USA National Parks - Part 2 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Arizona

There are so many entrances to this "massive hole in the ground" as some people call it. The Grand Canyon was named a national monument 11 years before it became a national park in 1919. Some people enjoy walking the 'rim to rim' trail, which is 24 miles long. Some people have even challenged themselves with the 'rim to rim to rim' trail. You are allowed to backpack at the bottom of the canyon also, but you will need a permit to do so.

One of my favorite spots to overlook the canyon is Toroweap Overlook. Plan on having good 4WD tires to go 68 miles on dirt roads. The end of the road is a breathtaking view into the canyon and looking down to the Colorado River below.

Answer: Arizona

The first time I entered into Petrified Forest NP I was not impressed. It took me a few more times to really enjoy the beauty of the entire park that was made a national park in 1962.

When you drive through, make sure you stop at all the sights in the park. Newspaper Rock is filled with petroglyphs from years back. Take the small hike to the area. You also want to see and get pictures of the painted desert. The colors of the rocks make you feel like you are looking at the Badlands NP in South Dakota.

Now, if you do find petrified wood, do not pick it up and take it home. Not only will it bring you bad luck but the next person would not be able to view the rocks. Many people have taken so much home that the park is seeing less and less wood all the time.

One last comment would be to make sure that you follow Route 66 before or after the park and stand on the "Corner of Winslow, Arizona..." and get your kicks, only one hour down the street.

Answer: Arizona

There are cacti and there are really big cacti! At Saguaro National Park you will be seeing really big cacti! The park was established in 1994 and was a monument previously in 1933.

In southern Arizona you can drive through the roads with cactus as old as 250 years. There are two areas in this park, the Rincon Mountain and the Tucson Mountain areas. I have been to both and they are both beautiful drives. Make sure that you drive through as the sun is setting. There's nothing like an Arizona sunset with a saguaro cactus in the back.

Answer: Florida

Want to see an alligator? This is your chance in Everglades National Park. There are even spots to camp and set up tents. Not my cup of tea that close to a gator, but it's an option. Everglades became a national park in 1934 and have had over one million visitors since that date.

One day is not enough time to visit this park. There are a lot of adventures that you could do here. You could take a boat ride through the area. You could even take an airboat tour as you slush through the swamp land. My personal favorite is to go to Shark Valley and take the bike ride. You will be getting some exercise but you may be pedaling right past a massive gator. Do not stop and take a selfie! Always be very alert on your surroundings. Don't sit on the dock dangling your legs and don't walk without looking down. I'm giving you a lot of "don't" but do go and enjoy!

Answer: Florida

This is another one of my favorite national parks. It's one of the hardest parks to get to, though. You either take a boat ride or a sea plane to this place that was founded by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513. The area became a national park in 1935.

After about two hours on the boat you'll see a fort on one of the islands. There are seven little islands and some are barely seen underwater. Fort Jefferson was fun to walk through and around. The fort is a national monument and built in 1847. I loved the walkways outside of the fort. They made for fun pictures too. The water is a beautiful blue coloring and the sand is so white. Make sure that you wear a strong red to really set off the picture.

Answer: Florida

Biscayne is right along the Atlantic Ocean and the mangrove trees are protected not only by the national park service, but they protect the coral and reefs around the park as well. The park was established in 1980 and is just north of the Florida keys. You can walk on the boardwalk around the area. You could also take a tour on one of the many boat tours in the park.

The last time I was in the area they were fixing it up. It's a small area to tour but I'm hoping they would increase the size and let you snorkel around the area. Snorkeling is not allowed, but hopefully one day it will be an option to see underwater in this beautiful area.

Answer: Texas

When you hear the word "Texas" you think of 'big'. Big Bend is very large. The park was established in 1944, during WW2. The park is actually just on the Mexican border. One side of the Rio Grande is the USA and the other side is Mexico and the stream in the middle is not very wide. Don't think about crossing over, there are numerous patrols watching the river for over 100 miles!

You can hike, kayak or just relax along the shores of the river in this national park. It's also very dark and easy to see the entire skies on moonless nights. This is not the place you really want to visit in the summer time since it's the southern part of the United States. I would suggest going November to March for the perfect weather.

Answer: Texas

Did you say that you wanted to hike the highest point of Texas? Then you need to visit Guadalupe Mountains. One of my favorite all time hikes was the Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet above sea level. This is not the only peak or hike in the mountains, but the majority of the people want 'that' peak.

The park was established in 1972 and has plenty of beauty in the area. There are museums and you can also take a guided tour with the visitor center host. They have a cabin by the visitor center and you can spot sand dunes nearby also. When you swing by this park, you'll want to head a little north to the next beautiful national park too, in New Mexico.

Answer: New Mexico

Carlsbad is just about an hour north of Guadalupe NP in Texas. The caverns are absolutely beautiful. You need to get your tickets to see the inside of the breathtaking caves. The caverns were made a national park in 1995. There are so many rooms inside the caves. One of my favorites was the King's Palace, which looks like a large castle in the middle of the room. You can't have a king's room unless you have a queen's room, so the Queen's Chamber is even more breathtaking.

After you have admired the inside of the caves, come to the opening in the back and watch the bats fly out at dusk. Thousands and thousands will zoom out of the cave every night and return before sunrise. I literally sat there watching them for at least 20 minutes, non stop!

Even though there are over 100 caves, you can only go through a small handful. They are constantly looking for new rooms and chambers in the massive caves.

Answer: New Mexico

You've finally found my favorite national park. The first time I visited White Sands, it was a national monument but changed to a national park in 2019. I again returned to my favorite park. What I love about the park is the crisp clean white sand. Drive all the way to the very back of the park where you can't see anything but white. Wear bright red or blue clothing and just enjoy the pictures of the natural beauty. Blue skies, white sands and a red shirt make amazing pictures!

Next you want to grab a large trash bag or sled and head to the top of the dunes and zoom down acting like a child, laughing and having fun. Some people camp here and it's allowed, but I have never been interested in the hot desert camping here.