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[quote=Anonymous]Well, OP, I could go ON and ON, LOL but I'll be brief and then you can search the DCUM travel section for more.

Zion NP, independently, is every single person in our family's favorite place in the US.  If you go in the fall, you can hike "The Narrows."  Incredible!

Nearby is Bryce NP, a totally different kind of mind-blowing place.  Easy to do on the same trip.

Yosemite NP is fabulous--but the whole world knows about it, so you have to be ready to deal with the Disneyland of National Parks.  But once you start hiking up those cliffs, you get away from the crowds that linger at the bottom.

I've also been to Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP which is beautiful but I'd put them after the three I mentioned above.

I'd also put The Grand Canyon lower on the list--seriously, I know it's hard to believe, but let me qualify:  If you plan to stay at the Rim with more Disneyland-types, it's not "the best."  IF, however; you do what only a very small percentage does…it's small, like 1-5%; I can't remember--and hike down INTO the Grand Canyon…an experience of a lifetime, OP.  You can hike down to the bottom, set up camp or stay at Phantom Ranch (that takes advance planning so call now) and hike out.  Put your stuff on a mule. (But hiking is better than taking the mules--they go head-to-tail and you breathe and see dust all day).  Hike it and at one point the mule train with your stuff will pass you on your way up!  At the moment you'll be jealous of your stuff, but really, it's a wonderful experience.

I never got to Yellowstone/Grand Teton NPs, so can't comment but hear they are exceptional.  They are on our list but we moved to NoVa and it messed up our Yellowstone trip.  When we move back, it goes back on the list![/quote]

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