As a child, my parents would love to take my sister and I on trips to National Parks. I remember this being one of the things I looked forward to the most as a child. I can still remember the excitement I felt the first time I saw Old Faithful, the famous Yellowstone National Park Geyser. So, today’s blog will look at the best parks I have been to and a few that I hope to visit in the future. There are over 423 National Parks that sit on 84 million acres. WOZWA, I may not make all of them in this lifetime. XOXO. Drop us a comment on your favorite National Park.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountain in California, Yosemite has the whole family covered for things to see and do. Yosemite has some of the most beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails for every skill level. Yosemite Falls is gorgeous but a little hard to get to.

WHERE TO STAY

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite

HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK

Haleakala National Park is known for great hiking, zip lining and horseback riding. Located on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui, the park offers so many great things. Visit the Haleakala volcano for great views. It is thought to have erupted the last time over 400 years ago so it is considered dormant. Also on your list, visit Haleakala National Park summit district.

WHERE TO STAY

Ho’omana Spa Maui

CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

If you love whale watching, then Channel Islands in Southern California is the place to go. Kayaking in sea caves is a wonderful experience and snorkeling is a top thing to do in Channel Islands.

WHERE TO STAY

Brisas Del Mar, Inn At The Beach

MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

Mount Rainier National Park, just south of Seattle is home to the 14,410-foot Mount Rainier. Known for great hiking and snowshoeing in the winter months, the park offers beautiful views all around.

WHERE TO STAY

Alta Crystal Resort at Mount Rainier

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

Acadia National Park is by far one of the most beautiful parks in the U.S. Located in Maine on Mount Desert Island, you for sure need to hike to the top of the Cadillac Mountain. It offers one of the best sunrises you will ever see.

WHERE TO STAY

Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

If you enjoy rock climbing, biking, rafting or want to just have an A+ adventure, then Arches National Park in Utah is the place to book. Top things to do include: visit to Delicate Arch, check out the Devils Garden Trailhead, and Sand Dune Arch. If you enjoy extreme like me, check out Arches National Park 4×4 Adventure from Moab.

WHERE TO STAY

Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa
Main Stay Suites

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

When you think of Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful probably comes to mind. It does for me at least because as a child, this was one of the most exciting things for me. I traveled to Yellowstone with my family and ever since I have dreamed of living there some day. It erupts every 90 minutes so you will for sure be able to catch it. Make sure to check out the hot spring Grand Prismatic. And who can forget about the wildlife at Yellowstone. From deer, buffalo, elk, coyotes, moose and wolves, they are something to see. You can pull off the road and see any of these animals at once. If you are looking for a wildlife guide, check out Yellowstone Forever. They are a nonprofit that offers great expeditions all year long. If you can get on the list, check out Lamar Valley Wolf Week, it offers lodging at a biology field station.

WHERE TO STAY

Canyon Village

GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a dream for hikers. Check out Trillium Gap Trail and Rainbow Falls Trail. The waterfall at the end of Rainbow Falls is gorgeous (80 foot high). As a child, this was one of my families’ favorite vacations when we would take our RV on a trip.

WHERE TO STAY

Rent a cabin- the perfect way to enjoy the Smokies

DENALI NATIONAL PARK

Denali National Park, what can we say? It is breathtaking. Located about 6 hours from Anchorage Alaska, Mount Denali is North America’s highest peak. If you see grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, moose and caribou, you just witnessed what is known as the Denali Slam.

WHERE TO STAY

McKinley Chalet Resort

MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK

Ok so I am a little partial to the next destination because it is located in Kentucky, but bias aside, Mammoth Cave National Park is a must see on any National Park list. It has the longest explored cave system in the world. You will love exploring the 400 miles of this cave system. Frozen Niagara is my fav to see. The caves are the same temperature year-round so maybe check it out in the winter when the crowds won’t be so bad. The great thing about the caves is they are FREE. Mammoth is the world’s largest cave system and is also a part of the international biosphere reserve. New caves are always being discovered so who knows how long it really is. While you are there, go check out the Corvette Museum.

WHERE TO STAY

You can stay inside the park at Lodge at Mammoth or travel to Bowling Green, which is a bigger city and has many things to do

KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK

This is a wonderful park that covers over 600,000 acres and also has one of the largest ice fields in the United States. If you are looking for glaciers and some of the best marine life, this is the park for you. The Park offers some of the best fishing around.

WHERE TO STAY

Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge