Intermountain Region

While the Rocky Mountain National Park gets a lot of the attention in terms of Colorado parks, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a fantastic option where you’re likely to experience a little less foot traffic on the trails. There are plenty of hiking options for all experiences, including the Deadhorse, North Vista, and Oak Flat Loop trails.
However, if you want to hike the inner canyon, you better be ready to work. The Gunnison Route, which is often referred to as the easiest route, is extremely steep, rocky, and strenuous. These routes are covered in poison ivy as well, and the park’s website claims it is nearly impossible to avoid. We appreciate their honesty! It’s safe to say that the inner canyon routes should be left to the expert outdoorsmen.

That’s not to say that the novice national park adventurer won’t enjoy Black Canyon, as there are some tremendous scenic drives along the rims and down the river, great trout fishing, kayaking, and amazing views of the night sky. You can find yellow-bellied marmots, rocky mountain bighorn sheep, rock squirrels, ringtail cats, elk, and the rare black bear sighting, as well as a large number of birds, including the peregrine falcon (the world’s fastest bird).

What not to miss: The iconic Painted Wall – the tallest cliff face in Colorado

Best time of year to visit: Fall
Best time of year to avoid the crowds: Winter
Busiest Time of year: Summer

Helpful Hint: At the rim, elevation is over 8000 feet, so drink plenty of water and wear sun protection. Oh, and slow down.
Caution: Please don’t feed any wildlife. Watch your step along rim trails; drop-offs are 2000 feet straight down. Never throw anything from the rim into the canyon.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison Mugs

Where to Buy Mugs

WNPA Store inside the South Rim Visitors Center
10346 Hwy 347
Montrose, CO 81401.

Thanks in large part to low light pollution and healthy air quality, Canyonlands has some of the most spectacular night sky views. There are few things better than spending the night under the open sky after a day of exploring, and few places do it better than Canyonlands National Park. So, what do you do during the day while here? Well, there are many districts that make up the park, which include Island in the Sky (great for scenic drives and easy hiking), The Needles (for a more backcountry experience), and The Rivers (for flatwater trips on the Green or Colorado rivers and whitewater trips in Cataract Canyon).

There’s reduced visitor services in the winter, but you can still check out the park and take in some views even with snow on the ground. Just remember to pay attention to the weather forecasts and road conditions, as well as bring a pair of crampons. Coyotes, bats, owls, foxes, mule deer, jackrabbits, and kangaroo rats are frequently seen within the park.

What not to miss: Mesa Arch! This spectacular arch is perched on the edge of a cliff, so be careful. On a clear day, you can see White Rim Road, amazing canyons, and the distant La Sal Mountains. Sunrise at Mesa Arch is a favorite for photographers and remains popular all day long!
Best time of year to visit: Early part of November – The crowds have thinned out and the temps are perfect for hiking.
Best time of year to avoid the crowds: December – January.
Busiest time of year: June, July, and August
Helpful Hint: No matter where you explore in canyon country be sure to bring and drink plenty of water.
Caution: Be sure to stay on the trails because the soil is alive!

Canyonlands Mugs

Where to Buy Mugs

You can purchase the mugs online here

Carlsbad Caverns is a series of 117 caves, the longest of which is 120 miles long, filled with over 400,000 Mexican free-tailed bats and sixteen other species. In other words, if you come to Carlsbad Caverns you better: A.) Not be claustrophobic and B.) Not be afraid of bats. If you can get past those two things, then you’re sure to enjoy Carlsbad Caverns for the unique experiences it offers when compared to a typical National Park. You can take both self-guided cavern tours, as well as ranger-guided one if you’re looking to learn more about the history as you take in the views.

However, what most people come for are the bats. The Bat Flight Program takes place through late May to October, where the evening will begin with a ranger talk prior to watching thousands of bats emerge from the Carlsbad Cavern. The best thing about the program? No cameras are allowed of any kind so as not to harm the bats in complete darkness. This means it’s just you, some friends or family, and some fellow nature enthusiasts enjoying one of nature’s most epic scenes. Sometimes it’s nice to put down the camera and live in the moment completely. Along with the bats, you can find pronghorn, deer, raccoons, shrews, badgers, and wolves in the park.

What not to miss: Definitely the bat flights if you’re here during the summer or early fall,
The Big Room Tour Viewing the Natural Entrance – whether you walk down the trail or not, at least SEE the Natural Entrance.
Best time of year to visit: For bat flights – Summer or early Fall.
Overall, late September is great because it’s not crowded anymore and not so hot. The bats might not be at their best but the cave experience is MUCH better when it’s not crowded.
Best time of year to avoid the crowds: September.
Busiest time of year: June and July and the week of Thanksgiving
Helpful hint: The cave is 56 degrees but has high humidity. Bring a light layer that you can take on and off easily.
Caution: The trails are dim and a bit uneven, but have handrails. If you have issues with not being able to see the ground while walking without falling, bring a cane (not a walking stick) or use handrails.

Carlsbad Caverns Mugs

Where to Buy Mugs

You can purchase the mug online on the Western National Parks Association Store’s website here

Great Sand Dunes National Park looks otherworldly, where a mix of gorgeous mountain range views and sandy dunes come together. You’ve heard of snowboarding, but what about sandboarding and sand sledding? You can actually rent sandboards and ride down the dunes. It’s a once in a lifetime activity that will create a lasting memory for people of all ages. For the uncoordinated, sand sleds are an excellent alternative where balancing becomes less of an issue.

When it comes to stargazing, Great Sand Dunes is one of the best spots for watching the Milky Way in full form. The foreground of the dunes, coupled with the mountain ranges make for some truly humbling views of the night sky. As with all these national parks, Great Sand Dunes has some excellent hiking, whether it’s through the dunes or within the woods on the outskirts. Hiking to Sand Creek Lake should be on everyone’s list when they go to Great Sand Dunes. Tiger salamanders, elk, pikas, bighorn sheep, bison, and badgers all make Grand Sand Dunes their home.
What not to miss: If you are up for a challenge then we would suggest you attempt to hike to High Dune and or Star Dune. Medano Creek between May & July
Best time of year to visit: Early summer for best creek flow; September for best weather/temperature conditions and fall colors.
Best time of year to avoid the crowds: April/May before memorial day or September/October
after labor day.
Busiest time of year: July.
Helpful hint: When visiting in early to mid-summer bring lots of water, sun protection and bug repellent. These three simple and important components will make your time exploring much more enjoyable.
Caution: Summer air temperatures are pleasant at this high elevation, but during afternoon hours the sand surface can reach 150ºF, and dangerous thunderstorms can develop. Plan to hike the dunes in early morning or evening to avoid heat exhaustion, burned feet, or fatal lightning strikes.

Great Sand Dunes Mugs

Where to Buy Mugs

Buy it here

Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 in an effort to preserve and study the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who used to live there. The park protects 5,000 archeological sites and over 600 incredible cliff dwellings. If you’re interested in seeing an ancient city in the U.S., Mesa Verde is one of the best spots to do so.

If you’re interested in visiting for a short while, plan on at least being there for four hours, as it will take two hours driving in and out of the park. Some spots to see if you’re here for half a day are the Spruce Tree House and the Mesa Top Loop Road. If you have more time, the hiking trails are excellent, including Prater Ridge Trail, a 9-mile trail that changes in both elevation and vegetation throughout. Of course, you must stop at Cliff Palace, Balcony House, or Long House if you have time. It is incredible to see these cliff dwellings up close. Within the confines of the park, you can spot bats, shrews, red fox, bobcats, Rocky Mountain elk, and minks.

What not to miss: Taking the “700 Year Tour” really gives guests detailed info on the area’s inhabitants and their way of life, along with taking a tour of Balcony House (included with the tour).  Touring Cliff Palace (the largest cliff dwelling in North America) is a must as well; this requires purchasing a ticket in advance and is a ranger-guided tour.
Best time of year to visit: September is great.  The weather is very pleasant, and the Summer rush of tourists has subsided.  
Best time of year to avoid the crowds: May and September are your best months to avoid crowds and most dwellings and trails are open at these times.
Busiest Time of year: We have the highest attendance from mid-June to mid-August
Helpful hint: Since this is designated ancestral lands, all hikers MUST stay on all designated trails and cannot wander off to explore! And bringing plenty of water and some high-protein snacks is strongly suggested. Also, sunscreen and sunglasses should be worn; our sun on the Mesa is about 10x stronger than you would get at a typical beach!
Caution: We have many species of wildlife that should be avoided at all times (especially bears). Yes, staying away from cliff edges should be a priority while hiking and observing the cliff dwellings.

Last thing – what is the address or lat/long for the gift shop(s) that have the mugs for sale and are you offering them for sale online? 37.23058 degrees N, 108.4752 degrees W;  this isn’t the location of a store since we sell them in three locations but it’s the approximate center of the park itself. And these coordinates are on some souvenir items we carry.  We do not have an online store at all, everything must be purchased at the store in person or over the phone.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best parks to visit year round. Whether you’re visiting in the summer, spring, fall, or winter, there is plenty to see and do while here. In the winter, you’ll see plenty of cross-country skiers, as well as people snowshoeing. You can also snowshoe with a ranger to ensure that you hit up all the good spots, and if you don’t have your own equipment, Estes Park has plenty of rental shops available.

With over 355 miles of hiking trails, when the weather is nice and all the trails are accessible, there is no limit to all the sights you can see. Rocky Mountain National Park is definitely a destination that should, at the very least, be seen over the course of a long weekend. Day trips here will simply not do it justice. Bear Lake, Longs Peak, and Sprague Lake are some of the best spots to hit up for picturesque views. Trail Ridge Road, Emerald Lake Trail, and Old Fall River Road are some other popular spots as well. But, if we’re being honest, no matter where you are in the park, you will be impressed by what you see. Tiger salamanders, fence lizards, bighorn sheep, eagles, mountain lions, moose, and coyotes make Rocky Mountain National Park their home.

What not to miss: It is an easy walk around the lake and early morning photographers often gather on the opposite side of the lake to get the absolute best photograph.

Taking Old Fall River Road up to the top of Rocky Mountain National Park is always spectacular. Please be aware, there are no guard rails and there are many drop offs. There are also a lot of switchbacks to contend with. This road is best taken in early morning when the big horn sheep, elk, and often time moose, can be seen in many of the meadows. This road was the first road in RMNP and was a two way road when it opened and until Trail Ridge Road was built in 1939.

Bear Lake Road is another tourist must see. This is the most visited part of RMNP and if you are driving, it is advisable to get there in the very early morning, before 6:30 a.m. if you plan on parking in the lot provided, or after 3:00 p.m. There is a hiker’s shuttle that goes into the Bear Lake area which you can catch at the fairgrounds parking lot.

Best time of year to visit: Summer is the absolute busiest time of the year and the weekends when the aspen are changing and the elk are in rut. During the week in the fall is generally less crowded. Winter is a great time to come to RMNP to enjoy cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The weather can be a bit unpredictable though so come prepared and layer your clothing. It can be snowing and a winter wonderland, windy and cold, or a balmy 50 degrees.
Best time of year to avoid the crowds:.Winter is a great time to come to RMNP to enjoy cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The weather can be a bit unpredictable though so come prepared and layer your clothing.
Busiest time of year: Summer and weekends during the fall changing of the aspen and elk rutting season.
Helpful hint: Always let someone know where you are going to hike and when you expect to be back. RMNP is the busiest park for search and rescue operations. Always bring more clothing than you think you will need and a lot of water. This advice could save your life!
Caution: Please don’t feed any of the wildlife. The Rocky Mountain ecosystem is extremely susceptible to human behavior and feeding even a chipmunk can be detrimental to that chipmunks life. Do not advance too closely to any wildlife. Remember they are wild, even as docile as they may seem. If a large elk or moose would charge a human, that animal may be euthanized because of your actions. Stay at least two bus lengths away from the larger animals.

Rocky Mountain  National Park Mugs

Where to Buy Mugs

You can purchase the mugs online through the Trail Ride Gift Store here.

You can also by buy them in the physical store location:

Trail Ridge Gift Store
80517 Estes Park, Colorado

Yellowstone National Park is a staple of the U.S. Parks System. Located on the Yellowstone Caldera, the park is known for the sprawling network of geothermal areas that include boiling mud pots, colorful hot springs, and geysers that regularly erupt. The most infamous of these geysers, Old Faithful, has been bringing in people from the around the world for hundreds of years.

Yellowstone is actually the world’s first national park. Explore mountains, forests, and lakes to watch wildlife and witness the drama of the natural world unfold. Discover the history that led to the conservation of our national treasures “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” Some of the best hikes include Mount Washburn Spur Trail, Observation Peak Trail, Ribbon Lake Trail. Otters, badgers, bison, elk, moose, wolves, and lynx can be spotted running around the park.
What not to miss: Grand Prismatic Spring and the Buffalo in Hayden Valley
Best time of year to visit: September, because the crowds are thinning out and the weather is still nice and we don’t have snow to slow down your hiking.
Best time of year to avoid the crowds: October
Busiest Time of year: July, followed by August and then June.
Helpful Hint: Stay 100 yards away from all animals – definitely don’t feed them EVER.
Caution: Stay on the boardwalks in the thermal areas, that water is beyond hot

Yellowstone Mugs

Where to Buy Mugs

Yellowstone Forever
115 3rd Street South
Gardiner, MT 59030

Bozeman International Airport
850 Gallatin Field Rd
Belgrade, MT 59714

Lake Yellowstone Hotel
235 Yellowstone Lake Rd
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Old Faithful Inn Gift Store
1 Grand Loop Rd
Yellowstone National PArk, WY 82190

Old Faithful Snow Lodge
2051 Snow Lodge Ave
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Canyon Lodge Gift Store
41 Clover Ln
Yellowstone National PArk, WY 82190

Lake Lodge Gift Store
No address found

Mammoth Gift Store
No address found