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Hot Summer Deals in U.S. National Parks

If you like it hot, here is a selection of summer deals at national parks that is sure to entice.

If you like it hot, here is a selection of summer National Parks deals that is sure to entice.

You've heard of Bikram yoga -- sweating it out to intensify the experience -- well now we have extreme golf courtesy of arguably the hottest place of earth -- Death Valley National Park. The Furnace Creek Golf Course (tel. 760/786-3373) is offering an "Extreme Golf Six Pack" from June 1 to August 31, 2007. With summertime temperatures often going above 120 degrees you too can enjoy nine holes of golf, including club rental, electric cart, golf balls, tees and thankfully chilled bottled water for a super cool $25. The 18-hole Furnace Creek Golf Course originally opened in 1931 and underwent a major renovation in 1997. Recover from your adventure at the 224-room Furnace Creek Ranch (tel. 888/297-2757; www.furnacecreekresort.com) situated adjacent to the golf course. Room rates (double occupancy) until October 11, 2007 range from $116 to $143 for a cabin, $146 to $173 in a deluxe room or $166 to $193 in a parkside room.

Staying with the hot theme, it's pretty steamy in southwest Texas at Big Bend National Park featuring over 800,000 acres of Chihuahuan Desert landscape, the Chisos Mountains, the Rio Grande at its southern edge and spectacular limestone canyons up to 1,500 feet deep, carved by the fast flowing river rapids, providing idyllic spots to cool down. The Chisos Mountains Lodge (tel. 432/477-2291; www.chisosmountainslodge.com) is the only accommodation facility located within the park's borders and offers Texas hospitality and sweeping southwestern views. Their six Roosevelt Stone Cottages sleep six people and are priced from $115 per night per cottage. Emory Peak Lodge Rooms that sleep three people are priced from $94 per night.

Big Bend River Tours (tel. 800/545-4240; www.bigbendrivertours.com) offers a variety of half-day to multi-day adventure trips in Big Bend National Park including canyon rafting, hiking, canoeing and horse riding. Sample prices include the one-day "Saddle and Paddle" trip for $155 (half-day river and half-day riding), a four-day Colorado/Santa Elena Canyons river rafting trip for $560 and a six-day Mariscal/Boquillas Canyons rafting expedition is $845 pre person.

Fancy some summer fun for you and the family at Yellowstone? The five-night "Total Yellowstone" package is for stays starting on Sunday nights from July 1 to August 17, 2007. It consists of guided walks, a boat tour, a horseback ride, a bus tour and wildlife watching in the Lamar Valley. The package includes five-nights lodging (three-nights at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and two-nights at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel), breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, tours, guides, a special gift, a final night group campfire program and a memento photo CD. The price is $1,229 plus tax per person based on double occupancy and $659 for children under the age of 12.

The "Fun on the Fly: Learn to Fly Fish" is a four-night package from the Yellowstone Fly Fishing School (www.yellowstoneflyfishingschool.com) and Xanterra Resorts staying in a Frontier cabin at Lake Yellowstone Hotel (tel. 866/439-7375; www.travelyellowstone.com). The package includes accommodations, breakfast and lunch daily, one dinner; in-park transportation; eight hours of fly fishing instruction each day, all the equipment you'll need (fly rods, reels, flies, fly-tying tools, lines and waders) and a special gift per person. The price is $1,649 per person plus tax based on double occupancy. The minimum age to participate is 12 and this package is available June 14 to 17, June 29 to July 2, July 9 to 12, July 20 to 23, August 10 to 13 and August 24 to 27, 2007.

With five national parks located within its borders, Utah is America's national parks capital. Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park are all here plus Utah also lays claim the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, because it is best accessed through southern Utah.

Known for its deep canyons, sandstone cliffs and scenic vistas, Zion National Park combines the beauty of lush forestland with colorful mountain peaks and hiking hotspots like Angel's Landing and the waterfalls of Emerald Pools. The luxurious Red Mountain Spa (tel. 800/407-3002; www.redmountainspa.com) is located within an hour's drive of Mount Zion National Park (and a little over two hours from Bryce Canyon) and currently has a "Two-Night Tune-Up" package priced from $259 per person per night. It includes deluxe accommodations, healthy gourmet cuisine (three meals daily), daily guided morning hikes and moonlight walks, unlimited fitness classes (Yoga, Pilates, Chi Ball, Reebok Core Board etc.), cooking demonstrations, nutrition classes and full use of resort facilities (indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools, tennis court and Cybex cardio equipment). This package is valid for stays from now through to September 16, 2007. Book online and save 5% off this and any other package.

The Tioga Pass Resort (www.tiogapassresort.com) is a rustic mountain resort located in California's Eastern Sierra Nevada at an elevation of some 9641 feet elevation, surrounded by the lakes, rivers and mountains of California's Yosemite National Park, the Inyo National Forest, and the Mono Basin National Scenic Area. No other accommodation provides such easy access to the Yosemite high country and its spectacular hiking trails. The lodge and cabins were built from 1914 through the 1980's and provide welcoming accommodations while the historic café is known for its homemade dishes and delectable desserts. Summer double room rates start from $115 per night, $110 per night if you are staying two or more nights, or $105 for five nights or more. Cabins that sleep up to six people are $217.50 for a single night, $202.50 for two or more nights and $182.50 for stays of five nights and longer. You have to love a place this remote -- there is no telephone number to call as there is only a satellite phone for outgoing calls.

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