About Xanterra Parks & Resorts.

DENVER – More than one-third of all Americans have traveled to a family reunion in the past three years, and although it is impossible to know the precise number, many of those reunions were held at national parks. With just a quick glance around the lobby of the venerable Old Faithful Inn or a walk along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon , you’ll see travelers of virtually every age.

Experts from park concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts see many multiple-room bookings, particularly during the summer season, and they believe these bookings are often made by intergenerational family groups.

“Most parks offer a wide range of activities for travelers of every physical ability and age, so many multi-generational groups tend to split up and explore the parks at their own pace by day, then meet back at the lodge for dinner,” said Judi Lages, vice president of sales and marketing for Xanterra Parks & Resorts, operator of lodges, restaurants, gift shops and activities in many national parks. “National parks are a very good choice for multi-generational groups because they allow families to bond but still spend time participating in activities that are of most interest to them, especially when some members of a group prefer a vacation with no surprises, while others want to constantly see and do new things.”

National parks can satisfy every traveler’s personality. With more than 70 parks and close to 400 National Park Service-operated units, there are plenty of places to visit. Each park offers something in the form of geology, wildlife, colorful characters, historic architecture and a wide range of outdoor activities.

Xanterra manages concessions in Yellowstone , Grand Canyon , Bryce Canyon , Zion , Crater Lake , Death Valley and Petrified Forest National Parks , and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Over the past several years, the company has increased its interpretive programs, which emphasize environmental sustainability, as well as the history, culture and geology of various parks.

Educating visitors about environmental sustainability, history and culture takes a deft understanding of the needs and perspectives of each age group, and Xanterra-operated parks offer a variety of programs with the diversity of visitors in mind.

The South Rim of Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park is a good example. While a hike to the bottom of the Canyon and back is a feat for the only the fittest of travelers, a leisurely walk around the rim can offer visitors of all physical abilities a wonderful introduction to the Canyon’s geology. Xanterra has prepared a self-conducted walking tour of Grand Canyon Village , which features numerous historic buildings and breathtaking views. The free brochure includes descriptions of places like El Tovar Hotel, a historically and architecturally significant lodge completed in 1905 at a cost of $250,000. Visitors can shop for Native American artwork in the Hopi House gift shop, visit the Grand Canyon History Room in Bright Angel Lodge or enjoy a cup of coffee in the lobby of the famous El Tovar.

As one of the country’s largest and most fascinating national parks, Yellowstone National Park has always been a traditional multi-generational travel destination. While all members of a group can watch the wonder of geysers and other thermal features, those with more of an adventurous spirit and good physical abilities can also go hiking in the backcountry or participate in a horseback trail ride. Others can enjoy a walking tour of the 100-year-old Old Faithful Inn, fish in Yellowstone Lake with a guide or take a guided motorcoach tour ride in a vintage touring vehicle to watch the sun set. Yellowstone ’s boundaries encompass the states of Wyoming , Montana and Idaho .

In California ’s Death Valley National Park breathtaking scenery surrounds hikers as they travel to the Racetrack – a geological phenomenon featuring rocks that have mysteriously slid over a dry lakebed – or the lowest point in the at 282 feet below sea level. The human history in the park is well-documented at the Harmony Borax Works and Scotty’s Castle, a Spanish hacienda-style facility comprised of eight buildings that feature beautiful furnishings and spectacular tile-work from , and the . In the early 1900s, Walter Scott – “Death Valley Scotty” – convinced Albert Johnson, an insurance executive from Chicago , to finance his gold mining expeditions.

Bryce Canyon National Park , Zion National Park and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park are often part of the same vacation. Even though the three parks are within easy drives of each other, they have their own distinct personalities. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon displays the canyon in all of its sheer immensity. Utah ’s Zion features world-famous hikes with much of the activity originating from the canyon floor. Bryce, also in Utah ,  is famous for its wind-blown rock formations and an easily accessible canyon that was described aptly as “a tough place to lose a cow” by a local rancher. All feature lodges designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood for the Union Pacific railroad.

The 183,224-acre Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is the country’s fifth national park, established in 1902. At 1,947 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the country and is surrounded by lava walls 500 to 2,000 feet high. Popular activities include taking a breathtaking narrated boat ride or drive around the lake, hiking to the various scenic viewpoints or immersing oneself in the history of the Crater Lake Lodge.

All generations can relate to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Vintage voting booths allow visitors of all ages to “vote” for their favorite president. Displays include artist Gutzon Borglum’s original models and actual tools. Film footage and interpretive displays make this a must-see destination. The South Dakota memorial has been named the No. 1 family destination in the by FamilyFun magazine.

Celebrating its centennial this year, Petrified Forest National Park in Northeastern Arizona offers not only some of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, but also the dramatic badlands of the Painted Desert, archeological sites and displays of 225-million-year-old fossils. Open every day except Christmas, the park is particularly spectacular during the winter months, when park visitation drops dramatically and visitors feel as if they have the entire park all to themselves. A 28-mile park road offers a wide variety of overlooks as well as entries to hiking trails.

Wildlife viewing in Florida ’s Everglades National Park is unparalleled. Birdwatchers will spot more than 200 species of birds in the winter, including egrets, storks, roseate spoonbills and an occasional bald eagle. The best places to see the birds are at ponds, particularly in the dry winter months. The Anhinga Trail is one of the most dependable areas for wildlife viewing, where children and adults alike are often thrilled by the opportunities to watch close-up the park’s abundant reptile residents including alligators, crocodiles and snakes. Wildlife watching is best during the winter when the animals gather around water-filled gator holes.

For more information about Xanterra and links to individual properties, visit: www.xanterra.com. For reservations and more information about Grand Canyon , Bryce, Zion or Death Valley , call (1) 303-297-2757 or toll-free at (1) 888-297-2757. For reservations and more information about Yellowstone , call (1) 307-344-7311. For reservations at Crater Lake Lodge, call (1) 541-830-8700.

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Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc. operates lodges, restaurants and other concessions at national parks and state parks and resorts. Xanterra is the country’s largest national park concessioner. The company operates concessions in the following locations: Yellowstone National Park, the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Death Valley National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Everglades National Park, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial; and at the Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif.; Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and eight Ohio State Parks.

Long committed to the preservation and protection of the environment, Ecologix, Xanterra’s environmental program, includes a variety of proactive environmental stewardship programs in each location. Xanterra was selected as a member of the EPA “Environmental Performance Track” program in 2003. Also in 2003, the company’s Grand Canyon operations received the Arizona Tourism Award for Preservation and its operations in Mount Rushmore received the prestigious ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard Certification. Xanterra was the recipient of Environmental Achievement Awards from the Environmental Protection Agency in 2002 and from the Department of Interior in 2001 and 2002. Xanterra also received the Travel Industry Association’s Odyssey Award for its environmental initiatives in 2001.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts
6312 Fiddlers Green Circle
Suite 600 North
Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Media contact:
Mona Mesereau
720-842-5271
mona_mesereau@msn.com