Robert Cross

WHEN TO VISIT Winter fights the prevailing torrid climate to a standstill, bringing tolerable daytime temperatures down into the 60s and 70s. Summer temperatures can reach 115 degrees in the...

Saguaro West: 1. Hohokam Road (Bajada Loop Drive). This allows motorists a quick peek into the abundance of cactuses that characterizes both sides of the park. 2. Signal Hill. A...

Established as a national park: Oct. 21, 1994. Area: 91,327 acres. Visitors: 3 million (estimated) in 1997. Location: In two sections, West and East, on either side of Tucson, about...

1. Shenandoah Valley Overlook. This gives visitors arriving from the north a preview of what's in store -- several sweeping views of the Shenandoah River Valley and the Piedmont expanse....

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, Va.-- A turkey vulture suddenly rose from the middle of Skyline Drive, about 20 feet from my front bumper. The creature was cutting it pretty close, obviously...

Established as a national park: Dec. 26, 1935. Area: 196,466 acres. Visitors: 1,598,752 in 1997. Location: Northern Virginia, approximately 75 miles west of Washington, D.C., at the northern end and...

GETTING THERE Most major airlines schedule regular flights to Washington and Richmond. Round-trip fares under $300 --and perhaps considerably less -- should be available, depending on various booking deadlines and...

1. Hosmer Grove. This first stop on the highway to the summit is thick with trees from temperate zones -- cedar, fir, Australian eucalyptus, pine, cypress. . . . The...

Even a brief exploration of the park reveals the process of volcanic mountain building -- from lava flow to a soaring peak on Hawaii's youngest, and largest, island 1. Pu`u...

Established as a national park: Aug. 1, 1916, as part of Hawaii National Park; redesignated as Hawaii Volcanoes Sept. 22, 1961. Area: 230,000 acres. Visitors: 2,476,710 in 1996. Location: Southeastern...