Where to go when US National Parks fill to capacity this summer

Austin Adventures Recommends Active Adventures In Canada’s National Parks To Avoid Record Crowds Expected in US Parks This Year

Summer visits to national parks in the US this year are predicted to exceed all expectations. Those making plans to visit a stateside park at the 11th hour may find accommodations and services in short supply while visitors pack the pull-outs as they flock to enjoy our national icons during the Park Service Centennial Year.

Austin Adventures (http://www.austinadventures.com/), the pace-setter in luxury multisport and active family vacations worldwide, suggests that this summer and early fall there’s still a plentitude of tours and accommodations north of the border, in the equally spectacular Canadian Rockies.

“Canada is also a bargain this year with a steady rate of 1.25-1.30 Canadian for 1 US dollar,” said Dan Austin, Founder and President of Austin Adventures, offering an additional reason to consider a Canadian vacation in 2016.

“While many of our US-based national park adventures are nearing capacity, we still have good availability on most all of our Canadian Rockies trips from now through the end of the season,” he points out.

Adding another incentive, just announced for all new bookings on two itineraries that use Calgary, Alberta, as the gateway city to Banff and Jasper National Park adventures is a complimentary pre-night hotel stay. Guests just mention the promotion when booking and enjoy additional vacation savings.

“Calgary is home of the world-famous Calgary Stampede, the capital of the province of Alberta and the gateway to the Canadian Rockies,” added Austin. “It’s the perfect gateway to an alpine world many Americans have yet to experience.”

Established in 1995, Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest and is perhaps best known to Americans for Lake Louise, one of the world’s bucket list icons. Jasper National Park – and Banff – both provide sightings of indigenous wildlife such as bighorn sheep, moose and bear, as well as photo ops of drop-dead-gorgeous mountains, expansive glaciers and turquoise lakes.

Alberta / Banff to Jasper is a 6 day-5 night active vacation with confirmed departures in 2016 of July 17 and 31, Aug. 21 and 28 andSept. 4. Guests enjoy a variety of guided day hikes combined with scenic biking and rafting Class II-IV whitewater. The tour spans Calgary through Lake Louise and along the Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park. The per person, double, rate starts at $2,898. For more information visit: http://www.austinadventures.com/packages/alberta-banff-jasper/.

Alberta Family / Banff to Jasper also spans six days and five nights on confirmed departures in 2016 of July 3, 10 and 24, andAug. 7 and 14. Hiking, biking and whitewater rafting are also part of the fun of this trip, all geared to younger abilities and needs. Families will cross alpine slopes keeping an eye out for caribou, moose, mountain goats and bighorn sheep, and they will strap on crampons for a trek atop Athabasca Glacier with a local expert. The per person, double, rate for adults is $2,898 and children age seven and above who share accommodations with one or more adults are priced at $2,318 to $2,608. For more information visit: http://www.austinadventures.com/packages/alberta-family-banff-jasper/.

The rates for each trip include double occupancy rooms with private baths in distinctive lodges and inns; all breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners (except one on-own dinner); the assistance of fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners; bikes, helmets and other necessary equipment; vehicle support and land transportation during the trip; an Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service; pre-departure and packing information; incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and National Park entrance and permit fees.

For more information on all of the 2016 destinations, trips and itineraries offered by Austin Adventures visit http://www.austinadventures.com, call (800) 575-1540 or emailinfo@austinadventures.com.

About Austin Adventures
Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin-Lehman Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a top provider of luxury pre-set and custom-designed small group tours to all seven continents. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts portfolio of experiential leisure offerings that includes operations in Grand Canyon, Yellowstone,Zion, Crater Lake, Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park; and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also owns and operatesKingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in Williams, Ariz., the Grand Hotel in Tusayan, Ariz., Windstar Cruises, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Country Walkers and Austin Adventures.