If you had the option of either traveling to Utah for a swing through its national parks, or to California to sample its national parks, which would you choose?
True, California has Yosemite and Sequoia and Lassen Volcanic and Redwood just to name four, and overall more national parks than Utah. But Utah has Arches and Canyonlands and Zion, wonders that frame a red-rock landscape like none other in the world.
To help you decide, here's a breakdown of the national parks (just parks, not seashores, monuments, preserves, etc.) in those states:
California
Yosemite National Park
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Death Valley National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Channel Islands National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Utah
Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Zion National Park
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Comments
For me, living all of my life on the East coast, it's Utah, hands down. Spent two weeks there last year, can't wait to spend more! The beauty of unspoiled creation is beyond compare...
I have been to Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Santa Monica Mountains NRA, and on the National Forest side of things, Big Sur/Ventana, Muir Woods, San Gabriel, Inyo, and San Jacinto. Over 50 nights in a tent over the past couple of years, I'd say.
In defense of California, it has the most variety of scenery, the best rock quality in its granite (especially in the Sierra!) and some of the most entertaining memories I have ever had. I dont think anyone could ever forget a Joshua Tree sunset, or a nap under a coastal Redwood.
That said, the parks are generally crowded, the bears will rob you blind, and the state is run by a bunch of goons!
I've spent about an equal amount of time in Utah's parks over the past seven years. I've been to Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and two districts of Canyonlands. Zion is far and away the best one I have experienced. Once you get off the beaten path, that is. Of the rest, I would most like to do the Maze District of Canyonlands. Of what I know, Utah has great deserts, but overall it just cant stand up to what California has. That said, it is much easier for me to relax and enjoy myself in Utah than it is in the hustle of California. So I vote Utah!
I have been to parks in both states and am a California Resident. Both states have fantastic National Parks. My vote is California because Yosemite is my favorite place in the world and I visit it often. But my two favorite hikes are angels landing and the narrows at Zion.
It's only **relatively** unspoiled with NPS and other protected areas. A trip to the Moab area, and you'll find the remains of mining almost everywhere.
I'll stay out of the political discussion here. However - Yosemite is crowded. The bears in Yosemite (and to some extent SEKI) are the most aggressive in North America at obtaining human food. I've been to Bumpass Hell in Lassen, and although it compares favorably to some thermal areas in Yellowstone, the number of people was generally far less.
What is crowded is Zion Canyon in the summertime. My understanding is that traffic was worse than Yosemite Valley before they instituted the mandatory shuttle.
Utah, because there's so much wild land to explore just outside park boundaries. These areas are little known because they're managed by the Bureau of Land Management. At Zion, there's the Canaan Mountain Wilderness near Springdale, which got wilderness status last year. Next door to Canyonlands there are several big proposed BLM wilderness areas. They're part of the panorama you see from Grand View Point. Same for Capitol Reef and Bryce. And there's the whole Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, managed by BLM. An interactive map and photos of these areas appear on the website of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.
I have to agree with Bob - the diversity of California is what makes it so attractive (well that and the majestic big trees). Utah is special and magical in it's own way but a girl can only take it so much 'geology'. I must vote for California! Also, these people that chime in with their multi-week travel itineraries should just pipe down - I have to do these trip is week or week and a half blocks and hearing about longer trips just makes me GREEN with envy!
I would say that singularly Yosemite is the most spectacular national park among all within California and Utah. I could spend a week in Yosemite and not get tired of it. However - Utah makes for an excellent road trip where one could tick off a day or two in each park.
Still - try obtaining an alcoholic beverage in Utah. I know it's been relaxed recently, but I got my libations in Arizona before driving in to Utah.
y_p_w, be careful with that. It is actualyl illegal to transfer alcohol into Utah from another state. I really doubt anyone enforces it since all of us here at Capitol Reef do it, but you never know when someone might be having a bad day and will want to cite!
Since I now live in Utah and have easy access to all the parks here, I'd have to go with California since it's a state that I haven't been able to explore. I love Utah (except for those alcohol laws!) and I am always happy to come home, but for a change of scenery I want CA. I also agree that it has much more diversity.