US NATIONAL PARKS
US NATIONAL PARKS
The US National Parks are a treasure trove of natural wonders, cultural heritage, and unparalleled beauty spread across the country’s landscapes. From the towering peaks of Yosemite to the vibrant coral reefs of Florida’s Dry Tortugas, each park offers a unique ecosystems and experience.
These protected areas serve as sanctuaries for wildlife, preserving critical habitats and fostering biodiversity. They also provide countless opportunities for outdoor recreation, from hiking and whitewater rafting to wildlife watching and photography.
Simply driving through these parks is an experience like none other. Take a drive down Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive to see the vivid autumn colors. Or maybe the Death Valley Scenic Byway to see the salt flats and desert mountains.
Regardless of the park you choose to explore, expect to be blown away by the remarkable scenery, rich history, and opportunity for thrilling activities in Mother Nature’s beauty.
LIST OF US NATIONAL PARKS
Acadia
Arches
Badlands
Big Bend
Biscayne
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Bryce Canyon
Canyonlands
Capitol Reef
Carlsbad Caverns
Channel Islands
Congaree
Crater Lake
Cuyahoga Valley
Death Valley
Denali
Dry Tortugas
Everglades
Gates of the Arctic
Gateway Arch
Glacier Bay
Grand Canyon
Grand Teton
Great Basin
Great Sand Dunes
Great Smoky Mountains
Guadalupe Mountains
Haleakala
Hawaii Volcanoes
Hot Springs
Indiana Dunes
Isle Royale
Joshua Tree
Katmai
Kings Canyon
Kobuk Valley
Mammoth Cave
Mesa Verde
Mount Rainier
National Park of American Samoa
New River Gorge
North Cascades
Olympic
Pinnacles
Redwood
Rocky Mountain
Saguaro
Sequoia
Shenandoah
Theodore Roosevelt
Virgin Islands
Voyageurs
White Sands
Wind Cave
Wrangell-St. Elias
Yellowstone
Yosemite
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
MONTANA
Glacier National Park, often referred to as the “Crown of the Continent”, is an incredible wilderness sanctuary tucked away in the remote corners of Montana.
As one of the largest and most visited national parks in the United States, Glacier National Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a diverse array of landscapes, wildlife sightings, and recreational opportunities.
Whether you’re an active traveler interested in backcountry hiking or just want a laid back trip seeing some of the grand vistas, there’s something for everyone in Glacier National Park.
Founding: The park was established on May 11, 1910, making it the 10th national park in the United States.
Size: The park covers an area of approximately 1,013,322 acres (over 1,583 square miles or 4,100 square kilometers), making it the 11th largest national park.
Visitor numbers: In 2023, the park had 2.94 million visitors.
Glacier National Park is comprised of three distinct regions. One of America’s most scenic highways, Going-to-the-Sun Road, stretches 50 miles through the park from West Glacier to Saint Mary.
You could stay in West Glacier or Whitefish while touring the west side of the park.
On the eastern side of the park is Many Glacier region and the rsomewhat remote Two Medicine region. When touring these areas I’d recommend staying in St. Mary or possibly Browning.
There are several resorts, hotels, rental properties and campsites in all of these areas. The park is extremely popular during the summer so make your lodging reservations ASAP.
KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK
ALASKA
Kenai Fjords National Park located along the southern coastline of Alaska, is a remote and stunningly beautiful park characterized by mesmerizing glaciers, diverse wildlife, and an endless maze of fjords.
Very little of the park can be seen or toured by roads. Rather, visitors can explore the park through a variety of activities such as hiking, kayaking, scenic boat and aerial tours.
Popular hiking trails like the Harding Icefield Trail offer a thrilling adventure while providing extraordinary views of the park’s scenery. Among Kenai Fjords National Park’s most notable attractions are Exit Glacier and the adjacent Harding Icefield, a vast expanse of snow and ice covering over 700 square miles.
Founding: The park was established on December 2, 1980, making it the 56th national park in the United States.
Size: The park covers an area of approximately 669,984 acres (over 1,047 square miles or 2,711 square kilometers), making it the 17th largest national park.
Visitor numbers: In 2023, the park had 387,000 visitors, making it the 18th least visited national park.
The best place to stay for accessing Kenai Fjords National Park is in Seward. The charming coastal town is nestled on the shores of Resurrection Bay, providing stunning natural beauty, rich history, and a vibrant community.
Seward is the primary hub of Kenai Peninsula and has numerous tour agencies offering scenic ferry rides, kayaking, and glacier walks. The area surrounding Seward is prime territory for outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, whale watching, and wildlife viewing.
We stayed in Cooper Landing during our time in Kenai Fjords. Although this was almost an hour away from the park entrance, we loved the location and it worked out well for our itinerary.
LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK
ALASKA
Traveling to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a journey into some of the most remote corners of Alaska’s untamed wilderness. But once you arrive, you’ll witness some of the most dramatic landscapes of any US National Park. From granite mountain ranges and colossal glaciers to cascading waterfalls and rugged coastlines, the scenery is breathtaking in every direction.
Lake Clark is also one of the best parks for wildlife viewing as it’s home to grizzly bears, black bears, moose, caribou, wolves, seals, otters, hundreds of bird species and diverse marine life. The activities available in the park are also endless, with opportunities for scenic flights, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, camping or just admiring the peace and natural beauty of the region.
Founding: The park was established on December 2, 1980, making it the 56th national park in the United States.
Size: The park covers an area of approximately 4.03 million acres (over 6,296 square miles or 16,308 square kilometers), ranking as the 7th largest national park.
Visitor numbers: In 2023, the park had 16,728 visitors, making it one of the least visited national park.
Given its remote location and lack of roads, you’ll need to arrange a flight or boat into Lake Clark, where there are only a few lodging options available. Consequently, these accommodations are generally very expensive.
Port Alsworth is the most popular area to stay and contains several lodges and resorts, including Lake Clark Resort, Alaska’s Back Country Inn, and Tulchina adventures. We stayed in one of the family-owned cabins at The Wilder House B&B, offering privacy and comfort amidst the beauty of Lake Clark.
Silver Salmon Creek Lodge, located on the shores of Cook Inlet, is known for its bear viewing while the luxurious Redoubt Mountain Lodge is found on Crescent Lake and offers gourmet meals, excellent fishing, and an exclusive Alaskan experience.
LASSEN VOLCANIC
NATIONAL PARK
CALIFORNIA
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a hidden gem in the Cascade Mountain Range of Northern California. The park is renowned for its volcanic landscapes and geothermal basins, making it one of the most unique national parks in the US.
Walking amidst the steaming vents and boiling mud pots found in Bumpess Hell are the highlight of many visits. But hiking around the peaceful meadows, alpine lakes, and barren Cinder Cone are not to be missed either.
Additional park activities include kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and going for scenic drives. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are some of the popular activities during the winter months.
Founding: The park was established on August 9, 1916, making it the 15th national park in the United States.
Size: The park covers an area of approximately 106,452 acres (over 170 square miles or 440 square kilometers), ranking as the 28th largest national park.
Visitor numbers: In 2023, the park had 418,978 visitors, ranking as the 43rd most visited national park.
Within the park itself, the luxurious Drakesbad Guest Ranch provides their guests with a pnatural hot spring pool, all-inclusive meals, horseback riding, and a number of nearby hiking trails. The Manzanita Lake Camping Cabins provides more basic amenities while offering a serene environment and convenient access to nearby attractions.
Several campgrounds are found throughout the park. Most of the campgrounds offer potable water, restrooms, and bear-proof storage while occasionally allowing campfires in designated areas.
If you’re looking to stay outside the park, there are several towns nearby including Chester, Mineral, Shingletown, and Old Station. The closest large city to the park is Redding, which is home to an airport and countless accommodation options.
PETRIFIED FOREST
NATIONAL PARK
ARIZONA
Boasting some of the country’s most unique and storied landscapes, Petrified Forest National Park gives a glimpse into the prehistoric world. The park is famous for its extensive collection of petrified wood, remnants of an ancient forest that thrived in the area over 200 million years ago.
The park is filled with educational experiences and archeological sites, including the ruins of Puebloan villages and fascinating petroglyphs.
The Blue Mesa and Painted Desert regions feature a vast expanse of sedimentary rock formations. The striated hills become a colorful collage of red, orange, and purple hues during the shifting daylight sun.
Founding: The park was established on December 9, 1962, making it the 28th US National Park.
Size: The park covers an area of approximately 218,533 acres (346 square miles or 896 square kilometers).
Visitor numbers: The park saw 644,922 visitors in 2022, ranking 46th amongst the country’s national parks.
You won’t find any lodging within the park itself. However, with a free backpacking permit you’re allowed to camp within Petrified Forest National Wilderness.
The nearest town to Petrified Forest National Park is Halbrook, about 20 miles away. Although it’s a small town, Halbrook has several accommodation options. An hour drive from the north entrance to the park is the town of Winslow, offering some more convenient accomodations.
A few campsites and RV parks are dispersed throughout the area as well, including Holbrook / Petrified Forest KOA and Crystal Forest Gift Shop & RV Park.
ZION NATIONAL PARK
UTAH
Zion National Park, located in southwest Utah, is an immensely popular park that is recognized for its unique geological formations, stunning landscapes, and numerous adventure opportunities.
Some of the country’s most iconic hiking trails, including Angels Landing and The Narrows, are found in Zion National Park. Canyoneering, rock climbing, and ranger-led exhibits are also popular activities and attractions within the park.
If you prefer to keep both feet on stable ground, there’s the option to visit the park’s viewpoints, stroll along the Virgin River, and simply admire the vibrant rock formations you’ll find throughout Zion Canyon.
Founding: The park was established on November 19, 1919 by President William Howard Taft, making it the 15th national park in the United States.
Size: The park covers an area of approximately 147,242 acres (229.13 square miles or 596.96 square kilometers), making it the 37th largest national park.
Visitor numbers: In 2022, the park had 4.7 million visitors, making it one of the most popular US National Parks.
Zion National Park is in close proximity to a few rather large cities, including Hurricane and St George. You’ll find several reasonably priced accommodations in these areas.
The small town of Springdale is the gateway to Zion National Park and has many hotels, rental properties, and restaurants, making it a convenient location to stay when touring the park.
You can stay in the Zion National Park itself, by booking a room at Zion Lodge, the only hotel within the park. There are also three different campsites located in the park if you prefer to keep things simple.