Trip Ideas

National Parks

With more than 60 national parks, plus hundreds of national monuments, seashores, preserves, battlefields, and more, our National Park System offers visitors more than 85 million acres of beautiful, protected public land. History buffs, nature enthusiasts, extreme sportspeople, and laid-back campers alike can find fun, tranquility, and unbelievable scenery, from Yellowstone's geysers and springs to the Everglades' gator-filled swamps. Iconic outdoor destinations like Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Grand Canyon are justifiably popular, but there are many lesser-known sites to discover, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Latest Stories

A large stone and wood hotel building with a mountain backdrop and green lawn in Yosemite National Park

This Is One of the Most Haunted Places in California—and It’s Located in a Famous National Park

A view of the Grand Canyons Desert View Drive with a watchtower on a ridge at sunset

Most Grand Canyon Visitors Miss This Scenic 25-mile Drive—but It Has Has Some of the Park’s Best Views

Rock formations and landscape with a backdrop of mountains and clouds

This Utah State Park Is a Less-crowded Alternative to Nearby National Parks—and It Was Named After How Photogenic It Is

A notable rock formation in Palo Duro Canyon

This Lesser-known State Park Is Home to the ‘Grand Canyon of Texas’—How to Visit

Scenic view of a river winding through a valley surrounded by forested hills

The Newest National Park Is One of the Best Places to See Fall Foliage—and It Has the Most Photographed Bridge in West Virginia

A tranquil lake with two blue boats, surrounded by lush greenery and mountains in the distance

This National Park Has a Royal-favorite Castle, Whisky Distilleries, and a 90-mile Scenic Drive

Delicate Arch in a mountainous desert landscape

This Surreal National Park Has 2,000+ Natural Stone Arches, Starry Night Skies, and a Scenic 18-mile Drive

Rocky mountains with a prominent dome and forestcovered valley

What to Know Before Visiting U.S. National Parks This Summer Amid Staffing Cuts and Record Visitor Numbers

A mountain with a winding road and forest in the foreground

This 50-mile Scenic Drive Through Glacier National Park Passes Stunning Waterfalls, Glaciers, and Mountains

Lighthouse on a small island with tropical trees and surrounding water

This Florida National Park Is 95% Water—and You Can Kayak Through Mangroves and Scuba Dive Around Shipwrecks

Zion Canyon rock formations seen from Zion Overlook

This Utah National Park Has Canyon Views and Postcard-worthy Landscapes—and One of the Scariest Hikes in the U.S.

Mountain range with a lake and grassy meadow, trees in the foreground

This Is the Largest National Park in the U.S.—With 13 Million Acres of Mountains, Glaciers, and Ghost Towns

Waterfall flowing over a rocky ledge in a forest setting, surrounded by rocks and autumn foliage.

This National Park Has a Vineyard, Long-distance Bike Trail, and 60-foot Waterfall—and It’s Not Where You’d Expect

Niobrara River, Nebraska

This Is the Quietest Trail in the U.S.—and It Follows a Stunning 76-mile Scenic River

Synchronized Fireflies at Congaree National Park

This Lesser-known U.S. National Park Is One of the Best Places to See the Annual Synchronous Fireflies — What to Know

High angle view of a volcanic crater, Vesuvius National Park, Campania, Italy

This National Park in Naples Was Just Named the Most Photogenic in Italy — Here's How to Visit

Empty footpath amidst trees in forest in Ice Age National Scenic Trail

You Can Hike the Same Path as Mammoths and Saber Tooth Tigers at This Midwest National Park

Field of Veitch's Bamboo in the Shiretoko Goko Lakes area in Shiretoko National Park, Hokkaido

I Saw Bears, Sperm Whales, and Red-crowned Cranes in Some of Japan’s Most Beautiful National Parks

Sweeping view of Great Basin National Park in Baker, Nevada from scenic road drive

These Are the Most Underrated National Parks in the U.S., According to Reddit

A couple canoeing

This Maryland Park Has the Bluest Water in the State—How to Visit

Panoramic view of rocky mountains against sky in Pinnacles National Park, California

I'm a California Native and I Believe This Is One of the Most Underrated National Parks in the State

Autumn trees with a rocky mountain in the background at McKittrick Canyon Guadalupe Mountains National Park Texas

The Least-visited National Park in Texas Is Also the Best Place to See Fall Foliage in the State

Navigating Nature. Wooden stairs traverse the rugged landscape, guiding hikers through the challenging terrain of the Garden of Eden Trail.

This Florida State Park Looks Like North Carolina — With Waterfalls, Beautiful Hiking Trails, and One of the Rarest Trees in the World

Road leading towards striped rock formations Petrified Forest National Park Arizona

This National Park in the Painted Desert Has a ‘Rainbow Forest’—and Route 66 Americana Vibes

People hiking through a river canyon surrounded by tall cliffs in Zion National Park

This Is One of the Most Unique National Park Trails in the U.S.—and It Takes You Through a River Canyon With 1,000-foot-tall Sandstone Walls

Nature trail boardwalk over a bright-green moss-covered swamp trail at Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring, Florida.

I've Lived in Florida for 27 Years — and These Are the Best State Parks to Visit

starry night sky in Medicine Rocks State Park

This Montana State Park Is a Year-round Destination — But Here's Why Winter Is Especially Magical

A lone person walking on sand dunes under a bright blue sky

This National Park Is a ‘Waterless Sea’—and It Has Giant Sand Dunes That Glow Pink and Blue at Sunset

Longs Peak and Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park during fall

These National Parks Will Require Reservations in 2025

A stone arch bridge over a small waterfall in a garden setting with a person sitting on top of the bridge

This May Be The Most Unique National Park in the U.S.—and It Has Historic Bathhouses, Thermal Springs, and a Brewery

Coastal areas of Isle Royale were once submerged beneath prehistoric lake waters, and contain many tumbled boulders and other large rocks.

This U.S. National Park Was Just Named No. 1 for Families

Scenic view of a lake surrounded by autumn foliage and rugged hills in a nature park

This Is Ireland’s Oldest National Park—and It Has Rare Wildlife, Mysterious Medieval Ruins, and Stunning Lake Views

Moat wall of Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park

This Florida National Park Was Named One of the Most Underrated in the U.S. — and It Has 7 Islands, Crystal-clear Waters, and Isn't Accessible by Car

Expansive view of snow-capped mountains and forested valleys under a dynamic sky

Travel + Leisure Readers' 25 Favorite National Parks in the U.S. of 2025

Otter Cliff in Acadia National Park

This East Coast National Park Is the Next Big RV Destination in 2025 — With RV-friendly Campgrounds, 27 Miles of Historic Roads, and Plenty of Wildlife

A boat navigating a serene body of water bordered by dense green trees, with a blue sky and scattered clouds overhead

The Most Scenic Way to Explore This Remote Midwestern National Park Is by Boat—and It Has Mirror-like Lakes and 500 Islands

A camper van sits peacefully under a star filled sky in Death Valley National Park, California.

This U.S. National Park Has a Free Stargazing Festival in March — and You Can See the Milky Way Without a Telescope

A forest path surrounded by trees and greenery

The Largest Temperate Rain Forest in the World Is in the U.S.—and It Has Stunning Glaciers and Fjords

Scenic view of North Cascades National Park

This Is the Most Underrated National Park in the U.S. — and It Has More Than 300 Glaciers

Aerial view of cliff dwellings.

The Essential Guide to Mesa Verde National Park

Lost Mine Trail in Big Bend National Park

This 4.8-mile 'Hidden Gem' Hike in a Gorgeous National Park Is One of the Best in the World, According to AllTrails

A desert mountain with striations and a prominent peak against a sky with scattered clouds

This National Park Is One of the Least-visited in the U.S.—but It's Home to the Tallest Mountain in Texas

Scenic views of Gros Morne National Park in Canada

One of Canada's Least-visited National Parks Is a Stunning Alternative For Banff—With Fjords, Coastal Paths, and Lush Forests

Ocmulgee National Monument Park

Georgia May Be Getting Its First National Park Soon — and It Has More Than Just Scenic Trails

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

This Lesser-known Utah National Park Is a Dupe for Zion—With Similar Colorful Canyons and Towering Cliffs But Fewer Visitors

A man with an orange backpack in a Florida swamp

The Everglades Is One of America's Most Overlooked National Parks—Here's Why You Should Visit This Watery Wilderness

A scenic view of Yosemite Valley with surrounding cliffs and forested areas

How to Volunteer at National Parks in 2025

Landscape of red rock formations

Bryce Canyon National Park Travel Guide

Starry sky over Bryce Canyon National Park

This U.S. State Has the Most Dark Sky-certified Spots in the World—Making It a Must-visit Stargazing Destination

Bryce Canyon National Park

You Can Get Free Entry Into U.S. National Parks This Weekend—What to Know

Channel Islands National Park in California

21 Gorgeous U.S. National Parks That Are Free Every Single Day in 2025

Tent at The Fields of Michigan

You Can Stay at a Blueberry Farm in Michigan or a 200-acre Yellowstone Ranch With Under Canvas's New Brand

Large water falls into a canyon

12 U.S. National Parks You Can Visit Without a Car

Crater Lake in Oregon

The Deepest Lake in the U.S. Is Closing for 3 Years After This Summer—What to Know

Cacti with mountains in the background.

Guide to Visiting Saguaro National Park

New Nymph Lake thermal feature

There’s a New Geyser in Yellowstone National Park—Here’s How You Can See It

White sand dunes and a blue sky with fluffy clouds

This Lesser-known National Park Feels 'Extraterrestrial' With Bone-white Sand Dunes and Sky-blue Lagoons—Here’s What It Was Like to Visit

Train next to river

This 11-day Train Journey Lets You Visit Both Yosemite and Yellowstone in One Incredible Trip

Arenal Volcano and Arenal Volcano National Park

This National Park Has 2 Volcanos, Hot Springs, and Scenic Hiking Trails — and Now Is the Best Season to Visit

Lake Louise at Banff National Park

Banff National Park Is Magical in the Winter With Skiing, Frozen Waterfalls, and Castle Hotels—Here's How to Plan a Visit

Trees and rocks in Joshua Tree National Park

Guide to Visiting Joshua Tree National Park

Yosemite National Park

Your National Park Visit Could Be Different This Summer Following NPS Layoffs—What to Know