Recommendations for accessible national parks?

[cirwin2010]

I haven't done much long distance traveling in my life and I'm trying to change that by starting with some national parks here in the US. I'm located in the northeast and I have some time set aside in October for a trip.
I'm looking for something that has plenty to experience over the course of a few days but is also relatively accessable. Something close-ish to an airport and doesn't require too much hiking would be ideal (I got bad feet).

Zion looks appealing and Yosemite also comes to mind. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences to share? Looking to get my toes wet with flying out to places.

 

[jeffreyg]

The Southwest has much to offer. As you mentioned Zion there is also Bryce Canyon, the areas around Moab, Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley, Sedona and the surrounding areas, Hovenweep and of course the Grand Canyon just to mention a few in that general area.
Do a little research online to get an idea of what you might like. I’ve been out there several times and have never been disappointed.
I’m sure others will add to the list and each has a way they like to travel and what subject matter they prefer to photograph
Yosemite is in California and is worth a separate trip as well as the Pacific coast, Oregon and Washington.

 

[jvo]

all the "must see" stuff is crowded, and done before - although you might bring new insight to it.

i'd start by looking close to home... You might be surprised at what you find, and also the resultant images.

 

[cirwin2010]

all the "must see" stuff is crowded, and done before - although you might bring new insight to it.

i'd start by looking close to home... You might be surprised at what you find, and also the resultant images.

Done close to home plenty. Also this is more than just photography, I just want to experience new things.

 

[jeffreyg]

Since you asked for some experiences…The travel I do is not just for photography. My wife likes to sleep later than me so I generally go out early to photograph and then we’ll do other activities although I will carry a daypack with a camera. We have had a number of interesting experiences while travelling some of which surprisingly yielded good photos.
One of our trips to Sedona along with another couple while going to a spot (one of the vortex areas) we encountered / met a woman who claimed to be a psychic. Amazingly she was very accurate about us without any prior knowledge of us. The other couple were both physicians and I am a dentist and my wife a college grad and when the conversation with her started we were thinking “oh yeah”but she was right on. Back in town we bought a cd of indigenous flute music to play in the car as we sought out the other vortex spots
On a separate trip also to Sedona, I went out to photograph. I stopped and set up my tripod and camera and took a couple of photographs and then drove eighteen miles on a dirt road to some old ruins. When I set up to photograph I found one of my eyeglass lens was missing. I searched the trail and car and couldn’t find it. I was returning to town hoping to replace it and as I approached the first place I stopped something on the road was glistening in the sunlight. I stopped and got out and couldn’t believe it but it was the lens I lost. Thirty-six miles and I found a two inch piece of glass on a dirt road with the sun in just the right angle to the lens to my eye in a moving car.
Neither of the photographs at those spots were particularly impressive but the “events“ are lasting memories.
On most trips I do find time for serious photography as well.

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[Alan Edward Klein]

I finally went on my lifetime trip in 2018 with my wife to see the southwest parks. See the road trip link for Google Maps. It was over 16 days, so it might be too long for you, although we stayed in artsy Santa Fe first for 3 days and then rested for 3 days at the end in Sedona. You can skip those stays, although the relaxing was worth it, and the sites were pretty nice as well.

We also stayed in motels along the way in Monument Valley, Moab, Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon, and did day trips to see the sites by car. We don't like to walk, and there was plenty to see at the nearby car parking spots.

Monument Valley allows a 13-mile valley drive that takes you around all the monuments. It's free if you stay at the motel, which I recommend because the room balcony views are terrific, breakfast is great, and they have a great Navajo Museum, as the hotel is owned by them.

Google maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vpjd6zccgNgjZrP29
Some pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanklein2000/albums/72157694819890421/

 

[jeffreyg]

I’m not sure of your age but if old enough if you don’t already have one you can get a pass from the park service that provides for free admission to all national parks for free after paying for the pass. It’s good for the vehicle so others with you are covered and it’s effective for life. When I got mine it was $15 but that was twenty years ago.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I’m not sure of your age but if old enough if you don’t already have one you can get a pass from the park service that provides for free admission to all national parks for free after paying for the pass. It’s good for the vehicle so others with you are covered and it’s effective for life. When I got mine it was $15 but that was twenty years ago.

If you're under 62, you can get a lifetime pass for a set fee that covers all national parks. There are various options including for vets, seniors, etc.

Entrance Passes (U.S. National Park Service)

The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, covering entrance, standard amenity, and day-use fees.

home.nps.gov