We have only scratched the surface when it comes to visiting national parks, but we plan on seeing more of them this year. There are 423 national park sites in the United States National Park System. Of those, 63 have the official National Park designation in their names. Other categories include preserves, recreation areas, national monuments, historic sites, and more. Needless to say, there are lots of beautiful parks to see and this doesn’t even include the 6,600 state parks.
Here in Florida, we have eleven designated national park sites including the well-known and popular Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. The Dry Tortugas National Park is the most remote of them all and is only accessible by floatplane or boat. The others are Big Cypress National Preserve, Canaveral National Seashore, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Fort Matanzas National Monument, Fort Caroline National Memorial, De Soto National Monument, and finally the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. We have been to six of them so far, so still more to explore.
A fun way to explore national parks is by car. This allows you the flexibility to customize your itinerary and remain flexible, spending more or less time at diverse points of interest. Even when some of the parks we visited were only an hour or two apart, it was amazing how different the scenery was from one to the other. Each spectacular in their own way as they revealed themselves to us.
Read about one of our favorite road trips in the United States: National Parks Road Trip: Exploring the Southwest Canyons
National Parks we have visited and loved
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Canyon is probably the most well-known national park in the United States. It became a national park in 1919 but received federal protection as a forest reserve in 1893. It spans over 1,902 sq. mi. and is home to one of the largest and deepest canyons in the world. The Grand Canyon is a mile deep, up to 18 miles wide, and almost 300 miles long.
It is impossible to explore this park in only a day and it’s best to choose between the South Rim or North Rim. Despite the fact that these are only separated by 18 miles, to get from one side to the other takes about 4 hours by car.
A fun way to get an overview of the Grand Canyon is by helicopter, but to really get a feel for this mighty park we recommend driving along the park’s scenic roads. There are many viewpoints and short hikes along the way. It’s also possible to hike down the canyon to the Colorado River, but you’ll need more than a day for that, and keep in mind you will have to hike back up! You can also opt for a mule ride.
One thing’s for sure is that whatever way you choose to visit the Grand Canyon, you are in for a treat! Spectacular vistas guaranteed!
Zion National Park, Utah
A national park since 1919, Zion is unique in its own way and encompasses four distinct section. The Zion Scenic Trail is by far the most popular and touristic part of Zion. Most of this park is nestled on the inside of the canyon and hiking is the best way to explore it. During the busy season a shuttle is provided from Springdale to access the numerous hiking trails.
Trails range in level of difficulty from easy, paved, wheelchair accessible trails to very challenging ones like the famous Angels Landing, that should only be attempted by those who are fit and unafraid of heights. Some trails in The Narrows also require hiking through water in a ravine prone to flash floods. That said, there are also many intermediate trails fall in between these extremes.
A drive along the Mount Carmel Highway to the East Gate is a must. It’s an amazing drive that takes you through the 1-mile man-made tunnel dug out in 1930 through solid rock and it has a number of windows build into it. The whole road has stunning views along the way.
The other sections of Zion National Park include Kolob Canyon Road where you drive along a 5-mile scenic drive with spectacular vistas. The Kolob Terrace Road is touted as less busy and less commercial, but we found the other roads more scenic.
Bryce National Park, Utah
Bryce joined the National Park System in 1928 and the canyon’s most distinctive features are the hoodoos. The strange rock formations carved by frost, water and wind create a stunning panorama from above. However, we do recommend hiking down (at least a little bit) to get a closer look at these giants. The trails to get down are steep but looking at the hoodoos from bottom up gives you a new appreciation for their grandeur!
Bryce has a shuttle service that stops at the 14 main viewing points, but it’s possible to self-drive and park. You might have to wait for a few minutes (or longer during high season) at some of the most popular stops. Most panoramic viewpoints are only a short hike up from the parking lots and well-worth the effort.
Some of the most scenic vistas were from Sunrise Point and Sunset Point where you get excellent views of the amphitheater below. In this area, trails are easy and a pleasure to navigate. Some are even wheelchair accessible. If you are in good shape, you can hike along the Rim Trail and make a full day of hiking the park. You can also take the car (as we did) and stop at viewpoints along the rim trail and hike for a little bit in each direction to admire the views.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park was founded in 1890 making it one the oldest national parks in the US. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite is renowned for its ancient, giant sequoia trees, some as old as 3000 years! Wandering through one of the trails is a must to get a closer look at these towering redwoods.
Natural features like the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, and the numerous waterfalls add to the already spectacular mountain scenery. Driving around the park is an easy way to see some of these beautiful vistas but hiking or kayaking will let you better absorb the beauty of the park.
Yosemite is a great place to go to encounter wildlife. It’s not uncommon to spot bears or deer along the road. On the cliffs you may spy a Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep or two. Perhaps you’ll even see a mountain lion! It’s also a birders paradise with birds of prey soaring with the wind.
If you can, stay in the park overnight and enjoy the sunset. We visited as a day trip from San Francisco, and it made for a very long day. And it wasn’t nearly enough time to really immerse ourselves in the sheer beauty of this park.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree became a national park in 1994. This vast area extends over the arid expanse of the Colorado Desert and Mojave Desert. The rugged landscape is dotted with Joshua trees, a cactus-like plant. Also known as yucca palms these evergreen plants have spiky leaves similar to cactus needles and grow in small clusters.
A short hike (1.7 mi) from the Jumbo Rocks Campground leads to interesting granite rock formations. A favorite is Skull Rock. It’s conveniently located only a short walk from the road.
The Joshua Tree National Park is about a 3-hour drive from Los Angeles each way. Instead of visiting as a day trip we suggest staying closer to the park, perhaps in Palm Springs. Another option is to camp in the park.
Death Valley National Park, California
Protected as a national monument since 1933, Death Valley was designated a national park in 1994. This is one of the hottest and driest places on Earth with deserts, badlands, sand dunes, and salt flats. Despite these rugged and inhospitable conditions, there is plenty of wildlife that call Death Valley home. Desert bighorn sheep and tortoises, jackrabbits, coyotes, desert kangaroo rats, roadrunners, rattlesnakes are only a few of the species you might encounter during your visit.
To get an overview of the park, we suggest driving and stopping at various viewpoints. From Dante’s View you will get a panoramic view of the Badwater Basin. Here, the salt flats cover nearly 200 sq. mi. It’s also North America’s lowest point at 282 ft below sea level. Zabriskie Point is another must-stop viewpoint with incredible vistas of the badlands. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are also interesting to see.
In Death Valley, you will also see the remnants of borax mines giving the full meaning to the expression: “Going to the salt mine!” A noticeable landmark is the Harmony Borax Works near Furnace Creek.
If you plan on venturing out, bring lots of water. And if you think you have enough, bring more. We visited by car from Las Vegas (2-hour drive) and drank about 6 liters of water each in a few hours. Every year people die from heat exhaustion and dehydration in Depth Valley.
Everglades National Park, Florida
Established in 1947, the Everglades National Park covers a large area of southern Florida. It’s a unique ecosystem mostly made up of marshland and coastal mangroves that attracts a large diversity of wildlife. There are over 360 species of birds in the Everglades making it a great place to go for bird watching. It’s also one of the only places in the world where you can see both alligators and crocodiles. It’s also home to the endangered Florida panther and West Indian manatees. The Everglades are the perfect place to go for wildlife viewing in South Florida.
The Everglades National Park is located less than an hour away from Miami and is definitely worth visiting. The two closest entrances to the city are Shark Valley and Ernest F. Coe. At the Shark Valley visitor center, you can take a leisurely 2-hour tram ride through the Everglades. Alternatively, you can rent a bike or walk along a paved path leading to the observation tower to get an overview of this beautiful park. From the Ernest F. Coe entrance, you can follow the road all the way the end of Florida’s mainland where you’ll see the Florida Bay. Along the way there are many trails ranging in various levels of difficulty. It’s the perfect place for a scenic road trip in the Everglades National Park.
See our post: Visiting the Everglades National Park
Biscayne National Park, Florida
A national park since 1980, Biscayne, is mostly an underwater park. Coral reefs, mangroves and islands are all protected within the confines of the park. It’s home to many species of aquatic birds and marine life including manatees and dolphins. Historical wrecks lie below the surface and the best way to explore this park is to dive into its warm waters.
Biscayne National Park is located south of Miami at the most northern part of the Florida Keys and is only accessible by boat. It’s an excellent choice for scuba diving, snorkeling or participating in other water related activities. Many charters and fishing boats depart from the marina, but fishing regulations apply.
If you take your own boat, be sure to protect the environment by using one of the mooring buoys in the park.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Dry Tortugas officially became a national park in 1992, however, Fort Jefferson was named a national park monument in 1935. The national park extends beyond the fort and includes the Windjammer Wreck (which sank in 1907), the lighthouse, and numerous sandbar islands. The Dry Tortugas were discovered in 1513 by Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer. The name comes from the fact that there wasn’t any fresh water on the islands, and it was home to hundreds of sea turtles.
Originally built between 1846 and 1875, Fort Jefferson is the largest brick masonry structure ever built in the Americas. More than 16 million bricks were used in the construction. Despite the fact that it was never finished, it served as a prison during the Civil War. It also housed the motley crew accused of conspiring in the plot to assassinate of Abraham Lincoln.
The park is located 70 miles west of Key West and only accessible by boat or seaplane. If you go, definitely bring a snorkeling kit. The waters are amazing and full of life. Don’t forget to pack your bug repellent!
See our post: Exploring Fort Jefferson and The Dry Tortugas
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
A national park since 1916, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Over time, the land was transformed into shards of glass creating an eerie scene clearly demonstrating the power of the Kilauea Volcano and Pele, the Goddess of Fire.
A scenic helicopter flight over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a wonderful way to get a bird’s-eye view of the active volcano and molten lava. No need to drive across the island to Hilo to do this, helicopter trips are offered from Kona. But we also recommend renting a car to explore the park and getting a closer look.
Visiting this natural treasure by car is a must. In a day, there’s plenty of time to drive and stop at various points of interest along Crater Rim Drive and Chains of Craters Road. You can drive all the way to the spot where the road was engulfed by lava from a past eruption leaving road signs sticking out from the lava like beacons in the night.
Kilauea Volcano is an active volcano and it’s a good idea to check before heading out to see which trails are open as some may be closed for safety reasons. Also, be aware that the smell of sulfur can be strong in certain areas. A final note about Hawaii Volcano National Park: Wear closed-toe shoes with sturdy soles because on some trails it’s like walking on broken glass.
National Parks we plan to visit in the near future
Arches National Park, Utah
Carved by wind and water over millenniums, Arches National Park is best known for its natural sandstone arches. There are more than 2,000 arches within the park creating a unique landscape. We hear that the park is even more spectacular at sunset and that it has great hikes ranging in levels of difficulty.
It’s possible to explore the park in one day with the 25-mile scenic drive and this is something we are planning to do. We look forward to seeing some of the most famous arches such as Delicate Arch, Double Arch, and the park’s longest, Landscape Arch.
(We finally had the chance to visit this beautiful park.)
See our post: Most Scenic Arches and Viewpoints in Arches National Park, Utah
A national park since 1971, Arches is located about 5.5 miles from Moab, Utah, making this a good place to stay. And it’s also only a 30-minute drive to another mighty national park, Canyonlands.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Established in 1964, Canyonlands is known for its colorful canyons, arches, buttes and mesas (flat-top hills with steep sides). The park is divided into four main areas. The most accessible and closest to Moab is Island in the Sky, which is a huge, flat-topped mesa with panoramic overlooks. The other areas are more remote and require more strenuous hiking or four-wheel driving. The Needles is notable for its rock pinnacles. As for the Maze and Horseshoe Canyon, backcountry experience is advised.
Another way to explore the park is by way of the Colorado and Green rivers.
Canyonlands is located near Moab and Arches and visiting both of these parks in one trip makes sense.
(We finally made it to this beautiful national park)
See our post: One Day in Canyonlands Island in the Sky Area, Utah
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Mesa Verde was established in 1906 to preserve the Ancestral Pueblo heritage. It’s best known for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Even if it reminds me of the Manitou Cliff Dwellings that we visited years ago, it’s on our list of national parks to visit because of its historical importance.
Approximately 800 years ago, the Ancestral Pueblo people started living in small villages built into the overhanging cliffs. The dwellings range in size from one single room to some that have as many as 150 rooms.
Mesa Verde National Park is located in southwest Colorado and we plan on combining a visit to this park with Monument Valley which is about a 3-hour drive west in Utah.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
In 1872, Yellowstone became the United States first national park. It’s best known for its geysers and thermal basins. But is also a great place to go for wildlife viewing, photography and hiking.
Many of the park’s main attractions such as Old Faithful (a predictable geyser that erupt every 30 minutes to two hours) and Grand Prismatic Spring (a colorful hot spring) are conveniently located by the Grand Loop Road making it easy to explore the park. Yellowstone is a hub of hydrothermal activity with more than 500 geysers, countless hot springs and pools, steam vents, and mud pools.
The park is located mostly in Wyoming, but it extends into parts of Montana and Idaho. And it’s located right next to Grand Teton National Park, so we plan on visiting both national parks on a future trip.
Sequoia National Park, California
In 1890, Sequoia became a national park making it the second oldest in the United States. It’s main attractions are the ancient giant sequoias found throughout the park. These magnificent trees are the largest in the world and some are more than than 3,000 years old!
There are multiple hiking trails within the park to walk among these giants and one can only feel humbled by their size and beauty. You will see them from your car, but we highly recommend getting out to wander around the sequoia grooves to truly appreciate their grandeur.
The park is also a great place to go for wildlife viewing and photography as would be the nearby (10 mi) Kings Canyon National Park.
Visiting the Sequoia National is on our list, even if we have seen giant sequoias in Yosemite and in Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada. It’s always a treat to see these colossal giants!
Conclusion
Of course, there are many other beautiful national parks to visit. This is a simply a list of the top ones we have been too and loved or are planning to visit. Every year we invest in an $80 annual park past as there are many beautiful parks to visit and it’s our way of supporting the National Parks.
If you plan a national park road trip, get the annual pass, and don’t forget to include nearby state parks, preserves, and monuments in your itinerary.
Canada also has many beautiful national and provincial parks with spectacular scenery to visit. Be sure to read about our Canadian Rockies Road Trip, an unforgettable adventure!
How about you, do you have a favorite National Park?