America's Western National Parks

Happy National Park Week! “Western National Parks” is the fourth in our Armchair Traveler Series of our best blu-ray feature films. Available on blu-ray at finleyholiday.com.
Join National Park ranger Shelton Johnson in this one-hour exploration of 28 Western National Parks as he shares his impressions on what make these places so special - the scenery, wolves, grizzly bears, condors, Native American heritage, nights skies and much more.
Available on Blu-ray and DVD from Finley Holiday Films at tinyurl.com/yboh3dh8
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Finley Holiday Productions
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[@davidwellen830]

I am 75 years old and have visited every one of these parks in my lifetime. I have returned with my parents, my kids, and grandkids. It makes me very sad that all the parks have become so over crowded that you need reservations just to enter some of them. This video makes a virtual visit possible and is probably the best video ever made. Excellent narration throughout. Thank you very much for what may be my last visit to each of these places. I am forever grateful to the countries leaders who had the forethought to set each of these places aside for protection so they are here for generations to come. A great and proud, truly American thing to do! It is shameful that mankind cannot spend more time enjoying places like this and less time fighting senseless wars. Thank you for a very enjoyable video !

[@skaycgoldenridge]

Sir, I agree with you on this. The parks are, indeed, over crowded and I am saddened that reservations are now needed.

[@ngairewest8442]

I'm a little confused. You say mankind should spend more time enjoying them but then complain that it's too busy that you have to make reservations??

[@ngairewest8442]

@@skaycgoldenridge What I do get is your wonderfully rude response. I guess my point was that he said more of mankind should enjoy it and they must be if it's booked out 6 months in advance!! That's crazy and understandably frustrating. I'm truly sorry I upset you so. Have a great day and take care ❤

[@jennyc1846]

You are so lucky to have seen all of these national parks David and your family too. I live in Australia and am now in my 70's also and I know I will never see any of them ever...so enjoy on my behalf.

[@oldblood_eyes]

as someone who visited yosemite back during covid when we needed reservations, i am honestly happy about the reservations coming back next year for yosemite. having reservations really limited the amount of people that are there and allowed us to really enjoy the park. not just see seas of cars, people and more of the beautiful nature and HEAR more of the nature; not just humans and cars. it was amazing!

[@evenandmiriam3550]

All I can say is WOW!!

[@danielabato8015]

Gods bless America and Glod bless our park rangers

[@finleyholiday]

Amen!

[@bisiilki]

That USNPS guy talking in more philosophy ways was really great!

[@aaronbrooks7132]

My dad took me all over these parks I miss him passed 30 years ago when I was 19. I'll always remember the times we were able to travel, he showed me the beauty of America.

[@myrootsgraspNewsoil]

My soul can’t stop watching and listening to this. I must experience this before I die. I’m in the process of converting my SUV into a camper now and about to begin my journey soon.

[@PM-tc6sl]

Bon voyage!

[@MsEKN]

Prepared to be awed!

[@jessewru6425]

Take a whole lotta safety gadgets, be prepared for anything good and bad.

[@steviejd5803]

How’s it going? I hope you have set off to enjoy these parks. We go two or three times a year, all the way from England. Nothing like these parks, utterly magnificent.

[@johnwilliams640]

The West is the best. I live down South and there is nothing beautiful down here. I've been out West and believe me its absolutely beautiful out West. Excellent video..

[@richq1318]

I live in the south too and I agree. Not much to marvel about here.

[@GratefulOverlander]

Grouping the "west" as a geographical area is ignorant! The "west" has vast terrains

[@stephensporck494]

I do not agree, the south has Great Smokie Mountain, Mammoth Cave, Acadia National park, the whole Appalacian mountaln range, and lets not forget the Everglades and Big Cypress, all are very beautiful, just as beautiful as any parks and wildlife parks

[@lizhall2961]

Ever seen the Smokies?

[@jerrymclamb82]

i will take the american east coast anyday over the west coast!

[@MsEKN]

In my opinion the National Parks system is one the greatest attributes of our country. We might disagree on practically everything else but I think most Americans share a strong sense of pride and appreciation for the natural beauty of this country. It’s our responsibility to protect and preserve what was here before us.

[@CyanBlackflower]

Well said. I totally agree with your apparent respect & appreciation for the importance and beauty of the Natural World, and what reserves we have in the National Parks & Monuments. As for most of us sharing a strong sense of that - I so very much certainly hope so. I feel it is vitally important. Our very future survival may very well depend on it.

[@yves6180]

Except Donald Trump. He has the project to destroy many parks to establish industries

[@Freemarkets1236]

To anyone watching who has never been to one of these parks, all I can say is make it a priority in you life to visit a least one. You'll never regret it, only regret not going before. For me it was life changing. Like feel like a child going to Disney every time I go to one of these parks.

[@finleyholiday]

Couldn't agree with you more! Thanks for watching.

[@GratefulOverlander]

Yeah people...go to Yellowstone right now!

[@elaineboyden110]

L

[@ashlysinfoandmusic8209]

Mesa Verdi, Cliff Dwellings! 💕

[@rebaeasler]

I have visited Grand canyon .and all of Tennessee parks.and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. The lost sea, Smokey mountains is great.

[@stephanierouleau591]

I have watched many series about the National Parks and Shelton Johnson brings them to life like no one else can. His descriptions transport me there every time.

[@shannontatum5616]

Shelton Johnson is a national treasure.

[@finleyholiday]

That is so true

[@WildGoose007]

It's cool to see Don Cheadle working for our national forests

[@juliecook6057]

👍😂

[@Chenrelaxingmusic1]

I don't know who needs to read this but we are all going through tough and difficult times, Don't give up. You are here for a reason. You matter. Just don't give up whatever you're going through. I love you.

[@JonesGermanni]

the one ranger speaks poetically

[@drone_boss]

That is a great Ranger! He gets excited about his job!

[@finleyholiday]

Ranger Shelton is one of the best when it comes to interpretation. It was an honor to have him be a part of of our film.

[@jeffhoward553]

Two parks I would say is a must would be Yosemite national park and Yellowstone

[@janettetippetts7942]

So beautiful! Lucky me got to grow up at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Now I'm in Oregon and love living in a natural treed area only 50 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Got to go out there with grandkids the other day and we had a great time. Nature is gorgeous - What a wonderful world.

[@rosebudadkins6803]

We enjoy Three Sisters. Take our dogs. We are in Eastern Washington state. Close to Yakama Res. My reservation is in SD. I sweat, powwow and do ceremony with them.

[@CyanBlackflower]

Nice! You too R. Adkins. I live on Vancouver Island. No complaints. If I did live in the U.S. - It would be my preference to live in Oregon.

[@sakinastraveldiary4562]

My dream is to meet Mr. Shelton Johnson one day in one of these national parks.

[@nancycronin601]

How wonderful that you made this available while we are all confined to our homes. A fun surprise.

[@finleyholiday]

Thanks Nancy. Glad you enjoyed it. The West really is full of amazing landscapes. We can’t get wait until the travel ban ends and we can get out there and film again.

[@seattlebeard]

Shelton Johnson sure is nice to look at. :o)

[@zulymaritzacalixflores3906]

Just gorgeous documentary!!! I've been dreaming of a Western visit trip, .......none of my friends & relatives dare, .... I do,........one day!!!!! Shalom!!!! ❤

[@finleyholiday]

Thank you! It was as much of a joy to film as it was to watch!

[@d.l.l.6578]

Shelton Johnson has a lot of very insightful observations.

[@anitageorge6089]

THANK YOU!

[@grimempathy7543]

One thing America did right was our national parks. Not many places on earth can match them in pure beauty. If not the prettiest on earth. Yeah some places have spots but the American parks are 100's of miles of nothing but beauty.

[@barbararomero3088]

America the beautiful Praise God!

[@copiouscookies00]

So many beautiful places, to see them all is a dream I hope to accomplish!

[@user-dx6lq9wq8k]

Fantastic vision, the footage is amazing.. Some very nice footage. Thanks! Greatly enjoyed watching!.

[@rosemarymurphy1295]

I was raised in Port Angeles, Wash., up against the Olympic National Park! What a blessing! Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful, jagged mountains, Like Grand Tetons, been there as well I lived in Estes Park , Wow! I've been to Glacier NP, Yellowstone NP as well. Our nation is blessed beyond measure...and, i have been too. 😊👍💕 If you get the opportunity to visit even one National Park...be sure to go. Even visiting/viewing just ONE, you are blessed 😊💕 Thank you for the memories...and, sharing other places i have not visited 🙂

[@afsal9378]

Thank you for this video,west has it's unique beauty, always love

[@kevinkitchen3351]

Fantastic vision, the footage is amazing.

[@tombohley3265]

Amazing video with remarkable insights from Shelton Johnson and his fellow rangers. Mr. Johnson’s commentary inspired me to purchase his book, “Gloryland”, a historical novel incorporating the awe and history of the National parks as viewed through the eyes of a buffalo soldier in the 1870’s.

[@ritaanderson2649]

Thks 4Sharing. A lot of history here much better

[@leikilimaile2565]

It will continue to change that’s what the earth does, we’re just along for the ride

[@Cactus521]

In 2013 I took a month long solo driving tour of many of the Western National parks, from the Grand Canyon north to Glacier (including Monument Valley and both the south and north rim), and also Olympic National Park and Nevada's often overlooked Great Basin National Park and I added Silver Falls State Park just east of Salem Oregon. I went to Silver Falls because of a recommendation someone gave me while I was at Yellowstone. I made up my itinerary as I went along but generally followed a south to north route, then south and finally west from Grand Teton to Silver Falls. I included Bryce and Zion national parks. I almost had to skip Zion--a rare August severe rainstorm hit and caused massive flooding and rock slides in the park, and I was stuck at the eastern entrance to the tunnel as I traveled between Bryce and Zion. The park rangers told me the storm was epic, a 100 year flood event, and there were still large boulders on the main road. I was stuck at the tunnel for almost two hours, had to wait until the next morning to take the tram tour of Zion, as a mist was still falling, but then the sun came out. I saw Capitol Reef NP in 1999 in Utah, Yosemite in '89, and Crater Lake last in '94, and often went to Redwood Natl park, once a California Native.

[@TruthAboutHeaven]

Some very nice footage. Thanks! Greatly enjoyed watching!

[@ponyrang]

Wow, My best friend, Thank you for your hard work in making the video. I enjoyed the good video. Have a happy day.

[@pieteri.duplessis]

Beautiful, majestic, I love it. Seeing beautiful natural scenes I, at times find intoxicating, I can't see enough. This video was beautiful and so well pirated, all the way. Well done.

[@thomasjgrihorash5312]

Beautiful N I Thank YOUS GOD BLESS US

[@sandraburke1258]

IN 1976 I WANTED TO TAKE THE 3 DAY MULE TRIP ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE NORTH RIM OF GRAND CANYON THE COST WAS $20. Unfortunately my Husband at the time was too frightened to do it, never marry a bankers son when you love nature.. Since then I've made 2 trips back to the canyon, 1 as my parents driver 2004 of the last vacation they ever took they were amazed and said why had they never traveled west before they were 73 & 76 years old. Then one on a return trip 1994 of a Pop Warner 2 hour National Football Game held in Northern California, driving from SW Florida to California and back to Florida with a stop in Ky to spend a night with my brother, 3 years later I & children moved to ky.. They won the National Game, my son was 12 years old, their team was called the "Bandits", driving 6,783 miles in 12 days with children 11,12,13,15 years old in mid-December, I had no time or money left to ride the mule. Maybe next time when I get rich, hopefully I won't run out of time, my age door is closing I'd love to take my Grandsons I'm raising 10,14,17. Truthfully, I'd love to take all 10 Grandsons and 1 granddaughter ages 9-17 & 1 almost 4 years old, it would make it the 4th generation journey to the beauty of the Great Grand Canyons.

[@theheartoftexas]

Good Luck Sandra! I hope you make it!!!

[@juliecook6057]

I think we ALL just got a COMPLETE family TREE and family history from this lovely Grandma !! Hilarious and beautiful !! Cheers and love from Brisbane Queensland Australia 🇦🇺💞😎🌟🌈

[@andrewdaley3081]

Less than seven dollars a day what a bargain. 🇬🇧👍

[@belspace]

Thank you for sharing !

[@melindabendle288]

WORLD WIDE THANK YOU VERY MUCH I HAVE ALWAYS VISITED OCEANS UP AND DOWN CALIFORNIA BEUTIFAL AND WONDERFUL YAHOO XOXO MELINDA SMILE 😊🇺🇸🌏🌎🇺🇸🐬🐠🐳

[@jimsage1043]

1975 my friend and I hopped in my Camaro and took I-75 south to I-70 west and didn't stop much until Denver. We turned around after looking at Delicate Arch, had to work in two days. Since then I go somewhere out there at least every three years or so. So much scenic beauty everywhere in the mountains and deserts of the west!

[@donhagerty5669]

The very vintage footage of Mount Lassen erupting was worth watching the video in itself 🐘🐘🐘

[@MaximRedin]

I like your video, so it help me to imagine as if i am travelling at those picturesque, magnificent places. Such scenic views out there. I'd like to visit those spectacular parks one day... Btw I am watching you from Russia

[@NaturalLandscape4K]

so beautiful

[@danielchannel8260]

Thank you for the beautiful and relaxing video 😌🎶🎵👏🏻Have a wonderful day 😊

[@xx_blasphemer_xx8148]

Literally all of these places fill me with awe and I get quite emotional when seeing them let alone actually being there! The passion of the first ranger I have to say is so touching and I can hear the emotion in his voice, Id be the same if I had the privilege of working in places like this. I hope to one day at least get to one of them, I'm fascinated by Native American Indian cultures and I'd love to go to the red wood forests or Yosemite the most. It makes me very happy to know that even in eras of great destruction and greed that some places have at least been protected, its deeply saddening to know that they could of been swallowed up by development or human 'progression'. Its so important to protect them for the health of this planet and I feel a deep connection to the natural world and especially these places even tho I've never been but maybe.... just maybe one day

[@finleyholiday]

Well said. It is indeed scary to know what would have become of some of these places had they not been set aside. I am very thankful that we as a nation have devoted the resources to protect this amazing diversity of parklands.

[@GratefulOverlander]

Bullshit! And I say that because working as a ranger requires schooling and work to get there! It's not just a priviledge, its earned 100% and you could have done the same, but you didnt

[@xx_blasphemer_xx8148]

@@GratefulOverlander alright 😂 who pissed on ur bonfire? Why so aggressive?. Classic KZbin turning a completely passive comment into a huge deal 😂 I meant a privilege as in ur lucky not like privilege as in like being born into it or wotever. Also not everyone instantly knows wot they want to do with their life or how to to get there, u might do but that's not everyone else is it?

[@jennifer7797]

Very poor audio.i have struggled throughout the video to try to hear what's being said. Most of it I do not know what was said. You should redo it with better audio.

[@ellafields9424]

@@jennifer7797 turn on cc however that somewhat spoils the view.

[@200fpsASH]

The park rangers are so down to earth! Ya!🌎⚖️🌐♎

[@kimmillynn2161]

I didn’t know Denzel Washington knew so much about the national parks ❤️

[@Me-xj6wx]

Yes 🙌 get this man a white woman!

[@stephaniemiller5165]

Exodus playing in the background was perfect.

[@gladstone6338]

I am lucky enough to have visited some of these places and they will remain with me always. Seeing this majesty in person is just too spectacular for words and I encourage everyone who can to do so.

[@dise6692]

I wish my guide was this guard…sounds like a teacher…very well informed and knowledgeable….

[@finleyholiday]

Yes, Shelton is the best, isn’t he.

[@pimeshpjp7057]

Very nice beautiful vlog. Thanks you

[@ritakarlsson]

Amazing🙂👍

[@ericknabenshue5689]

A place filled with petroglyph I never hear mentioned much is the kabilib national forest norther Arizona. I spent a week there. Going off the trails. Almost every flat rock surfaces had them. Unfortunately the ones close to the road were vandalised.

[@finleyholiday]

Beautiful area! Unfortunately, petroglyph vandalism is a growing problem. Such disrepect for the land and the native american culture. Here is a recent video we produced on the subject. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5jUZn2fZ6aknKc

[@GratefulOverlander]

There is no such place in Az.there is the Kaibab National Forest

[@ericknabenshue5689]

@@GratefulOverlander typo thank you for that correction

[@leolonjose2334]

Wow I just love the great outdoors 😍😍🥰

[@teddygellos8776]

Great video !

[@ronberry3071]

Even had Grand Funk Railroad in the mix!

[@curtcoller3632]

Beautiful images! Worth watching.

[@DarisLaurinsX]

Kind of makes me want to go on a roadtrip lol

[@DianesPaperArt]

This video filled me with great emotion watching it. So well scripited and beautiful photography. I had to share on my Facebook page, hoping friends will watch it. I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit a few of these stunning National Parks. I have taken my children to visit some of them. They were so inspired they have gone back on their own to visit again. I hope to visit them all before I pass. Currently 64, after hubby retires we plan to take a little trailer and travel. Thank you for this.

[@robertweldon7909]

There are many great comments posted here, but we must remember that these parks were created to prevent exploitation by profiteers, If left unprotected these wonder would have long ago been destroyed. I've managed to visit several of the parks mentioned here, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier, and the Bad Lands. As others have said; "If you have never visited ANY of our national parks, make an effort to visit a few". No matter where you live, you are within a day's drive of a national park, and can be visited over a long weekend. WE have to be vigilant concerning these places, otherwise they may go the way of Lake mead and Lake Powel, which destroyed parts of the Grand Canyon. Parks, like Yellowstone are becoming commercialized, taking away from their original intent, preservation forever. ;-)

[@martinjdesmond]

Very informative video

[@arturasstatkus8613]

Nices't place in the world👍👍👍👍👍

[@stevescott8060]

I first saw Yosemite by Rail Freight. Off season and cold, snow, and wonder , absolutely magnificent, does not describe in mere words the beauty of that area of the world. And No, Please pay attention to the Bigfoot , I mean bear warning signs.

[@annaolivarez2578]

Maybe one day I’ll be able to visit a park and see a glacier, and it’s awesome that so many have viewed glacier/s, but if I don’t see a glacier “with my own eyes”, I think I’ll be able to live my life.

[@eddiequest4]

At 60, I'm glad I was able to see some of these wonderful parks. But I'm torn apart by climate change, and what will happen to all of these places. The rock will remain. But the life is burning up, and drifting away in the wind. For those who haven't seen these lands, GO SOON.

[@vandalnonesuch8274]

The best thing the Hayden Expedition of 1871 to the Yellowstone Valley did was to include in their party, an artist and a photographer to document, in different forms, what the area looked like AND what it encompassed! Without those images shown to Congress, it's a guess as to what would have resulted! The exploiters might have ruined it and the park concept might have withered on the vine, so to speak.The whole world might have been a lesser place!

[@finleyholiday]

So true!

[@user-jf6tn6sw1f]

I love Amarica isbeutiful country ❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@user-be8wr4jj1q]

Супер парк мира видео фантастик ! ! ! 😎😋😀🙂

[@rebeccaharp3254]

You were there. I can tell from your descriptions.

[@ryanshuell]

When the glaciers of Glacier National Park are gone, and they will be if things continue as they are on the current trajectory, the name of the park will not change because it's glaciers that sculpted the entire place. That will never change. That's permanent.

[@jlcastillo962]

Among the greatest western National Parks is Big Bend in West Texas. Geographically and historically part of the American western landscape. Don’t understand why it was excluded?

[@vandalnonesuch8274]

Having been there, I'd agree! Also, I wish they'd included Guadalupe Mountains NP - it's most impressive!

[@GratefulOverlander]

We dont consider Texas to be in the west! Most of the nation doesnt

[@farstrider4592]

There were other National Parks definitely in the West that were excluded for some reason. North Cascades, Mt. Rainier, Joshua Tree among others. 🤷‍♂️

[@hikerJohn]

Don't worry, the glaciers will return . . . in the thousand years or ten thousand year but they come and they go . . . If we live before the glaciers we would be weeping over their coming.

[@annaolivarez2578]

Yes, the western scenery has been celebrated in books, in movies, but way before all that media, and till today, the ancestors of the Native Indigenous People enjoyed it first. It was a good move on Teddy Roosevelt to make national parks, but it drove away many peoples that populated those areas.

[@michaelkaiser4674]

thanks agin geology rocks DATIL NM rock on

[@user-be8wr4jj1q]

Супер вулкан пока спит а что нас ожидает дальше знает только бог ..! ! ! 😎🙂

[@GratefulOverlander]

Fuck Russia

[@zigzag6758]

ice actually melts eventually

[@bullmarket4u926]

Whatever happened to the SIGN that warned visitor that certain portion of glacier would disappear by 2020?

[@rosebudadkins6803]

I am Lakota and the park ranger told it straight. At the end of the day……..all ethnic cultures have struggled. Humanity failed to recognize we are all…….one race. The human race and must come together in love. Only then…..will we live in harmony. Creator made all his/her children. When the Sacred Hoop of Life is mended….we will have peace! Free Lenard Peltier! The FBI lied and we died.

[@alansherby4046]

I'm 60 and I never seen a glacier😪

[@arturasstatkus8613]

USA,👍👍👍👍👍

[@prschuster]

I hope that these parks never become private property to be developed by corporations looking to profit from them.

[@karnaag]

Keep on ignoring Olympic NP. When I worked there we loved the fact that nobody ever heard of us. Keeps the riffraff out so to speak. We wanted all that beauty to ourselves.

[@chandananimalsepala7825]

🇺🇲🎧🇺🇲

[@jessewru6425]

3:36 ole bigfeet laser-face.

[@nancyfahey7518]

I don't think we'll be alive when the glaciers disappear.

[@willhefner]

First they get rid of the wolves , the realization kick in ...sounds just like what they did with other human races of people ..😅

[@rosebudadkins6803]

Plan carefully! Take a satellite phone and good bear spray. Keep your wits about you. Missing 411. Be safe!

[@juliecook6057]

I must say that did creep into my mind, when you see vision of people wandering around by themselves ( understandably of course !) and you realise just how TRULY VULNERABLE a person is and just how EASY it is for them to disappear without a trace !! Between cryptids and accidents and BAD humans...the list is ENDLESS of what can happen !! Take care everyone and ENJOY , BUT be super alert with safety precautions !! Cheers from Oz 😎🇦🇺🐨

[@cynthiarosas8214]

Everyone needs salvation here are the words of salvation please forgive me jesus im a sinner come into my heart and save me from my sin I no that you are the savior and I no that you died for me on calvary and I no that God raise you from the dead and you are alive and I thankyou for your salvation in Jesus holy name amen and its important to always ask for forgiveness everynite

[@MichaelWiberg-nh5cd]

There's a lot more out there that'll get at you people are your worst nightmare

[@equus3333]

Oo9ik

[@200fpsASH]

The west of USA is more Alien 👾👽 then the world's knows it! The Mt holds most history of rare facts & souls of Aliens! Lol

[@brianjones6194]

God's creation.

[@martanegron3425]

Repent an turn to god repent the evil in god name an he would leave from you

[@juliecook6057]

What bearing does your " downer " comment have on this stunning video !! Unnecessary and un-called for !! Take your awful sermon elsewhere and don't ruin a beautiful video !! This IS NOT your own personal PULPIT lady !! Have restraint !! Good day !! 🙄

[@deborahallford7337]

There is absolutely nothing coincidental in all God's creation. Nothing. Period.

[@internuts11]

This was a fantastic video... all except the national park officer... he would do well to stop preaching especially when he's a Marxist

[@22Purplemist]

Get rid of the annoying background music

[@davidwellen830]

If that is the best thing you can say about this video, I hope you NEVER visit any of these parks.

[@22Purplemist]

@@davidwellen830 - no, it was the worst thing I could say about this video. The distracting music spoiled the video for me and I couldn't listen to it because of that. Not sure why that should mean I can't visit these 'parks'. That's a very strange connection you made there

[@codyhunt8896]

save the best for first with that intro i tell ya...

[@chandananimalsepala-5805]

🇺🇲🎧🇺🇲