The reintroduction of gray wolves (Canis lupus) to Yellowstone National Park is one of the greatest wildlife conservation success stories in the national parks. In fact, the return of the wolf to Yellowstone has been so successful that the park is now considered the best place in the world to see wolves in the wild….
From easy hikes along the Bryce Canyon rim to strenuous adventures in the heart of Bryce Amphitheater, there are a handful of hiking trails in Bryce Canyon National Park that can be combined to create fun, longer loops.
While the otherworldly landscapes of the South Dakota Badlands used to deter early fur trappers and pioneers, they now attract casual hikers and experienced backpackers alike. Compared to most U.S. national parks, there are relatively few hiking trails in Badlands National Park, but they do offer an amazing, immersive hiking experience. The Badlands National Park…
Preserving one of America’s last remaining tracts of intact mixed-grass prairie, Badlands National Park is home to several iconic prairie animals. If you’re planning to do some wildlife watching during your visit to Badlands National Park, this guide will help you find the best areas to do that. From the popular Badlands Loop Road to…
Although the vast majority of people visiting Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park do so on a multi-day cruise, you can also visit this spectacular park on your own. Bartlett Cove is the park’s only developed area, home to a lodge, visitor information center, and some excellent day hikes. In fact, Bartlett Cove is the only…
Fall is the peak tourist season in Shenandoah National Park, a time when thousands of leaf-peepers leisurely travel up and down Skyline Drive looking for the best fall foliage views. And those fall landscapes along the 105 meandering miles of Skyline Drive are absolutely spectacular indeed. Shenandoah is unquestionably one of the best national parks…
Mid-September marks the unofficial start of the fall season in Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park. As the days slowly grow shorter and temperatures drop, the park’s high-elevation slopes begin showing vibrant fall foliage. Despite the park’s lack of sprawling broadleaf forests, there’s more than enough other deciduous vegetation at Mount Rainier to put on quite…
Come September, the forested hills and lakeshores of Acadia National Park slowly begin to exchange summer’s greens for the vibrant hues of autumn. As temperatures slowly decrease and the days grow shorter, the park’s deciduous trees lose their chlorophyll, bringing out all kinds of yellow, orange, red, and scarlet. By mid-October, the fall foliage in…
Alaska’s remote Glacier Bay National Park may require some effort to reach, but once there, you’ll be immediately immersed in a landscape that never fails to exceed expectations. This is a park with many different aspects—it is the homeland of the Huna Tlingit, a sprawling wilderness, a scientist’s playground, a national park, an international biosphere…
Camping is extremely popular among holidaying Americans and what better place to pitch your tent or park your RV than a national park campground? And I’ll do one better: is there a more fun place to camp than a national park campground on the beach? I didn’t think so either! So here’s a list of…
With its white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, turquoise waters, and numerous scenic views, Virgin Islands National Park is an absolute paradise—a park unlike any other. One of my personal highlights of this park is watching the sunrise, whether it’s from an overlook or on a beach. While it does require some effort getting up early…
Home to the tallest trees on Earth, many of which soar more than 350 feet above the forest floor below, the Redwood National and State Parks are unique in the world. This four-park complex preserves some of the last remaining groves of coast redwoods. Other attractions include a rugged coastline, prairies and wildlife.
Up to 90% of people who visit Glacier Bay National Park in southeast Alaska do so on a cruise ship. They never actually set foot on land, thus missing out on a large part of what this incredible park is all about. There is another option, though! Instead of going on a cruise, I strongly…
Arguably the most scenic area in one of the most spectacular national parks, Many Glacier has a seemingly endless supply of fun to offer. This amazing corner of Glacier National Park is home to wildlife, pristine glacial lakes, alpine meadows, epic hikes and historic accommodations. Every ingredient for an unforgettable few days is available in…