Discover America’s National Parks with iBestTravel

Scenic beauty, history, recreation, learning, and renewal await at over 400 national parks and monuments in the United States. Since the 1872 creation of Yellowstone National Park, the nation’s first, these parks have become treasured resources, inspiring generations with their varied and unique natural terrain.

Explore Unique National Parks

While certain times of the year are designated for celebrating America’s national parks, like National Park Week each April, you can—and should—celebrate and explore the nation’s most incredible parks and monuments year-round. Discover a national park near you or plan a trip to one you’ve never visited for a camping vacation, road trip, picnic, stargazing evening, or hiking expedition. Our suggestions will encourage you to put a national park visit on your travel itinerary this year.

01. Olympic National Park and Forest, Washington

Designated as a World Heritage Site, this Pacific Northwest park encompasses several major ecosystems: subalpine, coastal, temperate rainforest, and lowland forest. Climbers, hikers, backpackers, and campers love its terrain and diversity. Activities such as fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, and night sky stargazing are also popular among visitors.

If camping isn’t your style, consider lodging within the park at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, offering cabins, a restaurant, and hot springs pools, or the historic Lake Crescent Lodge, with guest rooms nestled among giant fir and hemlock trees along the shores of Lake Crescent.

02. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

This park, located in southwest Colorado, protects nearly 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, some of the best preserved in the United States. Dating back approximately 1,400 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built elaborate stone dwellings high on canyon walls. They lived there for about 700 years, evolving from nomads to farmers. Self-guided and ranger-led tours allow visitors to explore these ancient sites. Evening events include campfire talks, stargazing, and twilight tours for another way to connect with these archaeological treasures.

The Far View Lodge, located inside the park, offers 150 rooms with traditional Western decor, balconies, and stunning views. Dine at the casual Spruce Tree Terrace Cafe or the Far View Terrace Patio near the Lodge, offering slow-smoked BBQ chicken, ribs, and brisket. Moreover, the award-winning Mesa Verde Metate Room at the Far View Lodge features Indigenous ingredients and sustainable cuisine in contemporary Southwestern style.

03. Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

This national park encompasses 6 million acres of Alaska’s interior wilderness, including North America’s tallest peak, Denali. Home to diverse wildlife such as grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep, the park’s terrain covers tundra, spruce forests, and glaciers. The park’s primary road, which is 92 miles long, consists mostly of sand and gravel. Outdoor activities like mountain climbing, skiing, dog sledding, and hiking are favorite pastimes in Denali.

Although campgrounds are available within the park, most lodging options are found outside its boundaries. Denali Park Village, open May 27-Sept. 18, is located seven miles south of the national park, along the scenic Nenana River.

04. Yosemite National Park, California

Known for its captivating waterfalls, ancient giant sequoias, and granite cliffs such as El Capitan and Half Dome, Yosemite spans nearly 1,200 square miles of valleys, meadows, and wilderness in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, birdwatching, horseback riding, boating, and rock climbing are beloved activities, along with simply admiring the park’s scenic beauty. Yosemite’s waterfalls attract avid hikers and photographers, especially in spring and early summer when the cascades are at their most impressive.

Bus tours to various park points from Yosemite Valley are available year-round. Additionally, lodging options range from tent camps to the luxurious Ahwahnee Hotel, a National Historic Landmark rebranded as the Majestic Yosemite Hotel in recent years, originally built in the 1920s and now beautifully remodeled.

05. Everglades National Park, Florida

This 1.5-million-acre wetlands preserve on the southern tip of Florida encompasses coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes, and pine flatwoods. The park is home to hundreds of animal species, including endangered leatherback turtles, Florida panthers, manatees, and American crocodiles.

Visitors can partake in ranger-led tours, including the Everglades Exploration at the Shark Valley Visitor Center, the Python Talk at the Flamingo Visitor Center, the Anhinga Amble, and the Everglades Adventure Car Caravan. The Shark Valley Tram Tour offers opportunities to observe alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Guided by a park ranger or naturalist, this narrated tour incurs an additional cost, and reservations are advisable.

06. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Located in the hilly countryside of south-central Kentucky, this park features over 400 miles of explored caves and is home to the longest cave system in the United States. Popular activities include hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, and kayaking, in addition to exploring the astounding caves. A variety of cave tours ranging from easy to extremely strenuous provide opportunities to observe gypsum formations, ancient cave writing, and the natural history of the caves. Reservations can be made through the park’s website.

The rustic Lodge at Mammoth Cave offers cottages, cabins, and rooms in the main lodge set under the shade of tall oak trees. Conveniently located near the park’s entrance and visitor center, the Lodge features a restaurant providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.

Three developed campgrounds and numerous primitive sites in the backcountry along the Green and Nolin Rivers create a variety of camping experiences. Picnic areas are also available in several locations throughout the park.

07. Acadia National Park, Maine

Located near Bar Harbor, Acadia spans 47,000 acres of Atlantic Coast recreation area, featuring woodlands, rocky beaches, and granite peaks, including Cadillac Mountain—the highest point on the East Coast of the United States.

Hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty levels are available throughout the park, offering glimpses of wildlife that include moose, bears, whales, and seabirds. Birdwatching enthusiasts can join walks designed to observe peregrine falcons, ducks, and other coastal birds. Additionally, ranger-led bicycle tours and boat cruises are offered at an additional cost, making it essential to check the park’s website for schedules and reservations.

The park features two campgrounds on Mount Desert Island, one on the Schoodic Peninsula, and five lean-to shelters on Isle au Haut. While there is no lodging within the park, countless accommodations can be found in nearby towns. Picnic areas with fireplaces are situated throughout the park.

The popular Jordan Pond House Restaurant, built in the 1890s, is renowned for its traditional afternoon tea accompanied by popovers and light delicacies. Its lunch and dinner menus highlight Maine’s iconic lobster dishes, including lobster rolls, lobster stew, and boiled lobster, complemented by desserts featuring local blueberries. For the 2021 season, the restaurant will not be taking reservations, opting instead for first-come, first-served table service.

08. Glacier National Park, Montana

This expansive 1,583-square-mile wilderness area in Montana’s Rocky Mountains is defined by glacier-carved peaks and valleys that extend up to the Canadian border. The park boasts over 700 miles of hiking trails and is rich in diverse wildlife, from mountain goats to grizzly bears.

A variety of ranger-led programs include easy walks, all-day hikes, evening talks, photo walks, and boat tours, commencing in mid-June. Schedules are made available approximately two weeks before the beginning of each month. Ensure to check the park’s website for details and reservations.

Lodging in the park ranges from cozy cabins to historic grand rooms. The Swiss chalet-style Lake McDonald Lodge is located ten miles inside the park’s west entrance. Built in 1913, this historic lodge along Lake McDonald’s eastern shore offers a main building, a row of cabins, Snyder Hall, and Cobb House. The Lodge is set to open from May 15 until September 22.

Just outside the park, Cedar Creek Lodge Hotel and Conference Center serves as a year-round destination, offering amenities such as an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, and complimentary breakfast.

The park features more than a thousand campsites available across thirteen different campgrounds, and several can be reserved through the park’s website.