hiking. So much outdoor stuff. Saw bears, elk, and other large and small critters.

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