You are here

Home » On The Road Through The National Park System

On The Road Through The National Park System

Share

Published Date

June 7, 2010

We are beginning the ultimate 2010 road trip: North along the 469-mile length of the Blue Ridge Parkway followed by 105-mile-long Skyline Drive that winds through Shenandoah National Park. Then west to St. Joseph, Missouri, to follow the Oregon Trail to Oregon City, Oregon, before returning via the route followed by Lewis & Clark along the Columbia and Missouri rivers.

We will be following the Lewis & Clark route from Fort Clatsop, where the Corps of Discovery spent a very uncomfortable winter, to St. Louis, Missouri, where the expedition formally commenced its epic trip. At least, that is the plan. The National Park Service is one of several organizations involved in helping to interpret the two historical trails.

We will be traveling in a 2003 Toyota RAV4, a great road-trip vehicle that has rewarded us with 32 to 36 mpg during two previous cross-country trips. Removable rear seats allow sufficient storage for a small tent, an air mattress, three blankets, a small stove, and two ice chests (adequate for some brewskis), plus essential foods including peanut butter, Ritz crackers, Oreos, and canned tuna.

During Part I of the Ultimate Road Trip, we will be reporting from each of the four lodges on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the three lodges in Shenandoah National Park. In all, we will be spending 11 nights exploring these two parks before heading west to St. Joe and the Missouri River.

The beginning of summer is certainly a good time to leave our home in south Georgia that has become oppressively hot and humid. The cooler temperatures along the Blue Ridge are quite welcome to most of us deep-south crackers who glory in our wonderful falls, mild winters, and colorful springs, but wilt like a dehydrated azalea from mid-May to mid-September.

So check in each day to see where we've been and what we've found.

Story Categories:

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Comments

Submitted by admin on June 7, 2010 - 8:48am.

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun, be safe, and please post pics along the way!


Submitted by [email protected] on June 7, 2010 - 10:40am.

Sounds like a great trip. But am I reading this right?

You're starting at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway without exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park? The start of your adventure, the Parkway, is within walking distance from Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Smokies. Stop in and say hello.


Submitted by admin on June 7, 2010 - 10:59am.

What a great adventure you have coming. Truth be told, the Blue Ridge Parkway ranks pretty high for finding the best attributes in the great outdoors. Crabtree Falls north of Asheville, offers a fabulous campground, perfect after driving the high-altitude Black-Mountain section of the PKWY. Otter Creek Campground on the north end has got to be one of the best campgrounds in the park system, as it sits in a conifer-mix forest with a full-service restaurant in the actual campground! Talk about roughing it!

Shenandoah's Loft Mountain Campground is by far the best within that park, and I guarantee a bear sighting if you walk the AT Trail around the mountain (either between 6am and 8am, or 7:30pm or 9pm).

Out West you have to see the incredable Fort Union Trading Post NHS on the Montana/North Dakota Border, watch for Amtrak's Empire Builder roaring past mid-day. North Dakota is one of my favorite states after Alaska, Montana, Hawaii, Colorado, Virginia, North Carolina, Maine, Mayland, etc, hey it beats New Jersey.

Have a great time out in the Parks!

Ben Lord


Submitted by admin on June 7, 2010 - 11:37am.

Have a great trip. Looking forward to reading about your adventures :-)

Patty


Submitted by admin on June 10, 2010 - 8:51am.

We look forward to greeting you here in St. Joseph! Along with the Oregon Trail, we are also celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Pony Express this year (also a National Park Service Historic Trail). Stop by our Visitor Center and say Hi!

Beth Carmichael
St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau


Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

Your support helps the National Parks Traveler increase awareness of the wonders and issues confronting national parks and protected areas.

Support Our Mission

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.