Over 400 national parks and monuments in the United States offer visitors the opportunity to experience scenic grandeur, historical significance, recreation, educational opportunities, and personal renewal. Since the establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, the nation's first national park, the parks have developed into valuable resources, motivating successive generations of people with their diverse and distinctive natural landscapes.
And even though there are specific times of the year that are set aside for celebrating America's national parks, such as the week of April that is designated as National Park Week, you can celebrate and experience the nation's most incredible parks and monuments at any time of the year. In fact, you should do so. Find a national park that is close to you or make plans to travel to one that you haven't been to before to enjoy a camping trip, picnic, evening of stargazing, trekking excursion, or other outdoor activity. We have high hopes that the information we have provided will inspire you to include a trip to a national park on your list of destinations for this year.
Olympic National Park and Forest, located in the state of Washington
This park in the Pacific Northwest has been given the prestigious title of World Heritage Site because it protects several distinct ecosystems, including subalpine, coastal, temperate rainforest, and lowland woodland. Climbers, hikers, backpackers, and campers all find the topography and variety of this area to be very appealing. There are activities such as fishing, boating, observing wildlife, and looking at the stars in the night sky.
There are several options for lodging within the park, including the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, which features cabins, a restaurant, and pools fed by hot springs, and the historic Lake Crescent Lodge, which features guest rooms set among gigantic fir and hemlock trees on the shores of Lake Crescent. If camping isn't your thing, consider one of these other options. The Log Cabin Resort is available to guests from May 21 through September. 30, 2021, provides a number of different types of accommodations in addition to spots for RVs and tents.
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
This park, which can be found in the southwestern part of Colorado, is responsible for the preservation of close to 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings that are considered to be among the most well conserved in the entire country. The Ancestral Pueblo people, also known as the "Anasazi," constructed elaborate stone dwellings high on canyon walls around 1,400 years ago. These dwellings can sometimes be found today. During their roughly 700 years of residence there, they transitioned from nomadic to agricultural lifestyles. Visitors are able to experience these historic locations via both self-guided and ranger-led tours. Evening activities include discussions around a campfire, gazing at the stars, and twilight walks as additional ways to connect with the archaeological treasures on display.
Inside the boundaries of the park is where you'll find the Far View Lodge, which has 150 rooms decked out in classic Western style and featuring private balconies and breathtaking panoramas. Slow-smoked barbecue chicken, ribs, and brisket can be enjoyed at the Spruce Tree Terrace Cafe or the Far View Terrace Patio, both of which are located in close proximity to the Lodge. The Mesa Verde Metate Room at the Far View Lodge is a restaurant that has won multiple awards and focuses on using local and sustainable ingredients to prepare contemporary Southwestern cuisine.
Denali, located in Alaska, is a national park and preserve.
This national park protects 6 million acres of wilderness in the interior of Alaska, including Denali, formerly known as Mount McKinley, which is the tallest mountain in North America. The park's terrain includes tundra, spruce woodland, glaciers, and a variety of large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and caribou. Dall sheep also call this place home. The only route in the park is 92 miles long and is composed of sand, gravel, and some asphalt. In Denali, some of the most popular things to do include mountain climbing, skiing, dog sledding, hiking, and taking bus excursions.
It’s #WorldWaterDay! Your national parks protect incredible watersheds, drinking water sources, habitats, and underwater resources across the country. 💧
— National Park Service (@NatlParkService) March 22, 2023
Learn about some of the ways parks study and protect important waters at https://t.co/MHcRUr0kkA
📸@GrandTetonNPS pic.twitter.com/U5wKoSSXzB
There are campgrounds within the park, but the majority of the accessible lodging is located outside the park's boundaries. Denali Park Village, accessible May 27-Sept. Along the Nenana River and seven kilometers south of the national park is where you'll find the number 18, 2021.
Yosemite National Park is located in the state of California.
Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and encompasses close to 1,200 square miles of valleys, meadows, and wilderness areas. The park is most famous for its waterfalls, ancient gigantic sequoias, and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. In addition to simply taking in the natural splendor of the park, a number of popular activities can be found there, including climbing rocks, horseback riding, rock climbing, backpacking, camping, fishing, and observing birds. Hikers and photographers are drawn to Yosemite National Park's many waterfalls, particularly in the spring and early summer months when the falls are at their peak flow.
Bus tours departing from Yosemite Valley to different locations within the park can be taken at any time of the year. There is a wide variety of places to stay, from simple tent sites to the opulent Ahwahnee Hotel, which is a National Historic Landmark. The structure first opened its doors in the 1920s but has undergone extensive renovations in recent years, earning it the name Majestic Yosemite Hotel.
Everglades National Park, located in Florida's Everglades
The coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes, and pine flatwoods that make up this 1.5 million-acre wetland sanctuary in the southwestern corner of Florida are home to a variety of wildlife. The park is home to several hundred different kinds of animals, some of which are critically threatened, such as the Florida panther, leatherback turtle, manatee, and American crocodile.
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Guests have the opportunity to participate in ranger-led excursions such as the Everglades Exploration, which is offered at the Shark Valley Visitor Center; the Python Talk, which is presented at the Flamingo Visitor Center; the Everglades Adventure Car Caravan; and the Anhinga Amble. There is a possibility of seeing crocodiles, wading birds, and other species of wildlife in their natural environment when taking the Shark Valley Tram Tour. This tour, which can be guided by either a park ranger or a naturalist, comes at an additional expense, and prior reservation is highly recommended.
Mammoth Cave, located in Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park
This park, which is situated in the hilly countryside of south-central Kentucky and is a part of the Green River Valley, is home to more than 400 miles of caverns that have been explored, including the longest cave in the United States. In addition to investigating the caves, many other activities, such as hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, and kayaking, are popular here. Cave tours are available in a wide range of difficulties, allowing tourists the opportunity to view gypsum formations, ancient cave writing, and the natural history of the caverns. Tours can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. Through the theme park's official website, reservations can be made.
Cottages, cabins, and accommodations in the main lodge are all available at the cozy and homey Lodge at Mammoth Cave, which is located in the shadow of massive oak trees. The Green River Grill at the Lodge serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Spelunker's Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor offer more casual eating options. The Green River Grill is situated in a convenient location near the park's entrance and visitor center.
There are three established campgrounds, as well as more than a dozen primitive sites in the surrounding wilderness and along the Green and Nolin Rivers, which together offer a diverse selection of camping opportunities. A number of different areas within the park can serve as settings for picnics.
Maine's Acadia National Park is located in
Acadia National Park is a recreation area on the Atlantic coast that spans 47,000 acres and is located close to the community of Bar Harbor. It is distinguished by its dense forests, rocky beaches, and granite peaks, including Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest point on the East Coast of the United States.
There are hiking trails throughout the park that range in length and level of difficulty, allowing visitors the opportunity to see wildlife such as moose, bears, whales, and seabirds. Birdwatching is a popular activity, and there are walks intended specifically to allow visitors to observe birds of the coast, such as peregrine falcons, ducks, and other species. In addition, for an additional fee, visitors can go on bicycle excursions led by park rangers as well as boat cruises. Check the park's website frequently for updates and to make any necessary arrangements.
The park features five lean-to shelters on Isle du Haut in addition to its two campgrounds on Mount Desert Island and its one campground on the Schoodic Peninsula. Although there are no places to stay within the park itself, there are plenty of options in the cities that are close by. There are numerous locations within the park that offer picnic spaces with fireplaces.
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The Jordan Pond House Restaurant is well known for its traditional afternoon tea, which includes popovers and other light delicacies. The restaurant was originally constructed in the 1890s. recipes made with Maine lobster can be found on the lunch and supper menus. These recipes include lobster rolls, lobster stew, and boiled lobster. Desserts there often incorporate blueberries picked from the area. The restaurant will not be accepting reservations for the upcoming season of 2021 and will instead provide table service on a first-come, first-served basis.
Montana's Glacier National Park is located in
The park encompasses a total area of 1,583 square miles and is located in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. It features glacier-carved peaks and valleys that extend all the way to the Canadian boundary. The park encompasses more than 700 miles of hiking routes and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including everything from mountain goats to grizzly bears.
There is a wide variety of activities that are conducted by rangers, some of which include photo walks, easy walks, all-day hikes, evening talks, and boat tours. Midway through the month of June is when the programs begin, and the schedules are generally made accessible about two weeks before the first of each month. Check out the website of the campground for more information and to make reservations.
The variety of available lodging in the park spans from quaint log cottages to stately old mansions. The Lake McDonald Lodge, which is designed in the manner of a Swiss chalet, can be found ten miles inside the park's west entrance. This historic lodge was constructed in 1913 and is located on the eastern shore of Lake McDonald. It features a main structure, a row of cabins, Snyder Hall, and Cobb House. The Lodge will be available to guests beginning on May 15, 2021, and staying open until September 22, 2021.
The Cedar Creek Lodge Hotel and Conference Center is a year-round destination that is located just outside the park and features a variety of facilities such as an indoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and complimentary served breakfast.
The park has over a thousand campsites spread out across thirteen distinct campgrounds; several of these locations can be reserved through the park's official website.