AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS

We LOVE photographing in our National Parks!!! 

They are soooo wild, big and amazingly different!  View some tips from a few of our favorites.  Be sure to reach out to us if you are visiting a National Park.  We can give you more details from a traveling photographers' experience and maybe we can meet up if we are in the area.  

Rocky Mountain National Park

Shad and Kathi Sollars at the entrance sign for Rocky Mountain National Park.

Redwoods National Park

Shad and Kathi Sollars at the entrance sign for Redwoods National Park in 2020.

Smoky Mountain National Park

Shad and Kathi Sollars with our National Park pass as we are driving in Smoky Mountain National Park.

Yellowstone National Park

Shad and Kathi Sollars at the entrance sign for Yellowstone National Park.

Shenandoah National Park

Shad and Kathi Sollars with our National Park pass as we are driving into Shenandoah National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Shad and Kathi Sollars (with our son Kilian and his wife Lauren) at Smoky Mountain National Park entrance sign.

Yellowstone National Park

Shad and Kathi Sollars with our National Park pass as we are entering Yellowstone National Park at the south entrance.

Shenandoah National Park

Shad and Kathi Sollars at the Swift Run Gap Entrance at Shenandoah National Park.

Redwoods National Park

Shad and Kathi Sollars with our National Park pass as we are driving in Redwoods National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Our favorite National Park offers animals, beautiful scenery and hiking. Wildlife to see: *Elk *Deer *Moose * Coyote *Eagles * Bear. Best time to visit: All year round brings something new everyday. Early summer is great for baby wildlife and animals out moving after the long winter. Fall is our favorite time for the Elk rut and beautiful Fall colors. Places not to miss: Sheep Lake, Fall River Road, Trail Ridge, the West side, Moraine Valley and Sprague Lake. Outside the park be sure to check out Chapel on the Rock at Allenspark. Tips: Go early! or later afternoon and evening for better animal viewing. Make sure you get your reservations for entry (or go super early or after 3pm when you don't need a ticket)...do your homework online. Pack food for in the park. Stay hydrated, altitude sickness is real. Places to stay: Estes Park offers many lodging options and enjoy more elk viewing, hummingbird viewing, shopping and restaurants.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park will always be one of our most favorite parks to visit. This place is magical. The mountains are gorgeous, hike the lakes, and view wildlife. Wildlife to see: *Elk *Bear *Moose *Antelope *Deer *Bison *Coyote *Fox. Best time to visit: Early summer has become our favorite time of year. Snow on the mountain tops creates beautiful backdrops and the animals are active after a long winter. Fall is our next favorite to see the bears hanging out eating berries before winter, hearing the elk bugle and seeing the beautiful fall colors. Places not to miss: Moose/Wilson road - Don't forget to look up in the trees. The bears like this area for all the berries. Moose Lake. Jenny Lake. Oxbow Bend. Schwabacher Landing. Gros Ventre Rd. Mormon Barns off Antelope Flats Road. Tip: Go early and later afternoon to sunset for better lighting and animal activity. Get out and hike. If you get a chance take Hwy 26/287 from Dubois for amazing views!! Jackson is a fun mountain town with shops and restaurants. Places to stay: We enjoy Airbnb's in Victor, Idaho. Neat small town vibe and much cheaper than Jackson.

Grand Teton National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is so big and you can observe wildlife, view geological wonders and explore geothermal areas. Wildlife to see: *Bison *Bear *Elk *Deer *Fox *Coyote *Moose *Wolf *Eagle *Swan. Best time to visit: Early summer you can enjoy the new baby wildlife and more animal movement before the visitor crowds. Fall is always beautiful with the Elk rut, animals preparing for winter and Fall colors. Places not to miss: Hayden Valley, Lamar Valley, Madison River out to West Yellowstone, Old Faithful Geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring, Firehole Canyon Drive, Mammoth Hot Springs, Lower Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone Grand Canyon. Tip: Go early or later afternoon to sunset for better lighting and animal activity. Give yourself plenty of time, bison jams are real! Enjoy no cell service. Pack your lunch if you stay all day. Places to stay: We stay in West Yellowstone but have also stayed in Cooke City, Red Lodge, Montana and Cody, Wyoming.

Yellowstone National Park

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Smoky Mountain National Park is beyond beautiful. Waterfalls and more waterfalls, wildlife and hiking. Wildlife to see: *Bear *Deer *Elk *Turkey *Black Snake. Best time to visit: Smoky's will offer year round beauty. We enjoyed the spring flowers and the green of early summer (we missed the Rhododendron season) Fall was absolutely gorgeous and our favorite time. Places not to miss: Cades Cove, Roaring Forks Drive, Tail of the Dragon, Mingus Mill, Laurel Falls, Juney Whank Falls, Tom Branch Falls. Maggie Valley for lunch at Bear Water Brewery. Tips: Stop at the overlooks! Adventure around the old cabins, barns, churches and cemeteries. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway! Pack food for the day. Get out and hike! Fun shops, restaurants and entertainment in Gatlinburg. Places to stay: Book at cabin in Wears Valley! We also stayed in Pigeon Forge but will now always go back to Wears Valley.

Smoky Mountain National Park

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can experience beautiful landscape, wildlife and hiking. Wildlife to see: *Bear *Deer *Squirrel *Rabbit *Birds, butterflies & bumblebee. Best time to visit: Spring to early summer will offer an array of green and spring flowers along with momma and baby wildlife. Fall is beautiful for the color and less of the summer crowds. Places not to miss: Stoney Man Overlook Hike. Dark Hollow Falls. Adventure around Skyland Resort. Limberlost Trail. Tips: Stop at the overlooks! Get out and hike. Fill up with gas and pack your food for the day. Places to stay: Skyland is a hotel inside the park. Or find places to stay in towns outside the park.

Shenandoah National Park

Arches National Park

Arches National Park is a red rock wonderland full of natural arches and rock formations that will blow your mind. Hiking and amazing photo opportunities. Wildlife to see: Not much. Best time of year to visit: Spring and Fall...too hot during the summer. Places not to miss: Three Gossips, Balanced Rock, Windows Trailhead (Turret & Window Arches), Delicate Arch (if you are up for a hike), Firey Furnace, Broken Arch, Devil's Garden (Landscape Arch). Moab Brewery. Tips: Go early...it gets hot. Reservations are required for entry to do your homework. Hiking permit required for Firey Furnance. Take lots of water, food and gas up before you go into the park. Be in the park for sunrise, then go back to town for nap, shopping and lunch then back to the park for the magic hour before sunset. Places to stay: Moab is a 10 min drive from the park entrance and will have a lot of hotel, Airbnb and camping options.

Arches National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is beautiful canyons and rock formations carved out by the Colorado River. Wildlife to see: Not much. Best time to visit: Spring and Fall. Summer is HOT. Places not to miss: Deadhorse Point. Thelma and Louise Point. Mesa Arch. Tips: Extended backpack hiking - go prepared with equipment and water. Stop at all the overlooks! Pack food for the day. Great addition to your Arches National Park visit. Places to stay: Moab has many hotel, Airbnb and camping options.

Canyonlands National Park

Redwoods National Park

Redwoods National Park is home of the tallest trees, scenic drives, rivers and hiking in the forest. Wildlife to see: *Salamanders *Banana Slugs *Eagles *Elk. Best time to visit: Redwoods are beautiful year round. The Winter and Spring will be wet. Summer and Fall is our favorite time of year to visit. Places not to miss: Stout Grove Trail. Boyscout Tree. Grove of Titans. Smith River. SeaQuake Brewery. Tips: Get out and hike! Pack your food and water for the day. Go early as the sun is rising and the air is thick...makes for magical sun rays through the trees. Places to stay: Jedediah Smith Park Campground. Panther Flat Campground. Crescent City hotels.

Redwoods National Park
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