Spend an afternoon hiking a forested mountain and the evening having dinner in a gourmet restaurant. Spend the day strolling a quaint town square and the night testing your luck at blackjack. A vacation in the western United States can provide all of these opportunities and more. Vacation spots in the western United States appeal to naturalists seeking scenic locations and contemporaries seeking first-class service and modern amenities.
Stretching 140 miles, Death Valley, California is the hottest and driest place in North America. In July, 1913, the desert reached its highest recorded temperature at 134 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, at 282 feet below sea level, the park's Badwater Basin is the lowest place in North America.
Death Valley is a very large park, and accordingly, visitors should plan ahead in order to make the most of a trip. Popular park activities include hiking and backpacking, visiting the ghost towns and watching the sun rise or set from atop Dante's View or Zabriskie Point. If visiting the park during the summer, it is best to tour the area in an air-conditioned vehicle. Hiking the park at anytime other than early morning is not recommended during summer months. The park has two visitor centers and a Borax museum and offers guided tours. Visitors to the park can camp at one of the nine campgrounds on the property or stay in one of the four lodges in the park or additional accommodations outside the park.
As of September 2010, the park entrance fees range from $10 to $200 depending on the number of persons and type of vehicle. Campsite fees range from free of charge to $18.
Death Valley National Park
P.O. Box 579
Death Valley, CA 92328
760-786-3200
nps.gov
Black Hawk, Colorado is a mining town located 30 miles west of Denver in the Rocky Mountains. This small, quaint town offers visitors the feel of a historic western town but with modern comforts. Visitors who want an outdoor vacation can partake in activities such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing or snowshoeing and camp in one of the area's five campgrounds.
Visitors in search of a different vacation experience can visit the museums and small shops, take in a performance at the opera house or tour the local gold mine. Additionally, the town has legalized gambling and the more than 20 casinos are one of the most popular tourist attractions. Four casinos also provide hotel lodgings or guests can choose to stay at one of the six available bed-and-breakfast inns.
Black Hawk/Central City Visitors and Convention Bureau
2520 East Alameda Circle
Denver, CO 80209
303-282-8800
visitbhcc.com
Located 20 miles east of Portland, Oregon, Mount Hood National Forest spans more than one million acres. The forest includes 60 miles of forested mountains, including the 11,237-foot Mount Hood, 77 waterfalls, as well as several lakes and streams.
Visitors to the forest can hike or ski the snowy trails in the winter, fish or boat on the lakes and rivers or climb to the summit of Mount Hood. Climbers should be experienced; the mountain is a technical climb and there are no trails leading to the top. Visitors can also drive to nearby areas including Portland and Columbia River Gorge. Visitors can choose to camp at one of the campgrounds located throughout the park or stay at a local mountain lodge.
Mt. Hood National Forest
16400 Champion Way
Sandy, OR 97055
503-668-1700
fs.fed.us
