Aramark Prepares For 2021 Travel Season At America’s National Parks; Adapts Lodging and Outdoor Activities to Provide Sanctuary and Accommodate Socially Distanced Getaways
DENALI NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA — This year more than ever, the National Parks provide the backdrop for adventure with a built-in safety of social distancing outdoors. As travelers consider making vacation plans for this summer, Aramark, the award-winning food and hospitality partner for national and state parks, has redesigned many of its most popular programs to allow vacationers to achieve sanctuary and safety while exploring pristine natural landscapes, learning about history and adventuring into regional experiences.
“Presenting unforgettable, authentic outdoor experiences is at the very heart of our mission,” said Bruce W. Fears, president of Aramark’s Leisure division. “Now, after months of isolation, we feel a nature centered vacation is what will help many vacationers and families refocus in the safe and peaceful surroundings of our nation’s most stunning environments.”
PARK ACCOMODATIONS & HOSPITALITY SERVICES
In consultation with the National Park Service, as part of the commitment to creating a safe, enjoyable experience during guest visits, some services and operations have been modified and adjusted. Visitors are encouraged to visit each park’s National Park Service website for additional information. Dates and services are subject to change.
Denali National Park and Preserve: The Lodge at Denali Park Village will reopen on May 27. The Tundra Wilderness Tour will reopen on May 20, with Certified Interpretive Guides who will share the rich history and Alaska culture while guests view abundant wildlife including Dall sheep, grizzly bears, wolves, and caribou. www.denaliparkvillage.com
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: Glacier Bay Lodge will reopen on May 28. In addition, the Glacier Bay Boat Tour, will reopen on May 29 allowing visitors to see to up-close views of the 200-year-old ice calving from the glaciers’ faces. Guests might also be treated to whale, brown bear, and mountain goat sightings. Other outdoor activities include bicycle rentals and beach walks at low tide to explore the bay. www.visitglacierbay.com
Mesa Verde National Park: Far View Lodge, situated within the park at 8,250 ft. above sea level, reopens on May 1. Visitors can explore archeological sites of the ancestral Puebloans including the Cliff Palace, the largest preserved dwelling. www.visitmesaverde.com
Crater Lake National Park: Crater Lake Lodge plans to reopen May 14 and the Cabins at Mazama Village will reopen with a fresh new look on May 21. Visitors can choose from more than 90 miles of hiking trails, many with summit views of the iconic Wizard Island and Phantom Ship. www.travelcraterlake.com
Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest: Blissfully disconnected from the modern world, the Olympic Peninsula offers several hotel and lodging options. www.olympicnationalparks.com
Lake Quinault Lodge, open year-round, is located within the Quinault Rainforest and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guests can wind down from the day at the legendary Roosevelt Dining for a five-star dining experience and then relax by lakeside bonfires to complete a “quintessential” lakeside vacation.
Lake Crescent Lodge will reopen on May 7. This 105-year-old hotel listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sets the stage for idyllic outdoor adventures ranging from walking and bicycling trails lined with 500-year-old trees and waterfalls to fishing, paddleboats, kayaking and stand up paddleboard rentals.
Log Cabin Resort reopens on May 21. Ideal for the budget-conscious vacationers, the rustic log cabins with kitchens and the lakeside campgrounds provide families with a true back-to-nature experience including hikes to see wildlife, and lake activities such as fishing, paddleboats, paddleboards, canoes, and kayak rentals.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort reopens April 16 featuring private cabins that offer peaceful isolation. Abundant hiking trails leading to Sol Duc Valley and Sol Duc Falls provide natural social distancing for a safe and stress-free getaway. Overnight guests of the cabin resort also enjoy access to the three natural mineral hot spring soaking pools with temperatures ranging from 99 to 104 degrees F.
Lake Tahoe National Forest: Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina is a “log cabin” getaway like no other and just a short walk from the beach, marina, lake cruises and dining. The Zephyr Cove Marina offers lake rentals including powerboats, pontoon boats, kayaks, paddleboards, water toy rentals and parasailing or scenic day tours and dinner cruises on the MS Dixie II paddle-wheeler. Horseback Tours showcase some of the best views of the Lake and include breakfast, lunch or dinner rides. www.zephyrcove.com Nearby Lake Tahoe Adventures offers visitors “off the beaten track” tours of the backcountry on ATVs and Razor. www.laketahoeadventures.com
Asilomar (CA) State Beach: Located on protected California State Park beachfront land on the Monterey Peninsula, Asilomar Hotel & Conference Grounds, open to overnight guests, provides a tranquil oceanfront getaway renowned for its historic architecture, designed by Hearst Castle Architect Julia Morgan. The serene environment lends itself to a multitude of tranquil nature experiences including coastal biking trails, beach walking trails, Living Dunes Walk, Coast Trail Walk and Forest Walk. www.visitasilomar.com
Bridger-Teton National Forest: Togwotee Mountain Lodge, located at 8,654 feet in elevation on Angle Mountain features 54 individual cabins with kitchenettes. The lodge is conveniently located near Grand Teton National Forest and Yellowstone National Park. www.togwoteelodge.com Nearby Sands Whitewater offers thrilling whitewater rafting and scenic float trips down the Snake River. www.sandswhitewater.com
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: As America’s top house boating destination, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas is open and poised for the spring and summer season with houseboats for vacationers to enjoy a private “home away from home” experience on the water. The nearby Horseshoe Bend River Rafting tours will resume in May, for guests of all ages. www.lakepowell.com
Yosemite National Park: The Ahwahnee, a National Historical Landmark near the base of Half Dome and Glacier point, and Yosemite Valley Lodge are open all year and offer a peaceful respite among picture-perfect surroundings with endless outdoor activities including 12 miles of flat biking paths leading to iconic sites like Mirror Lake and Lower Yosemite Fall and hiking trails leading to hidden waterfalls and lakes. The beloved Curry Village is scheduled to reopen in April 2021. www.travelyosemite.com
-###-
About Aramark — Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, state-of-the-art healthcare providers, the world’s leading educational institutions, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. Our 270,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and nourish millions of lives every day through innovative services in food, facilities management and uniforms. We operate our business with social responsibility, focusing on initiatives that support our diverse workforce, advance consumer health and wellness, protect our environment, and strengthen our communities. Aramark is recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, as well as an employer of choice by the Human Rights Campaign and DiversityInc. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.