National Parks You Need to Visit
Plan Your Next Epic Road Trip
With 63 National Parks located across the country, everyone should be lucky enough to take in such beautiful sights at least once. Plan your vacation starting with the 11 parks listed below, or select your own destination.
Plan Your Visit.NPS.gov
Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana)
Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer. Whether you enjoy scouting for rare species of birds or flying kites on the sandy beach, the national park's 15,000 acres will continually enchant you. Hikers will enjoy 50 miles of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests.
Porter IN
Everglades National Park (Florida)
The country’s third-largest national park offers a unique opportunity to kayak and canoe via “trails” that meander through mangrove swamps and freshwater marshes that are teeming with wildlife.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park (Tennessee & North Carolina)
Dating back to the prehistoric Paleo Indians, this area is rich in human history and boasts many historic structures, landscapes and artifacts.
Five Tips for a Better Park Vacation Experience
National Park vacations are becoming an increasingly popular option for Americans. In fact, from sheer natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife to seemingly endless hiking and biking trails, national parks provide a unique combination of relaxation options, intense experiences and educational opportunities, all rolled into one. Here are a few helpful tips to help you plan a park vacation.
1. Make Reservations! Whether you are camping or checking into a hotel, travel is heating up and reservations are highly recommended. Pulling an RV? Boondocking is not what it once was -- we highly encourage you to reserve a spot or at least have a backup plan.
2. Park Passes. Purchase park tickets in advance to avoid long lines. Depending on your itinerary and trip planning, you may want to consider buying an annual pass. If you have a longer lead time, you can purchase your pass online. If you need a pass right away, buy at the park; showing an online receipt for purchase is not valid for park entry.
3. Park Entry. Check the National Park site you are visiting for visitor restrictions. Some parks are limiting the number of visitors. You may have to schedule your trip around park attendance limits or add your name to a lottery system or use park transportation to get to the particular area you wish to visit. Each park is uniquely set up, so it's best to check with the park.
4. Park Facilities and Amenities. Each park is unique and all operations may not be fully re-opened due to COVID-19 restrictions, park staffing or the park may be weather dependent due to spring snowstorms. Also note the demand to fix roads is high -- expect construction delays.
5. Download the Official NPS app. The app experience is designed to enhance your trip and provides valuable information about park features, recommended stops, interactive maps, and more. The app was created by the National Park Service staff—people who know national parks—to help you make the most of your visit.
Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
Nearly four million people visit Grand Teton each year, undoubtedly captivated by the park’s majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife.
Denali National Park (Alaska)
Grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep and moose can be found among the park’s six million acres, along with North America’s highest mountain—Mount McKinley.
Acadia National Park (Maine)
Visitors come to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads and simply enjoy breathtaking scenery. Acadia has the distinction of being the first National Park east of the Mississippi River.
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
Some are surprised to know that forests can be found at the higher elevations of Grand Canyon National Park. The land there is semi-arid and consists of raised plateaus and structural basins typical of the southwest. The park encompasses 1,218,375 acres and lies on the Colorado Plateau.
Yosemite National Park (California)
Internationally-recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, Giant Sequoia groves and biological diversity, this park covers an area of 761,268 acres and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain in California.
Glacier National Park (Montana)
Water and mountains define this national park, which spans two mountain ranges and includes more than 700 lakes across Montana. Take advantage of the park's expansive hiking trails, and be sure to hit traveler favorites like the Trail of the Cedars and Iceberg Lake Trail. Other activities visitors can enjoy include a ride along scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road and a trip to the unique Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Zion National Park (Utah)
Today Zion National Park is a destination that consistently ranks within the top 10 most visited national parks in America. Millions come every year to gaze in awe at what one early traveler called “A New Valley of Wonders,” and for many the experience will be likened to an encounter with the Divine.