4) Take a Wake Up to Wildlife Tour. The 3 to 3½- hour tour from Mammoth goes to the Lamar Valley, ho

8:31 PM EDT October 14. 2012 Most travelers choose to visit America s national parks during summer when crowded roads, packed restaurants hotels in branson missouri and peak lodging prices are the norm. You can reduce the headaches and pare expenses by planning a winter trip to a national park. The winter experience hotels in branson missouri is likely to include some fun activities that most of your friends can only dream about. Here are ten great winter activities to enjoy in three of America hotels in branson missouri s most popular national parks:
The USA s first national park becomes a winter wonderland with steaming geysers, abundant wildlife, and a solitude that summer hotels in branson missouri visitors don t enjoy. Only two of the park s nine lodging facilities are open during winter: Old Faithful Snow Lodge ($219), one of the park s newest and nicest lodging facilities, in the Old Faithful area, and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel ($123) near the park s north entrance. hotels in branson missouri Concessionaire Xanterra Parks Resorts offers a variety of packages hotels in branson missouri that include lodging and select activities. Call (866) 439-7375. Some activities to consider:
1) Snowshoe or cross-country hotels in branson missouri ski through the thermal basins. The geysers, pools, mudpots, and fumaroles are even more impressive when the air is crisp and snow blankets the ground. Snowshoes, skis, and other winter gear can be rented hotels in branson missouri at Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
2) Take a snowcoach tour. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is the park s most spectacular natural feature and ice-crusted Lower Yellowstone Falls is spectacular. Snowcoaches are heated and lunch is included on this narrated trip from Old Faithful that lasts most of a day.
3) Rent a snowmobile and experience the ride of your life. Guides must accompany snowmobiles within the park, but not outside its borders in the national forest. Snowmobile rentals are available in neighboring towns, or at Old Faithful and Mammoth inside the park. The town of West Yellowstone is a center for snowmobiling with many miles of trails in the neighboring national forest. hotels in branson missouri Guides are available for trips to the park.
4) Take a Wake Up to Wildlife Tour. The 3 to 3½- hour tour from Mammoth goes to the Lamar Valley, home of Yellowstone s wolves. The elusive hotels in branson missouri creatures are more easily seen during winter when they descend to lower elevations in search of prey. Binoculars and spotting scopes are provided.
The hostile natural environment of this sprawling desert park is less intimidating hotels in branson missouri during winter when reasonable hotels in branson missouri temperatures allow a greater appreciation of the spectacular geological features. hotels in branson missouri Death Valley has four lodging facilities hotels in branson missouri including the four-diamond Furnace Creek Inn ($345-$390). Less expensive and nearby Furnace Creek Ranch offers motel-type rooms and appeals to families ($139-$169). Call (800) 326-7916. Lodging inside the park is also available at Stovepipe Wells ($95 $160) and Panamint Springs Resort ($79 $109).
5) Play the world s lowest elevation golf course. The eighteen-hole course at Furnace Creek opened in 1931 and was later renovated by golf architect Peter Dye. Experienced golfers claim a difference in ball response when playing on a course 214 feet below sea level. The winter green fee is $55.
6) Visit Devil s Racetrack. The racetrack is in a remote area of the park where stones leave tracks as they mysteriously move across the desert surface of a dry lake. Some speculate that strong winter winds cause the stones to slide across smooth clay made slippery by rain. Access hotels in branson missouri is via a 27-mile dirt road requiring a four-wheel drive vehicle.
7) Tour Scotty s Castle. Cowboy, prospector, and conman Death Valley Scotty struck up a friendship with a wealthy Chicago businessman hotels in branson missouri who fell in love with Death Valley and built this unusual home. Fifty-minute historical tours are offered daily. Special Underground Mysteries Tours offered only during winter focus on the technology employed in building and living in the castle.
8) Ride a mule. Tell someone you visited the Grand Canyon and they are likely to ask if you took a mule ride. Choose either a 3-hour trip through a Pinyon Pine forest hotels in branson missouri to Abyss Overlook ($123) or a trip to the bottom of the canyon with an overnight stay at Phantom Ranch ($507). Meals are included in the overnight trip. Participants must be at least 4 feet, 7 inches tall, and not weigh over 200 pounds.
9) Ride a historic railroad. The Grand Canyon Railway connects the town of Williams with the South Rim. The 2 ¼-hour trip offers a fun way to gain a different perspective on this beautiful country. A special Polar Express operates from November through the first week of January. Call (800) THE-TRAIN.
10) Learn something worthwhile. Gain an expert s knowledge about this spectacular park in a day-long Meet the Canyon class sponsored by the Grand Canyon Field Institute. Class includes a short hike into the canyon and a walk along the rim. The institute offers a variety of classes that vary throughout the year.
Avalanche tips that might just save your life Travel to Montana s Yellowstone National Park with an eye toward family adventure Picking the Perfect National Park for Your Vacation Statue of Liberty storm damage will take month to assess hotels in branson missouri New U.S. quarter will honor Denali National Park National Parks free to veterans this weekend Sandy takes its toll on nation s parks A Little History about Katmai National Park and Preserve Recession hotels in branson missouri sparks slump in national hotels in branson missouri park visits Encountering Bears in the Wild- A Few Simple Tips