Acadia is full of breathtaking natural beauty and limitless outdoor activity, nestled on the wild coast of Maine. There is something for everyone to do in Acadia, from hiking and bicycling on more than 120 miles of trails to swimming and boating in the park’s pristine lakes and ponds.
Find Things to do at National Parks for Your Next Adventure
Visiting a national park is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse oneself in the natural environment and learn about its wondrous features. Whether you’re looking for the mighty peaks of the Rocky Mountains or the breathtaking scenery of the Grand Canyon, America’s national parks have you covered.
Of course, there’s more to national parks than scenic landscapes. They’re vital to our efforts to keep our natural resources and ecosystems safe. Many plant and animal species found in parks are critically endangered or threatened. National parks play a crucial role in ensuring the long-term viability of these species and the ecosystems in which they thrive, making them a valuable legacy gift to future generations.
National parks serve multiple purposes, including environmental protection, economic development, and social welfare. The tourist and outdoor recreation sectors benefit greatly from the billions of dollars in annual revenue generated by America’s national parks. The natural environment and time spent outside have been linked to improved physical and mental health, both of which can be facilitated by visits to national parks.
In that case, why go to a national park? National parks are great places to go if you want to learn about the environment, take in some breathtaking scenery, or do any combination of the two. Get your camera and your spirit of exploration ready, since a trip to a national park is an adventure you won’t soon forget.
National parks offer a wide variety of experiences for visitors. There are countless things to do in national parks, and the list becomes longer with each park’s unique set of features. The following are some of the most popular options:
HIKING & BACKPACKING
Many national parks provide trails that visitors can use to experience the park’s natural beauty up close and personal.
ROCK CLIMBING & BOULDERING
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Joshua Tree in California offer excellent rock climbing and bouldering.
KAYAKING, RAFTING & FISHING
Acadia National Park in Maine and Olympic National Park in Washington are great places to go kayaking, rafting, and fishing.
WILDLIFE VIEWING
Many national parks are excellent places to view wildlife, such as bears, wolves, bison, birds, and many others.
CAMPING
Guests of several national parks can pitch a tent and spend the night under the stars in designated camping areas.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The incredible variety of landscapes and wildlife make national parks a popular attraction for photographers.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Many parks have ranger-led tours and programs to help visitors learn about the park’s history and natural features.
SCENIC DRIVES
Some national parks offer scenic drives so visitors can see the sights without leaving the comfort of their own vehicles.
Explore All of the National Park Locations
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Big Bend National Park is a site of breathtaking natural beauty and boundless opportunities for outdoor adventure. It is situated in the middle of West Texas. Hikers, rock climbers, and people who simply like nature will find the park to be a veritable paradise due to the area’s rough mountains, deep valleys, and different ecosystems.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is so scenic because of its unique geological features and diverse landscapes. The park is home to a variety of volcanic features, including geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots. These features create a stunning and otherworldly landscape that is unlike anything else in the world.
Welcome to Mesa Verde National Park, where history, culture, and adventure come together in a breathtaking landscape. This park is home to some of the most well-preserved ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings in the world, offering a unique window into the lives of the people who lived here over 700 years ago.
Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, Olympic National Park is a place of unparalleled natural beauty and diverse landscapes. From its towering peaks and misty rainforests to its rugged coastline and alpine meadows, Olympic National Park is a place that has captured the hearts of visitors for generations.
Nestled in the heart of the American Southwest, Petrified Forest National Park is a place of unparalleled natural beauty and geological wonder. For centuries, visitors have been drawn to this unique landscape, with its colorful hills, towering mesas, and petrified wood that has captivated the imagination for generations.
Embark on a journey to the rugged northern coast of California and experience the grandeur of Redwood National Park. Here, where towering redwoods soar towards the sky and pristine beaches stretch endlessly along the horizon, you will be swept away by the park’s stunning beauty and ecological significance.
Wind Cave National Park is a hidden gem featuring one of the world’s longest and most complex cave systems, nestled in the heart of South Dakota’s Black Hills. Wind Cave National Park is world-renowned for its unique boxwork formations and intricate cave patterns, offering a range of unforgettable activities.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a vast wilderness encompassing towering mountain ranges, immense glaciers, and untamed rivers, located in the remote expanses of southeastern Alaska. As the largest national park in the United States, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park offers an unparalleled wilderness experience.
