National Parks In The Off-Season Plus Best Wellness Resorts

Which national parks offer a great experience during the "off-season." This article in viamagazine.com recommends Zion, Yellowstone and Olympic National Park. Here are a couple excerpts:

Want a national park all to yourself? Cooler weather signals the best time of year for quiet views and wide-open trails at three off-peak favorites.

(Zion:) The easy Riverside Walk follows the bank of the Virgin River for a mile into the narrowing canyon beyond the end of the road. Here cottonwoods and bigtooth maples flicker with autumn colors that almost match the hues of lichens on the sheer sandstone walls.

(Yellowstone:) By mid-December, snowmobiles and snow coaches return to other roads in the park, including the sections that connect West Yellowstone, Mont., and Mammoth Hot Springs to Old Faithful. Visitors quickly discover that Yellowstone is very much alive as winter sets in. Eagles and ravens ride the air, and wolf packs prowl.

In my opinion, "off-season" is not an accurate label for the coming season. I love fall and winter in the parks. For many activities, these are the best seasons.

More Accolades For Red Mountain Resort
Last week we reported that Red Mountain Resort made a key list of "most relaxing" resorts. Now theactivetimes.com puts Red Mountain on its list of the 12 best wellness resorts in the world. That's right, in the world!

The 12 resorts on the list include:

• Ananda in the Himalayas - India
  
• Miraval Resort - Tucson
  
• COMO Shambhala Estate - Bali
  
• Kalon Surf School - Dominical, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
  
• Canyon Ranch Resort - Tucson
  
• Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa - Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia
  
• Red Mountain Resort - Ivins, Utah
  
• Omega Institute - Rhinebeck, N.Y.
  
• Rancho La Puerta - Tecate, Mexico
  
• Spirit Rock - Woodacre, Calif
  
• Maya Tulum - Tulum, Mexico
  
• Tenya Lodge Yosemite - Fish Camp, Calif.
  

- Dave Webb