Winemaking dates to the 1800s, but the modern industry was resurrected in the 1980s. Two hours south, near Sedona, another hiking haven amidst sublime scenery, sits Verde Valley. The two-billion-year-old layered red sedimentary rock is peppered with pines, spruces and firs. Lookout points at Navajo Point and Desert View Drive swell with crowds, but for good reason. However, a photo of the winding Colorado River from the South Rim is far easier to land. With upwards of six million visitors each year, reservations for the vast gorge’s lodges and cabins are booked up to a year in advance. Grand Canyon National Park is a showstopper of the American Southwest. Grand Canyon National Park Arizona Grand Canyon National Park / Photo by Michael DeYoung via Getty There’s a clutch of wineries along River Road, with Hahn Family Wines near the south, and Wrath Wines further north. Wine lovers can tackle the 5.3-mile hike from Condor Gulch to High Peaks in the morning, followed by lunchtime sips in the Santa Lucia Highlands. All highlight diverse wildlife, from hummingbirds and condors to salamanders and mountain lions. Hikers and cavers test their athleticism and nerve on challenging terrain, though there are also easier hikes for the less ambitious. More than 23 million years ago, volcanos and shifting tectonic plates created the unique Talus caves and rock formations, or pinnacles. Much like the ancient soils that nurture nearby Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines, the park’s landscape was born of geological upheaval. Not only does it serve around 200,000 visitors a year, Pinnacles neighbors the beautiful coastal town of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Central Coast wine regions in Monterey County. At the northern end of the park, RdV Vineyards sets a benchmark for Virginia wine with its Cabernet blend, allocated only to members of its reserve list.įrom New York to Virginia, Four Cab Franc Producers You Should Know Pinnacles National Park California Wrath Wines, San Saba Vineyard / Courtesy Wrath WinesĪs throngs fight for reservations to Yosemite, in-the-know travelers go to Pinnacles National Park. Though he failed to make fine wine, wineries like King Family Vineyards, Stinson Vineyards, Barboursville and Veritas produce Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Viognier and red blends in the Monticello AVA. History buffs might want to stop at nearby Manassas National Battlefield Park, site of a devastating 1861 Civil War clash.Īt the southern end of the park lies Charlottesville, in Albemarle County, the pastoral area that Thomas Jefferson called home. Well-marked trails offer hikes through woodland valleys and across streams. About 75 miles from Washington D.C., the centerpiece of the 200,000-acre park is the 105-mile Skyline Drive that features dramatic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains around every turn. Shenandoah, which teems with vistas, wildlife and waterfalls, attracts around 1.5 million visitors per year.
Shenandoah National Park Virginia Barboursville Vineyards, Virginia / Courtesy of Barboursville The town of Las Cruces serves as a jumping-off point to explore local wineries like Lescombes Winery, Rio Grande Winery, La Viña Winery and Luna Rossa Winery.
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Straddling the Rio Grande River, the climate supports the production of rich reds from varieties like Zinfandel, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, plus a bit of Tempranillo. As its name implies, the park’s gypsum sand shimmers enough to mimic snowy dunes.īright and dry days help vines flourish in nearby Mesilla Valley, New Mexico’s smallest American Viticultural Area (AVA). Prefer a less crowded park experience? While four million people trek to Yosemite each year, White Sands National Park receives just 600,000 visitors across 275 square miles of desert.
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How to Camp Through Wine Country White Sands National Park New Mexico