Mark Twain once said that Lake Tahoe is
“ the fairest picture the whole earth affords .”
Everyone knows about Niagara Falls . If you ’ ve never visited the park , you ’ re likely to have at least heard of it . Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States , with establishment as a reservation being in 1885 . Located in Niagara County , New York , the park takes up over 400 acres , and just over a quarter of that acreage is underwater . Over 3,000 tons of water flows over the falls every second . The park is open 24 hours a day , all year long . There is a Discovery Pass that will save you some money , especially if you ’ re wanting to check out all of the attractions in the park . There are interactive portions of the park , like the Adventure Theater and the Cave of the Winds . Along with those , there is also an aquarium , fireworks , and illuminations . If you ’ re interested in getting up close and personal with the falls themselves , take a Maid of the Mist boat tour . Available on both the U . S . and Canada sides , this 5-hour tour will take you through several famous attractions within the park , including Bridal Veil Falls , American Falls , and Horseshoe Falls . Since 1846 , visitors have been enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the Maid of the Mist boats . Before the suspension bridge was constructed , the ferry boats were the only way to get across these strong waters . For just under $ 20 per adult , you get to experience the power of the mighty Niagara just as the first settlers did in the early 1800s . Bundle yourself up in a rain coat and be prepared to experience the strong gusts of wind and water that come with being this close to the largest falls in North America .
Mark Twain once said that Lake Tahoe is “ the fairest picture the whole earth affords .” It is easy to agree with Twain , especially after visiting Emerald Bay State Park . Located in El Dorado County , California , Emerald Bay encompasses over 1,500 acres of some of the most pristine wilderness in the west . The bay itself is nearly two miles long , and just under a mile wide . Summer is the best time to visit the park , with mild temperatures averaging around 70 degrees during the day . Emerald Bay is registered as a National Natural Landmark , and the bay hosts the only island on Lake Tahoe . On the shore , you ’ ll see Vikingsholm , a 38-room mansion that was built in 1929 , and is a prime example of the finest Scandinavian architecture . The striking blue-green color of the water is breathtaking , and the surrounding trees frame the bay and highlight the horizon , securing this little slice of natural heaven .
Set in the Colorado Desert in southern California , the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in Colorado , and one of the largest in the country . The park adopted its name from a Spanish explorer , Juan Bautista de Anza . The word Borrego is Spanish for “ bighorn sheep .” The desert bighorn sheep that roam the lands within the park are now endangered , and wary of visitors , so you may not see one while visiting , but if you do , consider yourself lucky . Along with the sheep , many other animals call this park home , such as desert iguanas , red-diamond rattlesnakes , coyotes , golden eagles , and chuckwallas , a species of large lizard that is only found in the hottest and most humid of regions . With areas spanning over 500,000 acres , the Anza-Borrego State Park offers inspiring scenery as far as the eye can see .