<snip> (Gates of the Artic)

"Considering this is a National Park, this may be one of the best places for people to get away from everything and everyone and enjoy the views in the footsteps of those who came 12,000 years before."

"Warning
There are no resources inside the park. Leave an itinerary with someone, have a printed map, and bring plenty of extra supplies. This is a truly isolated location."

Given that write up I'll ask the obvious question...

Why a picture that shows 9 tents on top of each other? And aren't tent pads a resource?

Having said that the scenery is spectacular.

Big Bend and Great Basin are two parks that I see on a lot of "hidden treasures" lists. Both are large, airid, mountainous, and remote. Isle Royale and North Cascades are two others. They are the least visited parks outside of AK because they are hard to get to. I've been to IR and hope to get back this summer.

I'm glad that I got my senior, lifetime, national park pass while they were still free.

I think mine was $80. Still a bargain.

I got my wife's at the old rate but couldn't get mine until the year they went up to $80. Still a bargain

I was Sabino Canyon in Tucson a few years ago which has a $5 parking fee. I went to pay the fee, the Ranger looked at me and asked my age, and told me I could get a lifetime America the Beautiful pass for $10 (this was just before the price increase). I asked, so I can park here once for $5 or pay $10 and it's forever? She replied, not exactly. You can park ANYWHERE the rest of your life for $10 -- not just here. Talk about a no brainer decision!

I also have the Ga State Parks pass. State Parks also have a $5 parking fee, so my annual fee fee of $25 (which is half of what youngsters pay) takes care of that. I probably break even with that, but I avoid the hassle of making sure I have exactly $5 in cash and filling out the cash envelope before going to one of the Parks.

I was carded twice that day. Once to get my park pass, to prove I was old enough, and that evening to buy a bottle of wine at a local store where I had to prove I was old enough. Of course the young lady working the cash register didn't look older than 16.

I paid for mine this summer in Death Valley. Pretty much paid for itself right away.
I was bummed that it was no longer called 'The Golden Eagle Pass.'
I wanted to be a Golden Eagle!

Easy. Take an online adult ed class from either Marquette or Southern Mississippi. Choose the school that has the best t-shirt.

The owner of my local brew pub told me that once I retire, he will my my Mug Club membership good for life. Yet another deal to look forward to next year.