The U.S. National Parks are a true treasure, protected, beautiful, public spaces that are preserved for future generations and easily accessible to the public. Many people have a goal to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks. Seems like an awesome goal to...
My all-time favorite family trip growing up was to Maine. We spent several days poking around Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. It's a magnificent and relaxing park, and it's not as crowded as some of the bigger ones.
My sister and her family lived in South Dakota for a short time, and what a scenic area! It can stay a bit chilly even late into the spring, so the summer is definitely the most crowded time, but still worth a visit to this more remote National Park.
Big, open skies and beautiful vistas for miles. This is a great park to visit in the early spring or late fall when it's not as hot as the height of summer. But every season offers incredible sights in this desert park.
Beautiful coral reefs and all-things beachy and just a quick drive from all the hot spots of Miami Beach.
With its wild red rocks, Bryce Canyon has one of the most unique and fascinating landscapes you can find this side of Mars!
Another incredible National Park in Utah, Canyonlands is in Moab.
Not that kind of reef! This park is in southern Utah with a diverse landscape including red rock canyons, so lots of beautiful hiking.
This huge cavern system in New Mexico is absolutely amazing. An educational adventure that's well worth the visit.
Off the coast of Southern California, this chain of five islands are nearly pristine ecological bubbles.
Step into a beautiful, relaxing hardwood forest in this divrerse old growth protected ecosystem.
This gorgeous, pristine, snow and rain fed lake is the site of a collapsed volcano and the deepest lake in the contiguous U.S.
This National Park centers around the Cuyahoga River, and it features many waterfalls and wonderful hiking paths.
This National Park is the hottest, driest, and lowest elevation park. Be prepared for intense desert conditions…but also an amazing and unique landscape.
One of the wildest and most remote of the National Parks, Denali is six million acres. MILLION. That's a lot of nature to explore, although as a preserve, much of the park isn't easily reachable without some serious gear and experience. But the part ...
With possibly the most ironic name ever, Dry Tortugas is mostly wet--actually only 1% of it's land. This ocean preserve is a snorkel, scuba, and swimming paradise located on a retired fort west of Key West, Florida. You can only get there by seaplane...
Not far as the crow flies from Dry Tortugas, but a world away in ecology, Everglades National Park is an amazing wetland to visit and see an incredible ecosystem unlike anywhere else on earth.
The most remote (and northern) National Park, very few people ever visit Gates of the Arctic (for good reason…it's difficult to reach). But for those who are able to trek to visit, it's an untouched paradise.
The Gateway Arch is such a fun little destination. It can easily be done in an afternoon, and if you're not claustrophobic or afraid of heights, the tram to the top is a must.
One of the most popular National Parks, Glacier requires reservations to visit. It's beautiful…and melting. Glacier National Park is a precious peek into a unique and threatened habitat, due to climate change.
Yup, it's a big, big hole. Erosion at its finest. The Grand Canyon will take your breath away, and no National Park enthusiast can miss it.
Breathtaking beauty awaits in the mountainous terrain of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. And of course, in the winter, there's the incredible snow skiing culture in Jackson Hole!
Great Basin is one of the least visited National Parks due to its rather remote location in eastern Nevada, but not for lack of beauty!
Located in Colorado of all places, Great Sand Dunes National Park has the tallest dunes in North America. It's a fun, interesting, unique place to visit and hike.
My family and I love spending time in the Great Smoky Mountains. So do a lot of other families…it's the most visited National Park annually). But in this vast wilderness, you can still find some quiet serenity in the beauty of the mountain range.
The stark, desolate landscape of this mountain range is beautiful for hiking and camping.
On the island of Maui, this breathtaking and sacred space is a place of beauty and the natural spirit of the Hawaiian islands.
This park includes the summits of two of the world's most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
Hot Springs National Park (and the city that bears the same name) is a step back in time. The springs that emerge from the earth are HOT, and there are historic bathhouses where you can safely bathe in their healing waters, as people have for centuri...
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline, Indiana Dunes is a unique landscape of sand, wetlands, woodlands, and prairie.
In the northern part of Lake Superior, this secluded island is a wildlife paradise. Great for camping, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors!
Joshua Tree contains parts of both the Mojave and Colorado deserts.
Founded in 1918, Katmai was dedicated to restoring and preseving the land that was devastated by a volcano. With its expansive area and protected status, it's an important preserved wilderness ecosystem for numerous species.
A vast expanse of ice fields at the edge of the Kenai peninsula.
Bordering on Sequoia National Park in California, you'll get a double dip with this visit to beautiful Kings Canyon!
One of the least visited National Parks, Kobuk Valley is a unique and isolated landscape for those who make it all the way to see its beauty.
Another stunning wilderness landscape in Alaska!
Located in far northern California, Lassen Volcanic National Park is a gorgeous wilderness landscape to explore.
This expansive cave system with the wooded wilderness above is a wonderful place to explore as a family or on your own!
For centuries, the people of the Pueblo tribes built their homes in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. This National Park preserves the land and educates visitors about the cultural heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people.
An easy drive from Seattle, Mt. Rainier is an iconic addition to the Washington landscape. With a plethora of activities to enjoy, it's a great addition to any trip to the area.
There are many species that live only in the American Samoan islands. Such a beautiful and welcoming place to visit.
The New River flows through deep rugged canyons in this peaceful landscape.
A rugged, breathtaking landscape of glaciers and mountain peaks.
Another breathtaking and diverse ecosystem in Washington state, Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula encompasses nearly a million protected acres.
A fascinating place, Petrified Forest National Park is known for its fossils and beautiful Painted Desert colors.
Home to many raptors, Pinnacles National Park is a unique landscape with lots to explore, including canyons, caves, and cliffs.
In far northern California, you can visit Redwood National Park and see the lush forest of the world's most massive trees. Truly majestic.
Rocky Mountain National Park holds a huge, sweet place in my heart from a short time that I lived in Colorado during college. Truly, there's something magical about the Rockies.
Saguaro National Park is home to the iconic saguaro cactus and many desert species of animals and plants.
As mentioned above, Sequoia National Park is right next to Kings Canyon National Park, so you get a fabulous double park experience when you visit.
A lush haven just 75 miles from Washington D.C., a visit to Shenandoah National Park is a great, serene addition to any trip to D.C.
The landscape that inspired creation of the National Park System. This rugged, unique terrain inspired young Teddy Roosevelt to value and pursue natural conservation.
A tropical paradise with snorkeling, white sand beaches, and historic sites. Two-thirds of the island is the National Park, so exploring it will likely be an integral part of any visit you take.
There's a little something for everyone at this laidback 200,000 acre National Park with lakes, streams, forests, and more.
You'll think you stepped into another world when you visit the unique and beautiful massive white sand dunes of White Sands National Park in New Mexico.
Beautiful caves down below, amazing wildlife above. The cave tours of Wind Cave National Park are actually temporarily suspended until the fall of 2024 due to elevator replacement.
Truly massive and wild, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is over 13 million acres. That's MILLION.
In 1872, Yellowstone became the first established U.S. National Park. Still incredibly popular, be prepared for crowds, especially if you come in high season. But also be prepared for breathtaking beauty!
Another of the most popular parks, Yosemite has long been a magnet for those attracted to its rugged beauty and unique landscape.
We arrive at last to Z…the beautiful red rock canyon landscape of Zion National Park in Utah.