National Parks
Did you know that there are 59 National Parks and more than 400 National Sites in the United States? That’s a lot of vacation potential! Travelers can explore natural wonders, beaches, deserts, mountains, monuments, and more.
We can help you build the perfect National Parks vacations, tailoring your accommodations, travel, transportation, tours, and activities to meet your needs! Explore some of the possibilities by state below! When you’re ready, send us a message by clicking here!
Table of Contents
Alaska
Glacier Bay National Park
Katmai National Park and Preserve
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kobuk Valley National Park
Lake Clark National Park
Spotlight: Denali National Park and Preserve
This National Park consists of six million acres of wild land, including North America’s tallest peak, Denali, at 20,310’. There is only one road entrance into the park and one 92 mile long dirt and gravel road. This park stays open through the winter months and is worth a visit across seasons. The park is home to the Murie Science and Learning Center, run through a partnership with Alaska Geographic and other organizations. Visitors can enjoy hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, snowmobiling, cycling, fishing, and taking in the incredible landscapes and wildlife inside the park.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
American Samoa
National Park of American Samoa
American Samoa (officially “Territory of American Samoa”) is an unincorporated United States territory, located in the south central Pacific Ocean.
The first Samoan people arrived by sea from Asia roughly 3,000 years ago. They created a distinct culture (fa’asamoa) that is Polynesia’s oldest. This remote National Park seeks to preserve and protect that culture.
Within the park, you’ll find so many incredible sights and experiences, including interacting with the Samoan people who still occupy the land today. There are several archeological sites throughout the park, in a partnership between the National Park and local communities.
This is a nature and wildlife enthusiast’s dream destination!
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Saguaro National Park
Spotlight: Grand Canyon National Park
This world-renowned National Park is an iconic destination for American families. While most people are familiar with the actual canyon, they may not know about all of the other awesome recreation and activities at this park. For instance, visitors can head into the Village Historic District to see early 1900s buildings like the Hopi House, Lookout Studio, and Train Depot. The Grand Canyon Railway arrives at the station daily! Visitors can also explore the Yavapai Museum of Geology, take the Hermit Road shuttle with 9 stops at canyon overlooks, walk, hike, bicycle, take mule trips, raft the Colorado River, and more!
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Arkansas
Hot Springs National Park
This National Park’s ancient thermal springs and in-town location make it so unique.
Explore the Bathhouse Row, eight bathhouse buildings constructed between 1892-1923, and the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum and Visitor Center. The grandiose architecture is a fascinating peek into health and healing in the early 20th century! Visitors can also experience a soaking experience in the Buckstaff Bathhouse and Quapaw Bathhouse, where thermal water is piped directly in.
Beer enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, located inside one of the old bathhouses. Not only is it the only brewery inside a National Park, but also the only brewery in the world that uses thermal spring water to brew their beer!
Visitors can also enjoy outdoor recreation like biking, hiking, birding, and guided tours, as well as shopping and scenic drives.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
California
Channel Islands National Park
Death Valley National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Redwood National Park
Sequoia National Park
Yosemite National Park
Spotlight: Joshua Tree National Park
This park spans two different deserts and protects nearly 800k acres in Southern California. Visitors can enjoy sights like Black Rock Canyon, Cottonwood Spring, Covington Flats, and Skull Rock. There is also camping, hiking, backpacking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and birding. Visitors can experience true dark night skies and admire the Milky Way without light pollution.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Colorado
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Mesa Verde National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Spotlight: Rocky Mountain National Park
This National Park is 415 square miles, yet contains 355 miles of hiking trails and a road system for scenic drives through and along forests, groves, meadows, rivers, and 12,000 feet of elevation! In addition to scenic views, visitors can enjoy biking, fishing, horseback riding, camping, and more!
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Florida
Biscayne National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park
Everglades National Park
Spotlight: Everglades National Park
This National Park is the third largest park in the lower 48, covering 2400 square miles, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, and Wetland of International Importance. It’s truly a treasure worth exploring and can even make a great side trip for another planned Florida vacation. The park is home to many rare and endangered species, including the American crocodile, Florida panther, and manatee. It is also packed full of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, boating, canoeing, kayaking, slough slogging, fishing, birding, camping, and even geocaching! Amy grew up near the Everglades and gets a thrill from helping clients explore a National Park so close to her heart.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Hawaii
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Haleakalā National Park
Spotlight: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
This park extends from sea level to a soaring 13,677 feet, with incredible landscapes unlike anything else in the world. It contains the summits of two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. You may remember the major news story when Kilauea erupted in 2018, with months of large lava flows covering part of the park and devastating local areas. The park faced a difficult road to recovery, but has largely reopened and welcomes thousands of visitors again daily.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Kentucky
Mammoth Cave National Park
This park spans almost 53,000 acres and contains the world’s largest known cave system, historic buildings, forests, river valleys, rolling hills, and sinkholes. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.
Visitors can experience cave tours, which range from easy to strenuous in difficulty. On these tours, you’ll walk through the world’s largest cave that was first entered by humans almost 5000 years ago, tube shaped passages, sparkling gypsum walls, and historic buildings. There is also a self-guided tour option for visitors who want to move at their own pace or have specific interests.
In addition to the caves, visitors can also enjoy biking, boating, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and more!
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Maine
Acadia National Park
This park is sometimes called the “crown jewel of the North Atlantic coast” and it’s easy to see why. It is nearly 50,000 acres and one of the top 10 most-visited national parks!
The park protects the rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline, as well as the habitats and rich culture found there. The park contains 60 miles of coastline, 158 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads, and 33 miles of motor roads.
Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, birding, boating, swimming, and tide pooling, as well as exploring historic structures like bridges and lighthouses.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Michigan
Isle Royale National Park
This isn’t just a National Park, it’s an island in Lake Superior! Visitors arrive to the park by ferry, private boat, or seaplane for an exciting start to a park visit.
This isolated island is an adventurer’s paradise with backpacking, hiking, boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, and guided boat tours.
History buffs will enjoy learning more about the Indigenous people, fisheries, mines, resorts, and cottages. Meanwhile, animal and wildlife may take particular interest in the ecological study of wolves happening on the island. It’s the longest running study of its kind!
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Minnesota
Voyageurs National Park
This park is a series of interconnected water highways, including Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point Lakes, that make up 40% of the park! The park takes its name from the literal voyagers who used those waterways.
The park’s landscape was formed by ancient earthquakes, volcanoes, and glaciers. Visitors can learn more about the geology of the park, as well as the voyagers, while in the park!
It is home to iconic animals like Balt eagles, beavers, black bears, gray wolves, moose, and owls on land and air, as well as lake trout, northern pike, sturgeon, and walleye in the waters.
Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, boating, and guided tours, as well as winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Montana
Glacier National Park
When this park was established in 1910, it took its name from over 100 glaciers on the land. However, that number has dwindled down to 26 (as of 2015) active glaciers. The park is special. In fact, it’s the only place in America to have the four designations of National Park, biosphere reserve, international peace park, and UNESCO world heritage site. It’s also an international dark sky park.
The park is full of awe-inspiring landscapes, including alpine meadows, forests, mountains, lakes, and, of course, glaciers. Jackson Glacier is the easiest to view and best seen from the Going-to-the-Sun Road Overlook. Going-to-the-Sun Road is a must-do, whether in your own vehicle or on the park shuttle.
The park is an adventurer’s wonderland, with over 700 miles of trails. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, boating, backcountry camping, and even cross-country skiing. History and culture enthusiasts will enjoy learning about the evidence of human use dating back over 10,000 years and the many tribes that inhabited the land, as well as the historic chalets and lodges.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Nevada
Great Basin National Park
This park showcases the incredible diversity of the Great Basin region. Visitors will find so much more than just desert in Nevada!
Visitors can enjoy tours of the Lehman Caves, wild caving, climbing, backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, astronomy programs, fishing, pine nut gathering, wildflower viewing, and more. You can’t miss Wheeler Peak, whose summit is 13,063’!
Plant enthusiasts will be particularly interested in the three groves of Great Basin Bristlecone pines, the oldest known living trees and only found in California, Nevada, and Utah! Visitors can also head to the visitor center to count the rings of Prometheus, a famous tree that was cut down for research many decades ago and has 4,862 growth rings!
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
This park has beautiful landscapes that include deep canyons, flowering cactus, ancient sea ledges, and wildlife, but it also has a secret – 119 caves beneath its surface!
Carlsbad Cavern is the result of a fossil reef from an inland sea dating back 265 million years ago. The park museum and archives contain roughly one million artifacts, showcasing the long continued use by humans dating back to prehistoric times.
Visitors can explore the cavern’s Big Room on their own and take ranger-guided tours to explore other caves in the park. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, bat flight programs, and night sky programs.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
North Carolina & Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This world-renowned park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee and is the most visited national park in the country! It showcases ancient mountains, Southern Appalachian mountain culture, and a huge diversity of animal and plant life.
The park offers a huge variety of activities and recreation, so it’s easy to see why so many people visit! Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, camping, and more. History buffs will enjoy exploring the historic buildings and burial landscapes, while nature enthusiasts will enjoy seeing the fall leaves, wildflowers, blooming shrubs, waterfalls, wildlife, and other natural wonders.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
This park is the namesake of President Theodore Roosevelt, who first visited the Dakota Territory in 1883. His experiences there would shape conservation policy in our country for generations to come and part of why we are able to enjoy these parks.
The park offers two scenic drives, one 48 miles long and one 28 miles long, that will take visitors to iconic views, activities, and overlooks, including the Little Missouri Badlands, River Bend Overlook, Oxbow Overlook, hiking trails, and plenty of wildlife viewing.
Many visitors feel a spiritual and emotional pull to the Badlands area. It is an ancient and spiritual place. It’s significant for many Indigenous people with deep roots to the area. The buttes were home to animal spirits, medicine-making rituals, vision quests, and prayer.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
This park is just outside Cleveland and Akron and is considered an “urban park”, but feels worlds away! The park’s founding is rooted in social and environmental movements of the 20th century, particularly the civil rights movement of the 60s and 70s. It was created in 1974, as part of the Parks to the People movement, to protect and have open scenic spaces near urban areas.
There is over a 12,000 year history of human life in the valley that has shaped the landscape and intertwined nature and culture together in the forests, hills, and farmlands. In preparation for their 50th anniversary in 2024-2025, the park is focusing on the stories of African Americans and women in the Cuyahoga Valley.
Visitors can’t miss a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad! They can also enjoy hiking, backpacking, biking, and Canalway questing (similar to geocaching without need for a GPS unit), as well as snowshoeing, sledding, snow tubing, and skiing in the winter. Visitors can also kayak and canoe with their own equipment, as well as horse trail ride their own horses.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Oregon
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake is unlike any other lake you’ll ever see (or not see, due to cloud cover!). It’s the world’s deepest and clearest lake, resting on a sleeping volcano. The lake is so pristine because it’s fed by rain and snow.
Visitors can explore the geology of the lake on a boat or troller tour. They can also enjoy 90 miles of trails, 33 miles of driving road, and 30 overlooks. There are so many opportunities to take in Crater Lake and the surrounding natural beauty! Visitors can also enjoy a walking tour, scavenger hunts, biking, fishing, backcountry camping, and winter activities like cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, and snowmobiling.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
South Carolina
Congaree National Park
This park is home to the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest int he southeastern United States, thanks to waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers that sweep through the floodplain delivering nutrients and sediments to the ecosystem.
In addition to the stunning landscapes, there’s also a rich cultural history that dates back over 13,000 years and includes prehistoric natives, Spanish explorers, Revolutionary War patriots, escaped enslaved people, loggers, conservationists, and more.
Visitors can explore the natural wonders in the park, like the champion trees, on foot, with over 25 miles of hiking trails and 2.4 miles of boardwalk, or in the water on a marked canoe trail exploring Cedar Creek. They can also enjoy fishing, camping, and ranger led programs like nature discovery walks.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
South Dakota
Badlands National Park
Wind Cave National Park
Spotlight: Badlands National Park
This park might be our favorite, with a rich history and so much to do. The park is 244,000 acres of protected mixed-grass prairie that’s home to bighorn sheep, bison, black-footed ferrets, prairie dogs, and more. It’s also one of the richest fossil beds in the world.
The park’s name comes from a Lakota term, “mako sica”, which translates literally to “bad lands”. When the French passed through the area, they also called it “les mauvaises terres a traveser”, which means “bad lands to travel across”. Badlands is now a geological and geographical term! Still, the name of the park was debated before its founding and was almost “Wonderland National Park”!
There are so many ways for visitors to enjoy this park, including hiking, biking, taking in sunrises and sunsets, visiting the Fossil Preparation Lab or one of the visitor centers, stargazing, horseback riding, a GPS scavenger hunt, or even planning to visit during the annual Astronomy Festival.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Texas
Big Bend National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Spotlight: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
This park is full of natural wonders, including mountains, canyons, deserts, white dunes, amazing vistas, and even fall colors. It also protects the world’s most extensive Permian fossil reef and contains the four highest peaks in Texas!
The park is also steeped in history worth learning and exploring. Visitors shouldn’t miss the Frijole Ranch House, which served many uses before being turned into the Frijole Ranch Cultural Museum, which is on the National Register of Historic Sites.
Visitors can enjoy hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, birding, and wildlife viewing. For October and November visitors, the flora puts on a spectacular color show that’s worth the visit alone.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
United States Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands National Park
This park covers over two-thirds of the island of St. John and includes Cinnamon Bay Beach, Francis Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Maho Bay Beach, and Trunk Bay Beach. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling the coral reefs and might even spot turtles in the seagrass around Francis Bay and Maho Bay Beaches, as well as scuba diving, kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing.
The park is much more than just beautiful beaches though! There are several significant prehistoric sites, historical ruins, and a wealth of cultural stories, including the Taino people. Visitors can also learn how sugar used to dominate island life. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, birding, camping, and the archaeological history. You can even take an island safari tour!
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Utah
Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Zion National Park
Spotlight: Zion National Park
This park is absolutely enchanting. I visited it for the first time over 25 years ago and still have incredibly vivid memories of my time there. The sandstone cliffs are truly spectacular. The park is located on the edge of the Colorado Plateau. The rock layers have formed the “Grand Staircase”, several colorful cliffs from Bryce Canyon to the Grand Canyon. National park enthusiasts will be interested in know that the bottom layer of rock at Bryce Canyon is the top level at Zion, while the bottom layer of rock at Zion is the top layer of rock at the Grand Canyon. It’s amazing to see how it’s all connected – and even more amazing to visit all three in one long trip!
The paths are steeped in history from ancient native people to the pioneers. Visitors can learn more about that human history at the Human History Museum, which is a regular stop on the shuttle system for most of the year. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, backpacking, canyoneering, climbing, biking, horseback riding, birding, camping, river trips, stargazing, and more.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Virginia
Shenandoah National Park
This park is just 75 miles outside of the Washington DC and covers over 200,000 acres of protected land. It’s full of breathtaking vistas, wildflowers, waterfalls, and wooded hollows that will enchant its visitors.
The land shows its first traces of humans 8-9000 years ago and has had an interesting human story ever since – from native hunting grounds to European hunters and trappers to settlers to vacation resorts to a national park.
Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, backcountry camping, driving Skyline Drive, watching wildlife, and more.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Washington
Mount Rainier National Park
North Cascades National Park
Olympic National Park
Spotlight: Mount Rainier National Park
This park spans 235,625 acres, with 97$ of the park being designated as true wilderness. There are over 260 miles of maintained trails and 147 miles of road for visitors to enjoy seasonally.
The namesake of the park, Mount Rainier, is the main attraction of this park and an icon of the state’s landscape. Mount Rainier is an active volcano with the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S. and ascends to 14,410 feet above sea level.
Visitors can enjoy hiking, climbing, biking, fishing, boating, exploring waterfalls, taking scenic drives, and going on citizen ranger quests, as well as snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling in the winter.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.
Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Spotlight: Yellowstone National Park
There’s nothing like a visit to the country’s first national park and the geological wonders that await there. The park is over 2.2 million acres, so plan on making it a visit that counts!
The park is full of amazing hydrothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, mud pots, travertine terraces, and fumaroles. Geysers are rare and there are more in Yellowstone than anywhere else on Earth! Visitors don’t want to miss the most famous geyser of all, Old Faithful, but should also make sure to check for the rare opportunity to see an eruption at the Riverside Geyser, which sometimes forms a rainbow in its mist, and Steamboat Geyser, the largest in the entire world and reaching heights of 400 feet! The park is also home to incredible waterfalls and one of the most intact temperate ecosystems in the world.
In addition to exploring the thermal basins, visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, watching wildlife, and guided tours, as well as snowshoeing, skiing, and snowmobiling in the winter months.
Ready to explore a National Parks vacation? Click here.