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NATIONAL PARKS OF THE UNITED STATES


Bryce Canyon National Park Half Dome, Yosemite National Park Morning Glory Pool, Yellowstone National Park

Welcome to the Bigroads.com guide to the 63 official national parks of the United States! The intent of this page is to provide an overview of our beloved national parks and share tips on how to visit them. Take note that this page only covers national parks; it does not cover other federally-managed parks and properties, including national monuments, national recreation areas, or national forests.

Author/Contributor: Greg Parsons

 OVERVIEW


You've probably heard this before, and I certainly agree with it: The national parks are our greatest idea. Our government has somehow managed to preserve and protect some of the most beautiful places on earth. Each of our national parks is worthy of our time and protection. In addition to the information presented below, I highly recommend purchasing these two guidebooks: Your Guide to the National Parks and the Moon USA National Parks

Here is a handy chart that presents the highlights of what to expect from each of the national parks. The "Wow Factor" is simply my opinionated rating for how much the scenery and/or experience of the national park is likely to impress you.

NATIONAL
PARK
U.S.
STATE(S)
WOW FACTOR CROWD
LEVELS
GATEWAY
TOWN(S)
THIS NATIONAL PARK IS
KNOWN / FAMOUS FOR:
POPULAR ACTIVITIES IN THIS NATIONAL PARK INCLUDE: GUIDE
BOOK
ACADIA Maine 9/10 Extremely High Bar Harbor (ME) ocean views, rugged coastlines, fjords, carriage roads, beaches, bald mountains scenic driving, day hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, sea-kayaking, horseback riding Book #1
Book #2
AMERICAN SAMOA territory of American Samoa 7/10 Low Pago Pago
(American Samoa)
rain forests, coral sand beaches, coastal scenery SCUBA diving, snorkeling, day hiking, beaches Book #1
Book #2
ARCHES Utah 10/10
Extremely High Moab (UT) natural arches, balanced rocks, sandstone towers scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking (off-trail), 4WDing, rock climbing, stargazing, road biking, historical sites, canyoneering Book #1
Book #2
BADLANDS South Dakota 10/10
High Keystone (SD), Rapid City (SD), and Wall (SD) mixed-grass prairies, fossil beds, wildlife viewing, colorful rock formations & badlands day hiking, backpacking (off-trail), scenic driving, wildlife-viewing, stargazing Book #1
Book #2
BIG BEND Texas 8/10
Moderate Terlingua (TX) and Alpine (TX) desert wilderness, limestone canyons scenic driving, 4WD-ing, day hiking, backpacking, backpacking (off-trail), float trips, road biking, mountain biking (on dirt roads) Book #1
Book #2
BISCAYNE Florida 7/10 Moderate Homestead (FL) and Miami (FL) mangrove forests, aquamarine waters, coral reefs, emerald islands, shipwrecks SCUBA diving, snorkeling, boat tours Book #1
Book #2
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON Colorado 7/10
Low Montrose (CO) and Ouray (CO) deep & rugged canyon day hiking, rock climbing Book #1
Book #2
BRYCE CANYON Utah 10/10
Very High Panguitch (UT) and Escalante (UT) hoodoos / spires, colorful rock formations day hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, stargazing Book #1
Book #2
CANYONLANDS Utah 10/10
Moderate Moab (UT) buttes, mesas, desert scenery, backcountry roads, pictographs, petroglyphs, canyons, spires, colorful rock formations, natural arches scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, 4WD-ing, mountain biking, historical sites, whitewater rafting, canyoneering Book #1
Book #2
CAPITOL REEF Utah 9/10
Moderate Torrey (UT) canyons, buttes, domes, sandstone rock formations, historic orchards scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, 4WD-ing, rock climbing, mountain biking, historical sites, canyoneering Book #1
Book #2
CARLSBAD CAVERNS New Mexico 9/10 Moderate Carlsbad (NM) caves, bat-viewing cave tours, day hiking, wildlife viewing Book #1
Book #2
CHANNEL ISLANDS California 8/10 Moderate Ventura (CA) rocky coastlines, sea caves, volcanic islands sea-kayaking, day hiking, backpacking, backpacking (off-trail), boat tours, SCUBA diving, boat tours Book #1
Book #2
CONGAREE South Carolina 7/10 Low Columbia (SC) floodplains, old growth forest canoeing/kayaking, day hiking, bird-watching Book #1
Book #2
CRATER LAKE Oregon 10/10
High Medford (OR), Ashland (OR), and Klamath Falls (OR) alpine lake, caldera scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, road biking, boat tours Book #1
Book #2
CUYAHOGA VALLEY Ohio 7/10 Very High Cleveland (OH) and Akron (OH) waterfalls, rail trails, a scenic railroad scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, road biking, horseback riding Book #1
Book #2
DEATH VALLEY California & Nevada 9/10
Moderate Pahrump (NV), Ridgecrest (CA), and Lone Pine (CA) extreme heat, lowest point in North America, desert scenery, colorful rock formations, sand dunes scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, 4WD-ing, road biking, mountain biking, horseback riding, historical sites Book #1
Book #2
DENALI Alaska 10/10
High Talkeetna (AK) glaciers, mountain scenery, wildlife viewing, tallest mountain in North America, alpine tundra scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking (off-trail), mountaineering, scenic flights, whitewater rafting, mtn biking (on roads, not trails), wildlife viewing Book #1
Book #2
DRY TORTUGAS Florida 9/10 Low Key West (FL) military fort, marine life, shipwrecks SCUBA diving, snorkeling, boat tours, sea-kayaking Book #1
Book #2
EVERGLADES Florida 8/10 High Homestead (FL) and Miami (FL) tropical wetlands, wildlife viewing, sawgrass marshes, cypress swamps, mangrove forests canoeing/kayaking, day hiking, bird-watching, fishing, boat tours Book #1
Book #2
GATES OF THE ARCTIC Alaska 10/10 Low Fairbanks (AK) wildlife viewing, mountain scenery, alpine tundra, roadless wilderness backpacking (off-trail), wildlife viewing, scenic flights, float trips Book #1
Book #2
GATEWAY ARCH Missouri 5/10 Very High St. Louis (MO) historical sites/monuments historical sites, paved walking paths Book #1
Book #2
GLACIER BAY Alaska 10/10 Moderate Gustavus (AK) glaciers, icebergs, mountain scenery boat tours, sea-kayaking, day hiking, backpacking (off-trail),whitewater rafting, fishing, mountaineering Book #1
Book #2
GLACIER Montana 10/10
Extremely High Whitefish (MT) and West Glacier (MT) glaciers, mountain scenery, wildlife viewing, alpine lakes, historic lodges scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, boat tours Book #1
Book #2
GRAND CANYON Arizona 10/10
Extremely High Flagstaff (AZ) and Williams (AZ) canyons, wildlife viewing, desert scenery, exposed rock layers, wildlife viewing scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, backpacking (off-trail), whitewater rafting, horseback riding, helicopter tours, wildlife viewing, 4WD-ing Book #1
Book #2
GRAND TETON Wyoming 10/10
Very High Jackson (WY) alpine scenery, meandering rivers, glacial lakes, historic ranches, cabins & homesteads, jagged peaks scenic driving, road biking, day hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering, horseback riding, float trips, mountain biking, fishing, wildlife viewing Book #1
Book #2
GREAT BASIN Nevada 8/10 Low Ely (NV) caves, alpine lakes, bristlecone pine trees, desert scenery day hiking, backpacking, cave tours, stargazing, spelunking Book #1
Book #2
GREAT SAND DUNES Colorado 8/10 Moderate Alamosa (CO) sand dunes, mountain scenery day hiking, backpacking (off-trail), sand-boarding, 4WD-ing, horseback riding Book #1
Book #2
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS Tennessee & North Carolina 8/10 Extremely High Gatlinburg (TN), Pigeon Forge (TN), Sevierville (TN), Townsend (TN), and Cherokee (NC) biodiversity, scenic views, smoky/hazy views, waterfalls, wildflowers, historic cabins, mills & homesteads scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, historical sites Book #1
Book #2
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS Texas 7/10 Low Carlsbad (NM) desert wilderness, scenic views, fall foliage day hiking, backpacking, horseback riding Book #1
Book #2
HALEAKALA Hawaii
(Maui)
10/10 High Kula (HI) volcanic scenery / landscapes, sub-tropical rainforests, waterfalls, a dormant volcano scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, road biking, stargazing Book #1
Book #2
HAWAI'I VOLCANOES Hawaii
(Big Island)
10/10 Very High Hilo (HI) volcanic scenery, lava flow, earth's largest mountain scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, road biking Book #1
Book #2
HOT SPRINGS Arkansas 5/10 Very High Hot Springs (AR) historic bathhouses, natural hot springs hot springs baths, day hiking, historical sites Book #1
Book #2
INDIANA DUNES Indiana 6/10 High Porter (IN) Lake Michigan beaches and sand dunes beaches, bird-watching, hiking, cross-country skiing, cycling Book #1
Book #2
ISLE ROYALE Michigan 7/10 Low Houghton (MI) remote island, unspoiled wilderness, rocky coastlines day hiking, backpacking, SCUBA diving, sea-kayaking, boat tours Book #1
Book #2
JOSHUA TREE California 8/10 High Palm Springs (CA) joshua trees, rock boulders, palm oasis, desert scenery, wildflowers scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, 4WD-ing, rock climbing, stargazing, horseback riding, mountain biking (on dirt roads, not trails) Book #1
Book #2
KATMAI Alaska 9/10 Low King Salmon (AK) wildlife viewing, volcanic landscapes wildlife viewing, canoeing/kayaking, day hiking, backpacking (off-trail) Book #1
Book #2
KENAI FJORDS Alaska 10/10 Moderate Seward (AK) glaciers, coastal scenery, mountain scenery, fjords boat tours, sea-kayaking, day hiking, backpacking (off-trail), scenic flights, fishing Book #1
Book #2
KINGS CANYON California 9/10 Moderate Three Rivers (CA) mountain scenery, alpine lakes scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, backpacking (off-trail), rock climbing Book #1
Book #2
KOBUK VALLEY Alaska 8/10 Low Fairbanks (AK) roadless wilderness, wildlife viewing, alpine tundra, sand dunes backpacking (off-trail), scenic flights, wildlife viewing Book #1
Book #2
LAKE CLARK Alaska 10/10 Low Port Alsworth (AK) volcanoes, arctic tundra, temperate rainforests, alpine lakes, mountain scenery backpacking (off-trail), float trips, whitewater rafting, scenic flights, fishing, boat tours, wildlife viewing, mountaineering Book #1
Book #2
LASSEN VOLCANIC California 8/10 Moderate Redding (CA) and Red Bluff (CA) volcanoes, lava tubes, alpine lakes, mudpots, hot springs, alpine meadows, mountain scenery day hiking, backpacking, horseback riding Book #1
Book #2
MAMMOTH CAVE Kentucky 9/10 High Bowling Green (KY) limestone caves cave tours, day hiking, backpacking, canoeing/kayaking, road biking, mountain biking, horseback riding Book #1
Book #2
MESA VERDE Colorado 10/10 High Durango (CO) ancestral Puebloan ruins, kivas, alcoves, cliff dwellings historical sites, day hiking Book #1
Book #2
MOUNT RAINIER Washington 10/10 Very High Ashford (WA) alpine lakes, alpine meadows, wildflowers, glaciers, waterfalls scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, mountaineering Book #1
Book #2
NEW RIVER GORGE West Virginia 6/10 Moderate Fayetteville (WV) wild river, scenic views, New River Gorge Bridge hiking, whitewater rafting, BASE jumping, rock climbing, biking, fishing, scenic driving Book #1
Book #2
NORTH CASCADES Washington 9/10 Low Winthrop (WA) alpine lakes, mountain scenery, glaciers, waterfalls, jagged peaks scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, mountaineering Book #1
Book #2
OLYMPIC Washington 9/10 Very High Port Angeles (WA) glaciers, waterfalls, temperate rain forests, alpine scenery, hot springs, beaches, coastal scenery scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, hot springs Book #1
Book #2
PETRIFIED FOREST Arizona 7/10 Moderate Holbrook (AZ) and Winslow (AZ) petrified wood, desert wilderness, petroglyphs scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking (off-trail), horseback riding, road biking Book #1
Book #2
PINNACLES California 7/10 Low Soledad (CA) oak woodlands, rock spires, talus caves day hiking, rock climbing Book #1
Book #2
REDWOOD California 9/10 Moderate Trinidad (CA) coastal redwood trees, old-growth forest, coastal scenery, oak woodlands day hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, sea-kayaking Book #1
Book #2
ROCKY MOUNTAIN Colorado 9/10 Extremely High Estes Park (CO) and Grand Lake (CO) alpine mountains, wildlife viewing, alpine lakes, wildflowers scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, wildlife viewing Book #1
Book #2
SAGUARO Arizona 8/10 Moderate Tucson (AZ) saguaro cactus / saguaro forests, desert scenery scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, horseback riding Book #1
Book #2
SEQUOIA California 10/10 High Three Rivers (CA) giant sequoia trees, alpine lakes, mountain scenery, caves day hiking, backpacking, backpacking (off-trail), rock climbing, cave tours, horseback riding Book #1
Book #2
SHENANDOAH Virginia 7/10 High Front Royal (VA) and Waynesboro (VA) scenic views, wildlife viewing, waterfalls, wildflowers scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, road biking, horseback riding, rock climbing Book #1
Book #2
THEODORE ROOSEVELT North Dakota 8/10 Moderate Medora (ND) badlands, historic cabins, wildlife viewing, colorful rock formations scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, canoeing/kayaking Book #1
Book #2
VIRGIN ISLANDS Virgin Islands 9/10 Moderate Cruz Bay (St. John Island) white-sand beaches, turquoise water, historic ruins SCUBA diving, snorkeling, day hiking, sea-kayaking, fishing Book #1
Book #2
VOYAGEURS Minnesota 7/10 Moderate International Falls (MN) remote islands & lakes canoeing/kayaking, sea-kayaking, day hiking, fishing, boat tours, boat-accessible camping Book #1
Book #2
WHITE SANDS New Mexico 10/10 Moderate Alamogordo (NM) gypsum sand dunes hiking, picnicking, sand-boarding Book #1
Book #2
WIND CAVE South Dakota 8/10 Moderate Hill City (SD), Hot Springs (SD), and Keystone (SD) caves, badlands, wildlife viewing, ponderosa pine forests, mixed-grass prairies cave tours, day hiking, wildlife viewing Book #1
Book #2
WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS Alaska 10/10 Low McCarthy (AK) mountain scenery, glaciers scenic driving, 4WD-ing, day hiking, backpacking (off-trail), mountaineering, scenic flights, whitewater rafting, fishing Book #1
Book #2
YELLOWSTONE Wyoming 10/10 Extremely High West Yellowstone (MT), Cody (WY), Gardiner (MT), Red Lodge (MT), and Cooke City (MT) geysers, hot springs, thermal activity, wildlife viewing, boiling mud, waterfalls, canyons, historic lodges scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, fishing, wildlife viewing, canoeing/kayaking, road biking, mountain biking (on roads, not trails), hot springs Book #1
Book #2
YOSEMITE California 10/10 Extremely High El Portal (CA), Mariposa (CA), and Lee Vining (CA) granite peaks, waterfalls, historic lodges, alpine lakes, alpine meadows, giant sequoia trees, high camps scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, horseback riding, float trips Book #1
Book #2
ZION Utah 10/10 Extremely High Springdale (UT) and Kanab (UT) slot canyons, colorful rock formations, sandstone cliffs, desert scenery scenic driving, day hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, horseback riding, road biking, canyoneering Book #1
Book #2

 NATIONAL PARK MAP


Here is a map showing the location of all 63 U.S. national parks:

National Parks Map

 TIPS FOR VISITING THE NATIONAL PARKS


★ NPS WEBSITE - The official website of the National Park Service is www.nps.gov. I think this website is very useful for accomplishing the following: (a) obtaining a general understanding of each park, including what the park is protecting and showcasing; (b) learning the basic things to see and do; (c) downloading (and then studying) park and hiking trail maps; (d) understanding the in-park lodging and campgrounds options; (e) reviewing lists/tables of the popular walks and hikes within the parks; (f) understanding permit and/or entry requirements (if any); and (g) reading the 'Park Alerts in Effect' bulletins to understand current closures and other visitor considerations.

★ FACEBOOK PAGES - I highly recommend "liking" the official Facebook pages of as many national parks as possible. These Facebook pages provide many tips on how and when to visit the parks. I personally follow about 20-25 of the national park pages on Facebook.

★ GET INTO THE PARKS EARLY - The vehicle lines to enter national parks can get very long in the middle of the day, especially during peak seasons. Try to enter each national park by 7:00am or 8:00am if you can (or even earlier on weekends). I recommend starting by 6:00am in some of the "super parks" like Yellowstone or Yosemite.

★ LIMITED PARKING - Parking spaces are often limited for some of the best and most popular attractions and trailheads. You’ll want to arrive early or you could risk driving around in circles trying to snag a coveted parking space as someone else is leaving.

★ VISITOR CENTERS - Just about every national park has at least one visitor center. The staff of these visitor centers can answer just about any question you have (and it's likely they've heard your question a hundred times before).

★ ANNUAL NATIONAL PARKS PASS - You should purchase the Annual Parks Pass each year. The cost of the pass is still only $80, and it covers all national parks and most other federally-managed parks and properties, including national monuments, national forests, national historic sites, and national recreation areas. The pass is good for a full twelve months from the date of purchase (in other words, the pass is not calendar-year based). You can often purchase the pass at the park entrance gates and/or visitor centers. You can also purchase them online ahead of time if you are willing to pay a small online processing fee.

★ DO YOUR RESEARCH - Think of national parks like Disney World, meaning you really should do advance research and come up with a visit plan. You can't just show up and hope to figure out what to do in the national parks any more. It's just too overwhelming and in some parks, the crowds are just too intense.

★ PET POLICIES - While many national parks will allow pets in your vehicle and on park roads, very few allow them on hiking trails. In general, pets are not really welcomed visitors to the national parks.

★ ROAD CONDITIONS - Inquire at the visitor center about current dirt road / 4x4 driving conditions. Tell the Visitor Center staff your type of vehicle and ask if they think you’ll be OK based upon your itinerary. Also ask if flat fires are a common problem on the roads you intend to drive (I learned this the hard way in Big Bend National Park). Many of the most scenic sections and corners of national parks are found along or at the end of dirt roads/4x4 roads; these dirt roads vary widely in terms of current conditions.

★ BUY SOME MAPS - Buy the excellent and waterproof National Geographic folding maps for the major national parks that you will be visiting. Make sure that you purchase the latest editions since most receive periodic publishing updates. I like to also supplement these maps with hiking instructions and trail maps from published hiking guidebooks.

★ SHUTTLE BUS SYSTEMS - A few national parks have free shuttle bus systems, and they usually run incredibly well. These shuttle bus systems will typically stop at all major attractions and trailheads. This currently includes Acadia, Bryce, Denali, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Zion.

★ AVOID HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS - You should avoid national parks on holidays and weekends whenever possible, especially the more popular parks like Acadia, Arches, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion.

★ NATIONAL PARK FOOD - Many visitors complain that national park food is low-to-medium quality and overpriced. I've even heard some suggest that national park food is an embarrassment to the United States. Since the in-park food usually isn't all that great, you may want to consider bringing your own food. If you do plan on visiting park restaurants, be aware that they can be extremely crowded, especially during normal lunch and dinner hours. If you will be doing any formal dining (i.e. El Tovar at the Grand Canyon), make sure to make reservations in advance as soon as they become available.

★ VISIT THE NATIONAL PARKS IN WINTER - Consider visiting a national park in winter for winter activities, drop-dead gorgeous scenery, and/or little or no crowds. Many national parks encourage snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. A few national parks (like Yellowstone and Voyageurs) even allow snowmobiling on park roads that are closed to private vehicles in winter.


 PERMIT & RESERVATION POLICIES


Thanks to the internet, many of our national parks are now extremely congested. As popularity increases, so do the number of parks with timed entry and/or permit requirements. It's critical that you understand the permit and entry requirements of each park before you attempt to visit.

I now recommend planning your national park trips a full year in advance. You might be able to get away with making reservations only 3-6 months in advance, but I can tell you that I'm personally not going to risk that for any of the popular parks. I realize that most people don't like planning vacations this far in advance, but it's certainly beneficial.

Timed Entry
An increasing number of national parks now have timed-entry requirements. Arches, Glacier, and Rocky Mountain all had timed-entry rules in 2023. Before you visit one of the premier national parks (aka one of the "super parks"), you should figure out when those permits go on sale and ideally try to grab soon after being released. Example: In 2023, Arches was opening up timed entry reservations one month at a time about 4 months in advance.

Lodging
The demand for inside-the-park lodging is incredible, even though lodges and other overnight facilities are generally very expensive. Many of the lodges open up for reservations 12-13 months in advance. I've tried to book rooms in the Grand Canyon 10 months in advance and I couldn't find the style of room that I wanted. Each lodging facility has different timing windows, and most will describe them on their website. Start looking now for next year!

Camping and Backpacking
Just like lodging, you need to try to book campgrounds or remote backpacking sites several months if not a full year in advance. Some of the more popular campgrounds and backcountry sites will completely sell out in minutes.

Daily Quotas
There are some parking areas and/or trails that now have daily quotas. Examples that come to mind are Angel's Landing and the Subway in Zion, and Half Dome in Yosemite. More locations are likely to be added in the coming years. Generally speaking, a lottery or reservation window for these permits will open 3-6 months in advance of your visit date. Check the NPS.gov website to learn about these requirements now.

First-come, First-served
If you are trying to obtain a first-come, first-served campsite at an national park campground, I wish you the best. You can increase your odds of scoring a car campsite by arriving at the campground between 9:00am-11:00am. Even that may not guarantee you a spot due to high demand though. If you can’t find a campsite within a national park, there are often national forest campgrounds, KOA campgrounds, and/or other private campgrounds within a few miles of the national park boundaries. I would never try to obtain a first-come, first-served campsite on a holiday and maybe not even on a weekend for that matter.

A few national parks do still allow "at-large" camping, where you can show up without a reservation, park your vehicle, and then hike off-trail a certain distance (e.g. 0.5 mile) to set up camp. I would check the NPS.gov website and/or inquire about these options at the park visitor center. In general, only the national parks with relatively low visitation statistics allow this.

 HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I SPEND AT EACH NATIONAL PARK?


It's tough to figure out how much time you should spend at each national park. In the section below, you'll see my recommendations as to how much time a first-time visitor should plan for many of the national parks. If you are an avid hiker, backpacker, and/or 4x4 driving enthusiast, you will probably want to consider adding more days than what I have suggested below. Take note that you don't have to spend this much time in each park; you can spend less and probably still get a good general sense of the park. My recommendations below represent what I wish I had done on my first visit. If you are like most people, PTO/vacation time is usually in short supply and each trip matters.

Acadia: 2-3 days (although I recommend 4-5 days if you are an avid hiker and/or cyclist)
Arches: 2-3 days
Badlands: 1 day
Big Bend: 1-2 days (although I recommend adding more days if you are an avid hiker, backpacker, and/or want to do 4x4 driving or rafting)
Biscayne: 1 day
Black Canyon of the Gunnison: 1 day
Bryce Canyon: 1-2 days
Canyonlands-Island in the Sky District: 1 day (although I recommend 2-3 days if you want to do 4x4 driving, e.g. White Rim Road)
Canyonlands-Needles District: 1 day (although I recommend 2-3 days if you are an avid hiker, backpacker, and/or want to do 4x4 driving)
Capitol Reef: 1-2 days (although I recommend 3-4 days if you are an avid hiker, backpacker, and/or want to do 4x4 driving)
Carlsbad Caverns: 1 day
Congaree: 1 day
Crater Lake: 1-2 days
Cuyahoga Valley: 1-2 days
Death Valley: 2-3 days (although I recommend 4-5 days if you are an avid hiker and/or want to do 4x4 driving)
Denali: 2-3 days (although I recommend adding more days if you want to maximize your chances of seeing the mountain)
Dry Tortugas: 1 day
Everglades: 1-2 days (although I recommend adding more days if you are an avid paddler)
Gateway Arch: ½ day
Glacier: 2-3 days (although I recommend 4-5 days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Grand Canyon: 1-2 days (although I recommend 3-4 days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Grand Teton: 2-3 days (although I recommend 4-5 days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Great Basin: 1-2 days
Great Sand Dunes: 1 day
Great Smoky Mountains: 2-3 days (although I recommend 3-4 days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Guadalupe Mountains: 1 day (although I recommend 2-3 days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Haleakala: 1 day (although I recommend 2-3 days for those that want to go backpacking)
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes: 1-2 days
Hot Springs: 1 day
Indiana Dunes: 1 day
Isle Royale: 1-2 days (although I recommend adding more days if you enjoy backpacking, paddling, and/or boating)
Joshua Tree: 1-2 days
Kings Canyon: 1 day (although I recommend adding more days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Lassen Volcanic: 1-2 days
Mammoth Cave: 1 day
Mesa Verde: 1-2 days
Mount Rainier: 2-3 days (although I recommend adding more days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
New River Gorge: 1-2 days
North Cascades: 1 day (although I recommend adding more days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Olympic: 2-3 days (although I recommend adding more days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Petrified Forest: 1 day
Pinnacles: 1 day
Redwood: 1-2 days (although I recommend adding more days to visit nearby CA state parks, which are as good if not better than Redwood)
Rocky Mountain: 2-3 days (although I recommend adding more days if you are an avid hiker)
Saguaro: 1 day (although I recommend two if you want to thoroughly explore both the East and West units)
Sequoia: 1-2 days (although I recommend adding more days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Shenandoah: 1-2 days (although I recommend 3-4 days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Theodore Roosevelt: 1-2 days
Virgin Islands: 2-3 days
Voyageurs: 1-2 days
White Sands: 1 day
Wind Cave: 1 day
Yellowstone: 4-5 days (although I recommend 6-7 days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Yosemite: 3-4 days (although I recommend 5-6 days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)
Zion: 2-3 days (although I recommend 4-5 days if you are an avid hiker and/or backpacker)

 TOP NATIONAL PARKS IN THE U.S.


Here are my choices for the top national parks in the U.S. Although these are my personal favorites, keep in mind that all of our national parks are worth visiting. Take note that I haven't visited all the national parks in Hawaii and Alaska yet, and it's possible some of those may squeeze themselves into this list eventually.

Arches
Badlands
Bryce Canyon
Canyonlands
Crater Lake
Death Valley
Denali
Glacier
Grand Canyon
Grand Teton
Mount Rainier
Wrangell-St. Elias
Yellowstone
Yosemite
Zion

 TOP 10 NATIONAL PARK GATEWAY TOWNS


If you can't stay within the actual national park itself (aka inside-the-park lodging), consider staying in one of these great national park gateway towns:

Bar Harbor, Maine - near Acadia National Park
Durango, Colorado - near Mesa Verde National Park
Estes Park, Colorado - near Rocky Mountain National Park
Jackson, Wyoming - near Grand Teton National Park
Moab, Utah - near Arches and Canyonlands National Park
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Port Angeles, Washington - near Olympic National Park
Springdale, Utah - near Zion National Park
West Yellowstone, Montana - near Yellowstone National Park
Whitefish, Montana - near Glacier National Park

My favorite gateway town is Moab in Utah. In fact, it's probably my favorite adventure town in the U.S.

 NATIONAL PARK LODGING


Many of the national parks offer inside-the-park lodging. In general, the demand for this lodging is fierce and prices are quite expensive. I've tried to list every known inside-the-park lodging in the national parks below. For many of these lodging facilities, you should attempt to make reservations a full year (or in some cases, 13 months) in advance.

Badlands - Cedar Pass Lodge
Big Bend - Chisos Mountain Lodge
Bryce Canyon - Bryce Canyon Lodge
Crater Lake - Cabins at Mazama Village, Crater Lake Lodge
Cuyahoga Valley - Inn at Brandywine Falls, Silver Fern Bed and Breakfast, Stanford House
Death Valley - Furnace Creek Resort, Panamint Springs Resort, Ranch at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells Village
Denali - Camp Denali
Glacier - Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins, Glacier Park Lodge, Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier Hotel, Motel Lake McDonald, Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins
Glacier (requires hiking) - Granite Park Chalet, Sperry Chalet
Glacier Bay - Glacier Bay Lodge
Grand Canyon (North Rim) - Grand Canyon Lodge
Grand Canyon (South Rim) - Bright Angel Lodge, El Tovar Hotel, Kachina Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Yavapai Lodge
Grand Canyon (requires hiking) - Phantom Ranch
Grand Teton - Colter Bay Village, Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, Signal Mountain Lodge, Spur Ranch, Triangle X Guest Ranch
Great Smoky Mountains (requires hiking) - LeConte Lodge
Haleakala (requires hiking)- Wilderness Cabins
Hawai'i Volcanoes - Volcano House
Isle Royale - Rock Harbor Lodge (requires a boat/ferry ride)
Kenai Fjords - Wilderness Cabins (requires a boat/ferry or plane ride)
Kings Canyon - Cedar Grove Lodge, John Muir Lodge
Lassen Volcanic - Drakesbad Guest Ranch
Mammoth Cave - Mammoth Cave Hotel
Mesa Verde - Far View Lodge
Mount Rainier - National Park Inn, Paradise Inn
North Cascades - Ross Lake Resort
Olympic - Kalaloch Lodge, Lake Crescent Lodge, Lake Quinault Lodge, Log Cabin Resort, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
Sequoia - Grant Grove Cabins, Wuksachi Lodge
Sequoia (requires hiking) - Bearpaw High Sierra Camp
Shenandoah - Big Meadows Lodge, Lewis Mountain Cabins, Skyland Resort
Virgin Islands - Cinnamon Bay Campground Cottages, Maho Bay Camps, Concordia Eco-Tents
Voyageurs - Kettle Falls Hotel & Resort (requires a boat/ferry ride)
Wrangell-St. Elias - Kennicott Glacier Lodge
Yellowstone - Canyon Lodge and Cabins, Grant Village, Lake Lodge Cabins, Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins, Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Lodge Cabins, Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins, Roosevelt Lodge Cabins
Yosemite - Ahwahnee, Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, Wawona Hotel, White Wolf Lodge, Yosemite Lodge
Yosemite (requires hiking) - High Sierra Camps
Zion - Zion Lodge

 BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN THE NATIONAL PARKS


The national parks include some of the most scenic drives in the U.S. Here are my favorite scenic drives in the national parks. While most of these roads are paved, a few are well-maintained dirt/gravel roads. None of these roads require a 4x4 vehicle (except perhaps in winter).

Arches National Park roads
Badlands Loop Road, Badlands - this road may be temporarily closed in winter if road conditions are deemed unsafe
Dunes Drive, White Sands
Generals Highway, Sequoia
Glacier Point Road, Yosemite
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier - most of this road is closed in winter
Hurricane Ridge Road, Olympic - this road may be temporarily closed in winter if road conditions are deemed unsafe
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, Kings Canyon
Kolob Terrace Road, Zion - this road may be temporarily closed in winter if road conditions are deemed unsafe
North Cascades Scenic Byway, North Cascades - most of this road is closed in winter (e.g. WA-20)
Park Loop Road, Acadia - a large portion of this road is closed in winter
Redwood Highway/US-101, Redwoods
Rim Drive, Crater Lake - a large portion of this road is closed in winter
Saguaro National Park roads
Skyline Drive, Shenandoah - this road may be temporarily closed in winter if road conditions are deemed unsafe
Teton Park Road and/or US-26/89/191, Grand Teton - most of Teton Park Road is closed in winter
Tioga Road/CA-120, Yosemite - this seasonal road is generally open from June to September
Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain - this seasonal road is generally open from June to September
UT-9, Zion
Yellowstone National Park roads - most roads in this national park are closed in winter
Yosemite Valley Loop Road, Yosemite - this road may be temporarily closed in winter if road conditions are deemed unsafe

For my list of the best scenic drives in the country, click here.

 TOP DAY HIKES IN THE NATIONAL PARKS


Here is a list of many of the premier day hikes in the national parks. Take note that some of these hikes are extremely challenging and a few require permits.

Acadia - Beehive Trail
Acadia - Precipice Trail
Arches - Devil's Garden loop
Badlands - Notch Trail
Big Bend - Emory Peak
Bryce Canyon - Queens Garden/Navajo loop
Canyonlands - Chesler Park semi-loop from the Elephant Hill trailhead
Crater Lake - Garfield Peak Trail
Glacier - Highline Trail/Grinnell Glacier Overlook
Grand Canyon - Bright Angel Trail down to the 3-mile Resthouse
Grand Canyon - South Kaibab Trail down to Ooh Aah Point (a park shuttle required)
Grand Teton - Cascade Canyon to Lake Solitude
Great Smoky Mountains - Alum Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte
Guadalupe Mountains - Guadalupe Peak
Kenai Fjords - Exit Glacier/Harding Icefield Trail
Mount Rainier - Skyline Trail
North Cascades - Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm
Rocky Mountain - Longs Peak
Rocky Mountain - Sky Pond/Lake of Glass/The Loch/Glacier Gorge
Sequoia - Congress Trail
Shenandoah - Old Rag
Yellowstone - Upper Geyser Basin (including Old Faithful)
Yosemite - Mist Trail/Vernal Fall/Nevada Fall (tip: you can also add Half Dome if you obtain a permit)
Zion - Angels Landing (permit required)
Zion - Zion Narrows (aka 'Virgin River Narrows' or 'The Narrows')

For my list of the top 25 national park day hikes, click here.
For my list of the top 50 national park day hikes, click here.

 BEST NATIONAL PARKS FOR BACKPACKING


Roughly half of our national parks offer backpacking opportunities on maintained trails. In my opinion, these are the premier backpacking trails in our national parks:

Big Bend - e.g. Outer Mountain Loop
Canyonlands-Needles District - e.g. Chesler Park/Joint Trail/Druid Arch
Capitol Reef - e.g. Halls Creek Narrows, Lower Muley Twist, Upper Muley Twist
Glacier - e.g. Granite Park Chalet, Sperry Chalet, Highline Trail, Many Glacier Loop, St. Mary to Lake McDonald
Grand Canyon - e.g. South Kaibab Trail/Bright Angel Trail Loop
Grand Teton - e.g. Teton Crest Trail
Great Smoky Mountains - e.g. Appalachian Trail, Big Creek Trail/Hemphill Bald
Haleakala
Hawai'i Volcanoes
Isle Royale - e.g. Greenstone Ridge Trail
Kings Canyon - e.g. Rae Lakes Loop
Mount Rainier - e.g. Wonderland Trail
North Cascades - e.g. Desolation Peak, Gothic Basin, Hannegan Peak/Copper Ridge
Olympic - e.g. Enchanted Valley, Hoh River Trail, North Wilderness Beach, Royal Basin, Seven Lakes Basin Loop, Shi Shi Beach, 3rd Beach
Sequoia - e.g. High Sierra Trail, Rae Lakes Loop
Yellowstone - e.g. Bechler River Trail, Dunanda Falls, Heart Lake, Shoshone Lake, Speciman Ridge, High Lake Loop
Yosemite - e.g. John Muir Trail, High Sierra Camps
Zion - e.g. Virgin River Narrows, West Rim Trail

 BEST NATIONAL PARKS FOR OFF-TRAIL BACKPACKING


Some of the national parks allow off-trail or 'at large' backpacking opportunities. Here are the best national parks for off-trail backpacking:

Badlands
Channel Islands
Denali
Gates of the Arctic
Glacier Bay
Grand Canyon
Great Sand Dunes
Kenai Fjords
Kings Canyon
Kobuk Valley
Lake Clark
Petrified Forest
Sequoia
Theodore Roosevelt
Wrangell-St. Elias

 BEST NATIONAL PARKS FOR WATERFALLS


You can see some of the finest waterfalls in America within the national parks. Take note that some of the waterfalls listed below lie just outside of the national park boundary.

Cuyahoga Valley - e.g. Blue Hen Falls, Brandywine Falls, Buttermilk Falls
Glacier - e.g. Apikuni Falls, Bird Woman Falls, Running Eagle Falls, Saint Mary Falls
Grand Canyon - e.g. Deer Creek Falls, Ribbon Falls
Grand Teton - e.g. Hidden Falls
Great Smoky Mountains - e.g. Abrams Falls, Grotto Falls, Indian Creek Falls, Laurel Falls, Rainbow Falls, Ramsey Cascades
Haleakala - e.g. Waimoku Falls, Falls At Makahiku
Katmai - e.g. Brooks Falls (this waterfall is famous for attracting grizzly bears)
Mount Rainier - e.g. Comet Falls, Myrtle Falls, Narada Falls, Spray Falls
Olympic - e.g. Madison Creek Falls, Marymere Falls, Murhut Falls, Sol Duc Falls
Rocky Mountain - e.g. Adams Falls, Alberta Falls, Chasm Falls, Ouzel Falls
Shenandoah - e.g. Dark Hollow Falls, Whiteoak Canyon Falls
Yellowstone - e.g. Dunanda Falls, Fairy Falls, Gibbon Falls, Kepler Cascades, Lewis Falls, Lower Falls, Moose Falls, Mystic Falls, Osprey Falls, Tower Fall, Undine Falls, Union Falls, and Upper Falls
Yosemite - e.g. Bridalveil Falls, Horsetail Fall, Illilouette Falls, Nevada Fall, Ribbon Fall, Vernal Fall, Yosemite Falls

The two best national parks for waterfalls are Yellowstone and Yosemite. They both contain some of the finest waterfalls on Earth. The waterfalls of Yellowstone flow throughout the spring/summer/fall seasons, but many of the falls in Yosemite often dry up by early-to-mid summer.

 BEST NATIONAL PARKS FOR WILDLIFE VIEWING


Many of our national parks offer outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities. Here is a list of what visitors often see for wildlife. Take note that I've only listed animals that you have at least a decent chance of seeing.

Badlands - bison, prairie dog, bighorn sheep, pronghorn (aka antelope)
Biscayne - manatees
Carlsbad Caverns - Brazilian free-tailed bats
Channel Islands - whales, seals, sea lions
Denali - brown bear (aka grizzly), moose, dall sheep, wolves
Everglades - alligators, manatees, hundreds of species of birds (note: spotting crocodiles and Florida panthers is extremely rare)
Glacier - brown bear (aka grizzly), mountain goat, moose
Glacier Bay - whales
Grand Canyon - elk, mule deer
Grand Teton - elk, mule deer, moose; bison, brown bear (aka grizzly), and black bear are less commonly seen
Great Smoky Mountains - black bear, elk, white-tailed deer
Isle Royale - moose (gray wolves are far less commonly seen)
Katmai -brown bear (aka grizzly)
Kobuk Valley - brown bear (aka grizzly), wolves, moose, caribou
Olympic - elk
Lake Clark - brown bear (aka grizzly), wolves, moose, dalls sheep, caribou
Redwood - elk
Rocky Mountain - elk, moose, bighorn sheep, yellow-bellied marmot
Sequoia - black bear
Shenandoah - black bear, white-tailed deer
Theodore Roosevelt - bison, prairie dog, feral/wild horses
Voyageurs - moose, bald eagle (gray wolves are far less commonly seen)
Wind Cave - bison, prairie dogs, pronghorn (aka antelope)
Yellowstone - bison, black bear, brown bear (aka grizzly), elk, mule deer, wolves, bighorn sheep, mountain goats
Yosemite - black bear

You are pretty much guaranteed to see wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. Very rarely would someone visit Yellowstone and fail to see at least some wildlife (e.g. bison). On average, I believe I've seen a bear for roughly every 3-4 days that I've spent in Yellowstone National Park.

 BEST NATIONAL PARKS FOR ROCK CLIMBING


These national parks are generally considered the premier parks for rock climbing:

Acadia
Arches
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Canyonlands
Capitol Reef
Grand Teton
Joshua Tree
Kings Canyon
Pinnacles
Rocky Mountain
Sequoia
Shenandoah
Yosemite - e.g. El Capitan, Half Dome
Zion

 BEST NATIONAL PARKS FOR MOUNTAINEERING


These national parks are generally considered the best parks for mountaineering:

Denali
Glacier
Glacier Bay
Grand Teton
Kenai Fjords
Lake Clark
Mount Rainier
North Cascades
Olympic
Wrangell-St. Elias

 BEST NATIONAL PARKS FOR 4X4 DRIVING


There are only a few national parks that offer good 4x4 driving opportunities. Here are the best national parks for 4x4 driving:

Arches - e.g. Salt Flat Road, Willow Springs
Big Bend - e.g. Black Gap 4x4 Trail, Old Maverick Road, Old Ore Road
Canyonlands - e.g. White Rim Road (100 miles long), Devils Lane, Elephant Hill Road, driving in the Maze District
Capitol Reef - e.g. Cathedral Valley
Death Valley - e.g. Inyo Mine/Echo Pass
Grand Canyon - e.g. Toroweap
Great Basin - e.g. Lexington Arch Road
Great Sand Dunes - e.g. Medano Pass Road
Joshua Tree - e.g. Geology Tour Road
Rocky Mountain - e.g. Old Fall River Road
Wrangell-St. Elias - e.g. Nabesna Road

The southern districts of Badlands National Park may also offer decent 4x4 driving, but I haven't driven them yet.

 BEST NATIONAL PARKS FOR PADDLING


Explore the water of the lakes, rivers, and/or oceans of these national parks:

Acadia - sea-kayaking
Channel Islands - sea-kayaking
Canyonlands - canoeing, kayaking, or floating on the Green River or Colorado River
Congaree - canoeing or kayaking on Cedar Creek
Dry Tortugas - sea-kayaking
Everglades - canoeing/kayaking on the Wilderness Waterway or in areas along the Gulf Coast and/or in the Flamingo area
Glacier Bay - sea-kayaking
Isle Royale - sea-kayaking
Katmai - canoeing/kayaking
Kenai Fjords - sea-kayaking
Mammoth Cave - canoeing/kayaking on the Green and/or Nolin Rivers
Theodore Roosevelt - canoeing/kayaking on the Little Missouri River
Virgin Islands - sea-kayaking
Voyageurs - sea-kayaking or canoeing/kayaking
Yellowstone - canoeing/kayaking on Yellowstone Lake

 BEST NATIONAL PARKS FOR WHITEWATER RAFTING / FLOAT TRIPS


These national parks all offer whitewater rafting and/or float trips. Take note that sections of some of these rivers lie just outside of the national park boundary.

Big Bend - Rio Grande
Canyonlands - Colorado River, Green River
Denali - Nenana River, Talkeetna River, Sixmile Creek
Gates of the Arctic - Alatna River, John River, Kobuk River, Noatak River, N. Fork Koyukuk River, Tinayguk River
Glacier - Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead River
Glacier Bay - Alsek River, Tatshenshini River
Grand Canyon - Colorado River
Grand Teton - Snake River
Lake Clark - Tlikakila River, Mulchatna River, Chilikadrotna River
North Cascades - Skagit River
Olympics - Elwha River, Hoh River, Sol Duc River
Wrangell-St. Elias - Nizina River, Kennicott River, Chitina River, Copper River
Sequoia - Kaweak River
Yellowstone - Gallatin River, Yellowstone River, Madison River
Yosemite - Merced River, Tuolumne River

 CLASSIC ADVENTURES IN THE NATIONAL PARKS


Here is a list of many of the classic adventures in the U.S. national parks:

Acadia - cross-country skiing on the (seasonally-closed) park roads and/or the park carriage roads
Acadia - cycle some of the 45-miles of (vehicle-free) carriage roads using a hybrid or mountain bike
Acadia - hike the Beehive Trail using its iron rungs
Acadia - hike the Precipice Trail using its iron rungs (typically opens in mid-August each year)
Acadia - rock climbing on the Otter Cliffs
American Samoa - go SCUBA diving or snorkeling
Arches - day hike the entire Devils Garden Loop
Arches - research and then hike to off-trail natural arches (e.g. Cottonwood Wash)
Big Bend - day hike to the summit of Emory Peak
Big Bend - float the Rio Grande River (e.g. through Santa Elena Canyon)
Big Bend - take a 4x4 drive (e.g. Black Gap 4x4 Trail, Old Maverick Road, Old Ore Road)
Biscayne - go SCUBA diving or snorkeling
Black Canyon - take steep scramble down to the edge of the Gunnison River
Black Canyon - whitewater kayak the Gunnison River (experts only)
Bryce Canyon - day hike down into the canyon (and then back up)
Canyonlands - backpack through the Needles District
Canyonlands - float down the Green River
Canyonlands - hike through the wild and remote Maze District
Canyonlands - take a 4x4 drive or mountain bike the 100-mile long White Rim Road
Capitol Reef - day hike some remote slot canyons
Capitol Reef - take a 4x4 drive through Cathedral Valley
Carlsbad Caverns - take a guided tour of the rugged Spider Cave
Channel Islands - go SCUBA diving or snorkeling
Channel Islands - go sea-kayaking to explore sea caves
Congaree - canoe or kayak Cedar Creek
Crater Lake - cross-country skiing on West Rim Drive
Crater Lake - cycle Rim Drive (before it opens to vehicles for the season)
Cuyahoga Valley - cycle the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail
Death Valley - day hike to the summit of Telescope Peak
Death Valley - take a 4x4 drive (e.g. Inyo Mine, Racetrack Playa, etc.)
Denali - climb to the summit of the tallest peak in North America (this is an extreme mountaineering adventure)
Denali - whitewater raft the Nenana River
Dry Tortugas - go SCUBA diving or snorkeling
Everglades - canoe or kayak the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway
Everglades - cycle past alligators on the 15-mile paved road loop in Shark Valley (rentals available)
Everglades - take a guided air boat tour
Glacier - explore the backcountry on a backpacking trip
Glacier - whitewater raft the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River
Glacier Bay - sea-kayak amongst glaciers and icebergs
Grand Canyon - backpack down to the Colorado River (e.g. South Kaibab Trail > Phantom Ranch > Bright Angel Trail loop)
Grand Canyon - take a 4x4 drive (e.g. Kaibab Plateau, Toroweap, etc.)
Grand Canyon - ride a mule down to the Colorado River
Grand Canyon - whitewater raft on the Colorado River
Great Basin - day hike to the summit of Wheeler Peak
Grand Teton - climb to the summit of Grand Teton (mountaineering/rock-climbing required)
Grand Teton - explore the backcountry on a backpacking trip
Great Sand Dunes - climb the tallest sand dune in the park (Star Dune)
Great Sand Dunes - go sand-boarding (aka sand-sledding)
Great Sand Dunes - take a 4x4 drive on Medano Pass Primitive Road
Great Smoky Mountains - backpack on the Appalachian Trail
Great Smoky Mountains - backpack to LeConte Lodge
Guadalupe Mountains - hike to the summit of Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas
Haleakala - cycle down a volcano
Isle Royale - go remote boat camping or backpacking on Isle Royale
Isle Royale - go SCUBA diving to see shipwrecks
Joshua - go rock climbing or bouldering (the park has hundreds of routes)
Kenai Fjords - sea-kayak the fjords of the Kenai Peninsula
Kings Canyon - explore the backcountry on a backpacking trip
Lake Clark - take a whitewater rafting expedition
Mammoth Cave - go spelunking on the Wild Cave Tour
Mount Rainier - backpack some or all of the 93-mile Wonderland Trail
Mount Rainier - climb to the summit of Mt. Rainier (mountaineering required; guided trips available)
New River Gorge - go rock climbing (the park has many routes)
New River Gorge - whitewater rafting on the Gauley River
North Cascades - go mountaineering or backpacking in the backcountry
Olympic - climb to the summit of Mt. Olympus (mountaineering required)
Olympic - whitewater kayak the Elwha River, Hoh River, Queets River, Quinault River, and/or Sol Duc River
Rocky Mountain - hike and rock scramble your way up to the summit of Longs Peak
Rocky Mountain - rock climb on and/or near Longs Peak
Sequoia - explore the backcountry on a backpacking trip
Sequoia - day hike to the summit of Alta Peak
Shenandoah - backpack on the Appalachian Trail
Theodore Roosevelt - paddle the Little Missouri River
Voyageurs - paddle to remote campsites
White Sands - go sand-boarding (aka sand-sledding)
Wrangell-St. Elias - take a whitewater rafting expedition
Yellowstone - explore the backcountry on a backpacking trip
Yellowstone - go snowmobiling in winter
Yosemite - backpack the John Muir Trail (permit required)
Yosemite - backpack to the High Sierra Camps (permit required)
Yosemite - day hike to Clouds Rest
Yosemite - day hike to the summit of Half Dome via the "cables route" (permit required)
Yosemite - go rock climbing (the park has hundreds of routes, e.g. El Capitan, Half Dome)
Zion - backpack the West Rim Trail (permit required)
Zion - go canyoneering through "The Subway" (permit required; this also requires rappelling)
Zion - hike Angel's Landing (permit required)
Zion - hike or backpack the Zion Narrows aka Virgin River Narrows (permit required for backpacking)
Zion - go rock climbing (the park has many routes, e.g. Moonlight Buttress)

 BEST NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT IN WINTER


With planning and good weather, most of the national parks can be visited in winter. Here are my recommendations for the best national parks to visit in winter:

Arches - it rarely snows here, and when it does, it usually doesn't stick around for more than 2-3 days
Big Bend - it almost never snows here, and when it does, it's only snows high in the mountains (generally higher than 4,000 feet); this is one of the busiest parks in the country during winter
Bryce Canyon - snowshoeing here is a magical experience; the hoodoos look even better with snow on them
Carlsbad Caverns - cave tours are available year-round
Crater Lake - the lake never freezes, and the contrast between its blue water and white-covered mountains is stunning
Death Valley - it almost never snows here, and when it does, it's only high in the mountains; this is one of the busiest parks in winter
Everglades - it doesn't snow here, and bugs aren't a problem in winter
Grand Canyon - the North Rim is closed, but the South Rim isn't; a snowy scene of the Grand Canyon is something you'll never forget
Joshua Tree - it rarely snows here, and when it does, it usually doesn't stick around for more than 2-3 days
Mammoth Cave - cave tours are available year-round
Voyageurs - snowmobiling is a fairly popular activity in winter
Wind Cave - cave tours are available year-round
Yellowstone - snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowcoach tours all provide a wonderful winter experience; the north entrance typically remains open to private automobiles throughout winter (except for temporary closures)
Zion - it rarely snows here, and when it does, it usually doesn't stick around for more than 2-3 days; a snow-covered Zion is gorgeous

 TREES OF THE NATIONAL PARKS


Several of the national parks are home to extraordinary trees, including:

Great Basin - bristlecone pine trees
Joshua Tree - joshua trees
Kings Canyon - sequoia trees (e.g. Grant Grove)
Olympic - sitka spruce, douglas fir, and western red-cedar
Redwood - redwood trees
Saguaro - saguaro cactus (although technically this isn't a tree)
Sequoia - sequoia trees
Yosemite - sequoia trees (e.g. Mariposa Grove)

 OTHER NATURE PARKS WORTHY OF NATIONAL PARK STATUS


For one reason or another, there are many exceptional nature parks and preserves across the country that are not part of the U.S. national park system. Each of the parks listed below offers spectacular scenery, and so you should try to visit some of them in tandem with the official national parks. My hope is that these places do not become national parks since most of them couldn't handle the inevitable increase in traffic that occurs with national park designation. They are already just about perfect as is, so my hope is that they retain the same status that they do today.

Alaska - Chugach State Park
Arizona - Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Arizona - Chiricahua National Monument
Arizona - Coconino National Forest
Arizona - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Arizona - Havasupai/Havasu Falls
Arizona - Kartchner Caverns State Park
Arizona - Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Arizona - Mystery Valley
Arizona - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Arizona - Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
Arkansas - Buffalo National River and the Ozarks
California - Alabama Hills
California - Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
California - Big Sur Coastline (including Julia Pfeiffer State Park and Pfeiffer State Park)
California - Devil's Postpile National Monument
California - Humboldt Redwoods State Park
California - Inyo National Forest
California - Lava Beds National Monument
Colorado - Colorado National Monument
Colorado - San Juan National Forest
Florida - Blue Spring State Park
Florida - John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Florida - Ten Thousand Islands
Hawaii - Na Pali Coast
Idaho - City of Rocks National Reserve
Idaho - Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Idaho - Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Illinois - Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
Illinois - Starved Rock State Park
Kentucky - Red River Gorge Scenic Area
Maine - Baxter State Park
Michigan - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Michigan - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Minnesota - Superior National Forest/Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Montana - Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains/Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Montana - Bob Marshall Wilderness/Flathead National Forest
Nevada - Cathedral Gorge State Park
Nevada - Gold Butte National Monument
Nevada - Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Nevada - Valley of Fire State Park
New Hampshire - White Mountain National Forest
New Mexico - Bandelier National Monument
New Mexico - Bisti Badlands (Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness)
New Mexico - El Malpais National Monument
New Mexico - Kasha-Katuwe Ten Rocks National Monument
New York - Adirondack Park
New York - Niagara Falls
North Carolina - Outer Banks/Cape Hatteras National Seashores
North Carolina - Pisgah National Forest
Ohio - Hocking Hills State Park
Oklahoma - Hocking Hills State Park
Oregon - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Oregon - John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Oregon - Mount Hood National Forest
Oregon - Oregon Caves National Monument
Oregon - Oregon coastline
Pennsylvania - Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Pennsylvania - Ricketts Glen State Park
South Dakota - Custer State Park/Black Hills National Forest
South Dakota - Jewel Cave National Monument
Texas - Caddo Lake State Park
Utah - Bears Ears National Monument
Utah - Cedar Breaks National Monument
Utah - Dead Horse Point State Park
Utah - Dinosaur National Monument
Utah - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Utah - Goblin Valley State Park
Utah - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Utah - Natural Bridges National Monument
Utah - Snow Canyon State Park
Utah - Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Virginia - Luray Caverns
Washington - Alpine Wilderness/Enchantment Lakes
Washington - Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
West Virginia - Dolly Sods Wilderness Area
West Virginia - Monongahela National Forest
Wisconsin - Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Wisconsin - Devil's Lake State Park
Wyoming - Bighorn Mountains
Wyoming - Devil's Tower National Monument
Wyoming - Dinosaur National Monument
Wyoming - Wind River Mountains

 MISCELLANEOUS NATIONAL PARK NOTES & TIPS


Here are some miscellaneous national park notes and tips. I'll try to add more of these tips over time as I think of them.

Acadia - eat some popovers at the Jordan Pond House
Acadia - take a ferry to visit the Isle au Haut district of the park (which has good hiking and mountain biking)
Acadia - obtain a vehicle permit to watch a sunrise or sunset on Cadillac Mountain
Arches - bring a headlamp and hike up to catch a sunset at Delicate Arch
Bryce Canyon - Ruby's Inn offers a variety of popular activities just outside of the park
Capitol Reef - grab a delicious pie from the Gifford Homestead
Canyonlands-Island in the Sky District - catch a sunrise by hiking to Mesa Arch
Carlsbad Caverns - catch the "nightly bat program" in season (and watch thousands of bats fly out of the cave)
Everglades - take a guided tram tour or rent a bike and ride the 15-mile paved loop through Shark Valley
Everglades - take an airboat tour inside the park or close to the park
Hot Springs - take a bath in a historic bath house
Joshua Tree - the Jumbo Rocks Campground is one of the most amazing car campgrounds in the U.S.

Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California
Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California

Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah
near the top of Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah

Sand Dunes, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Sand Dunes, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Precipice Trail, Acadia National Park, Maine
Precipice Trail, Acadia National Park, Maine

Emory Peak, Big Bend National Park, Texas
Emory Peak, Big Bend National Park, Texas

Congress Trail, Sequoia National Park, California
Congress Trail, Sequoia National Park, California

Druid Arch, Needles District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Druid Arch in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah

South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)
South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim), Arizona

Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park, California

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Morning Glory Pool, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Morning Glory Pool, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

summit of Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
summit of Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

 ESSENTIAL NATIONAL PARK WEBSITES/LINKS


National Park Foundation = link
National Park Photography Project = link
National Park Service = link
National Park Trails = link
Pets in the National Parks = link
Wikipedia's "National Parks" page = link

 RECOMMENDED GUIDEBOOKS


In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these road trip/travel-related guidebooks. Click on any link to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com (affiliate).

Fodor's Bucket List USA (1st edition; 2021)
Moon USA State by State (1st edition; 2021)
Your Guide to the National Parks (3rd edition; 2022)
Road Trip USA (9th edition; 2021)


As an Amazon Associates affiliate, this website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any products after clicking any Amazon.com link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only endorse products that I have personally used or come highly recommended by trusted peers.

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Travel & outdoor activities can be extremely dangerous. Use of this website and all of its information is at your own risk! We strongly believe in personal responsibility when it comes to staying safe. We will not be held liable for any injuries and/or death that occur.
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