The Worlds Quietest Places

[cjacob]

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-29991807

I hope to beat Shane at this posting.

[DC6080]

I'm both impressed and surprised that Forbes recognized Big Bend on a "world" list! It presents a paradox, however: It is GREAT for the recognition, but TERRIBLE for the attention!

[Al]

Not to worry. Over the years, many have said they want to go to Big Bend, but only the few go.  I doubt that article will significantly change human nature.

Al

[dkerr24]

I doubt this will increase visitation as well.  Even the busiest national parks see 99% of the visitation from 100 yards of the nearest road.  Not many folks willing to get very far out of their car.  Nor are they willing to drive very far from the beaten path, and BIBE is definitely far off that path.

[homerboy2u]

 Nor are they willing to drive very far from the beaten path, and BIBE is definitely far off that path.

 Plus there are bears and mountain lions out yonder...scary scary stuff....

I hope to beat Shane at this posting.

 Looks as Shane is, finally, putting down the keyboard and picking up the keychains of the truck...

[CactusFlower]

Well, I think it is more than just far off the beaten path.  Grand Canyon is a ways from a major airport but I think since it has such a well known attraction (bit long hole in the ground), people are willing to drive further.  Plus, on the surface, the cool thing in Grand Canyon to see if RIGHT THERE and impossible to miss.  With BIBE, you have to drive a windy road, hike a ways, or look into some water and not see the fish that don't live anywhere else in the world (or used to).  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  BIBE was in Outside or Backpacker magazine earlier this year and I cringed inside.  I love to share the park with people....just not too many people..  :-) 

[mule ears]

Well, I think it is more than just far off the beaten path.  Grand Canyon is a ways from a major airport but I think since it has such a well known attraction (bit long hole in the ground), people are willing to drive further.  

The difference is that the Grand Canyon is actually on the way to somewhere (not too far off of I-40 going E-W or between Flagstaff and Las Vegas or SLC going N-S). Big Bend is not on the way to anywhere, it is at the end of the road essentially. I love that about it.

[Goldilocks]

Big Bend is not on the way to anywhere, it is at the end of the road essentially. I love that about it.

Isn't that one of the things that makes Big Bend so special? It is one of the things we all love about it. It will never be a Yosemite or a Grand Canyon. It is truly at the end of the road. What an amazing end!

[Al]

Absolutely.  The best of news is most of the world doesn't care there are those who believe Big Bend is where all the rocks left over from creation were placed.  Got to admit the Grand Canyon is much more visually impressive.

Al

PS  The view from the del Carmens also is about a mile high but is very hard to get to, thank goodness.

 

[Undertaker]

Couple of years ago wife and I got back from Grand Canyon on looking at photos only had a few, those where I stood on the rim, that did not have other people in them. Big Bend allows big photos with just Big Bend in the Photos.

[dkerr24]

Couple of years ago wife and I got back from Grand Canyon on looking at photos only had a few, those where I stood on the rim, that did not have other people in them. Big Bend allows big photos with just Big Bend in the Photos.

Once you step down below the rim on one of the trails at Grand Canyon, the amount of tourists rapidly drops off.  Hiking off the 'corridor trails' you can go for hours or even days without seeing a soul.

[Undertaker]

Been there done that, the rest of the place is a madhouse, North Rim is nice most of the time.

[homerboy2u]

PS  The view from the del Carmens also is about a mile high but is very hard to get to, thank goodness. 

  ..Yeap!!, I concur. The soon to be International Park... , will have no effect  on more visitations to the area. Just more places to explore, for the passionate ones.

[DC6080]

The North Rim is definately better with fewer visitors because no one wants to drive the extra 200 miles to get to it! However, the trees, mountains, and cabins at Jacob's Lake are worth the effort!