The Most Beautiful National Park Beaches in the U.S.
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Yosemite, Yellowstone, Redwood: When we think of national parks, more often than not, we think of forests. But there are plenty of beach options, too, from Maine to Washington and everywhere in between. Some have wild horses while others have clear blue waters, but all offer a look at the incredible natural beauty of the United States. To inspire your next road trip or day trip in the sun, here are the 11 most beautiful national park beaches in the country.
This gallery was originally published in August 2016. It has been updated with new information.
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Acadia National Park, Maine
It may only be 290 yards long, but what Acadia National Park's Sand Beach lacks in size it more than makes up for in beauty. Nestled between two mountains, the beach is the perfect spot to explore after an early breakfast in Bar Harbor (take the Sand Beach shuttle to the beach's stop). Choose from two hiking trails—the mostly flat Great Head Trail and the more adventurous Beehive Loop—both of which afford stunning ocean and mountain views.
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Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland and Virginia
Along the shore at the border of Maryland and Virginia, the Assateague Island National Seashore has some of the loveliest national park beaches in the country—thanks in large part to its famous population of wild horses. We recommend camping right on Assateague Island for an unforgettable experience, where you can feel the spray of the Atlantic as you sunbathe on the sand and kayak through salt marshes.
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Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
Just 11 miles off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix are best known for their white-sand beaches, reef and wreck diving, and ecological preserves. St. John hold the honor of containing the Virgin Islands National Park, where visitors can snorkel the coral reefs and hike to sugar plantation ruins.
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Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
Accessible via a three-mile boat or ferry ride off North Carolina's coast, the islands of the Cape Lookout National Seashore have no shortage of fun activities. For a relaxing day trip, spend your sunlight hours swimming on Shackleford Banks, walk the nature trails on Harkers Island, and collect seashells pretty much anywhere you can find sand. But since you came all this way, you might as well stay overnight in one of the park's cabins and take advantage of the incredible stargazing opportunities come nighttime.
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Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
One of the only U.S. national parks that exists primarily over open water, Florida's Dry Tortugas National Park takes a bit of work to reach. Unless you have your own boat, you'll have to take a ferry or seaplane about 70 miles west from Key West (little wonder it's one of the least visited national parks in the country). Once there, however, you'll be rewarded with pristine Gulf of Mexico waters, historic architecture, and tons of marine life to view while swimming and snorkeling.
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Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area received 12.4 million visitors in 2020, making it the second most-visited National Park Service site of the year. It's easy to see why the area is so popular: Aside from affording views of the eponymous red bridge, the diverse park contains 19 different ecosystems, meaning there truly is something for everyone here. Beach lovers should be especially happy here, as they can choose from such famous stretches of sand as Muir Beach (for clothing-optional sunbathers), Stinson Beach (for excellent swimming), and Baker Beach (for fishing and unobstructed bridge views).
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Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Alaska is home to several national parks, but we have a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to Kenai Fjords National Park—especially when it comes to not-your-average beach destinations. The park is known for its massive glaciers, year-round water sports (kayaking, ice skating, dog mushing), and viewings of the Northern Lights from September through April, as well as wildlife viewing that includes puffins, sea lions, and breaching whales. When you're not actually on the water, set up camp on one of the park's many beaches, dotted with driftwood and perfect for camping. Or land on the shores of Fox Island in the heart of Resurrection Bay, home to the eight cabins and cozy main lodge of Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge.
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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
Hugging the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is known for its unique sandstone cliffs that stretch for 15 miles. The rocks have been eroded into sea caves, blowholes, and arches over the years, while deposits of mineral-rich rocks give the cliffs a colorful, striped appearance. The Twelvemile Beach Campground is the best place to camp in the area, with views of Lake Superior and kayak rentals nearby.
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Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park contains oceanic coastlines, temperate rain forests, and alpine mountains within its boundaries. There are 168 miles of paved roads in the park—making it one of our favorite road trip destinations—but few go close to the coast, so you'll have to do some planning to get the best views. Head down Highway 101, which circumnavigates the Olympic Peninsula, and pull out at viewpoints along the scenic eight-mile stretch from Ruby Beach to Kalaloch to walk down to the sand and get some face time with the rocky Pacific.
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Point Reyes National Seashore, California
If the traffic is favorable, you can make it to the Point Reyes National Seashore on the Pacific Coast in just over an hour from San Francisco. Defined by its rocky coasts and expansive sand beaches, the site is known for its more than 1,500 wildlife species, from gray whales and harbor seals to golden eagles and tule elk. When you're done kayaking or visiting the Point Reyes lighthouse, stop by the 11-mile-long Great Beach for jaw-dropping cliffs and crashing waves.
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Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
Home to some of the best beaches in Texas, Padre Island has the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, much of which is protected by the underrated Padre Island National Seashore. The park only has one vehicle entrance and a few miles of paved roads, meaning the shores here are quiet and crowd-free. All the better to appreciate the site's wildlife populations, including 380 bird species and baby sea turtles hatching along the coast. While you can set up an umbrella on one of the beaches here and leave whenever you like, we recommend bringing a tent and camping directly on the sand for a few dollars per night.