National Parks
With more than 420 national park sites across the country, there's plenty to explore.
Inspiration
The 57 Most Beautiful Places in the World
From the Serengeti to the Grand Canyon.
By Caitlin Morton and Kat Chen
National Parks
The 25 Best National Parks in the US, From Acadia to Yosemite
From classics that can’t be missed, to the totally underrated.
By Josh Laskin
National Parks
The 10 Best Places to Travel in August
Soak up those last days of summer in style.
By Caitlin Morton
Adventure
The Best Camping Spots in the United States
You'll never run out of camping trip ideas again.
By Emily Pennington
National Parks
National Parks in Photos: The Most Beautiful Image We Could Find of Every US National Park
Dramatic sand dunes, red-rock canyons, and turquoise waters ahead.
By Caitlin Morton
Park Guides
- National Parks
A Complete Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park
Find the best views, waterfalls, peaks, and lakes at this iconic alpine park.By Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan - National Parks
A Complete Guide to Visiting Yosemite National Park
From the best hikes to comfy Airstreams to rent.By Emily Pennington - National Parks
A Complete Guide to Olympic National Park
Home to snow-capped mountains, temperate rainforests, and breathtaking coastline, this Washington park has so much to explore.By Kayla Brock - National Parks
A Complete Guide to Shenandoah National Park
From the blackberry ice cream pie you don’t want to miss, to the park’s crown jewel that’s on many a day hikers’ bucket list.By Erin Gifford - National Parks
A Guide to Sequoia National Park and King's Canyon National Park
Walk among giants in these neighboring California parks.By Emily Pennington - National Parks
A Complete Guide to Dry Tortugas National Park
This park is 99 percent water—yet it's packed with history.By Matt Kirouac - National Parks
A Complete Guide to Zion National Park
The best time to visit, lesser-known scenic drives, and expert-led excursions you won't want to miss.By Emily Pennington - National Parks
A Complete Guide to Big Bend National Park
From the canyon hike you don't want to miss, to the best spot to down a sotol margarita after a long day of exploring.By Pam LeBlanc - National Parks
A Complete Guide to Crater Lake National Park
A complete guide to the Oregon park, including when to go, where to stay, and how to get the best views.By JD Shadel - National Parks
A Complete Guide to Yellowstone National Park
Despite its busiest summer season in history, you can still find serenity in Yellowstone National Park.By Nina Kokotas Hahn - National Parks
A Complete Guide to Grand Canyon National Park
From jaw-dropping treks deep into the canyon to splurge-worthy glamping with red-rock views.By Emily Pennington - National Parks
A Complete Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park
Plus, hoodoo-filled vistas you won't want to miss.By Maya Silver - National Parks
A Complete Guide to Denali National Park
Spot moose, catch glimpses of the Northern Lights, and hike past glimmering waterways.By Lisa Maloney
National Parks
8 Ways to Experience America’s National Parks After Dark
From Great Basin National Park’s Star Train to a rare firefly dance in the Great Smoky Mountains.
By Jacqueline Kehoe
National Parks
The Most Accessible National Parks in the U.S.
Paved pathways, all-terrain wheelchairs for rent, and tactile exhibits make these parks accessible to a wider range of travelers.
By Josh Laskin
National Parks
7 National Park Alternatives to Yellowstone, Zion, and More
With 63 national parks to choose from, it's easy to find space of your own. You just need to know where to look.
By Emily Pennington
Where to Stay
- Places to Stay
The Most Beautiful National Park Hotels in the US
From lovely cabins to sprawling ranch resorts.By Caitlin Morton and Kristin Conard - Places to Stay
The Coolest Airbnb Near Every US National Park
From Yellowstone lodges to Key West bungalows, bookmark these remarkable Airbnbs for your next trip to a national park.By Emily Pennington and Jessica Chapel - Places to Stay
Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park
From cozy mountain lodges to Airbnbs with stellar views, 23 excellent lodging options for your next national park trip.By Emily Pennington - Places to Stay
The Best Places to Stay Near Yosemite
Plus, glamping sites, hotels with spas, and more.By Emily Pennington - Places to Stay
The Best Places to Stay Near Acadia National Park
From oceanfront homes and glamping options to charming boutique hotels.By Emily Pennington - Places to Stay
The Best Places to Stay in Olympic National Park
Choosing just one place to bed down in this beautiful, biodiverse Washington park is no easy feat.By Emily Pennington - Places to Stay
Where to Stay in and Around Zion National Park
Whether red rock views, stargazing, walkability, or a hot tub is your top priority, we know where you should stay near Zion.By Emily Pennington - Places to Stay
Where to Stay Near Glacier National Park
From lakeside yurts to rustic log cabins, these are the coolest accommodations near the Montana park.By Emily Pennington - Places to Stay
The Best Sequoia National Park Hotels, Cabins, and Airbnbs
Equidistant from Los Angeles and San Francisco, these lodgings offer the best of Sequoia National Park and neighboring Kings Canyon National Park.By Emily Pennington - Places to Stay
The Best Places to Stay in Banff National Park
From a ski-in hotel room to a château on the banks.By Alexandra Toto - Places to Stay
The Best Places to Stay Near Grand Canyon National Park
Hotel, glamping, and rental options for every traveler, whether your focus is nature, spas, or fine dining.By Emily Pennington - Rentals
The Best Places to Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park
Geothermal pools, Victorian architecture, and the inspiration for ‘The Shining’ await.By Emily Pennington - Places to Stay
The Best Rentals and Hotels in Big Bend
Browse cabins, glamping retreats, and adobe abodes for your next adventure in the wilds of West Texas.By Emily Pennington - Places to Stay
Where to Stay Near White Sands National Park
From boutique Western hotels to gorgeous glamping domes.By Alexandra Toto
Hiking Recommendations
Destinations
The 10 Best Hikes in Joshua Tree for Surreal Desert Views
Joshua Tree National Park has 8,000 climbing routes—these provide the best panoramas, with the greatest accessibility.
By Ikya Kandula
National Parks
8 Bryce Canyon Hikes for Hoodoos, Stone Arches, and Even Waterfalls
From accessible strolls to sweat-breaking loops.
By Emily Pennington
National Parks
14 Yosemite Hikes for Unbeatable Views
Yosemite was one of the first parcels to be set aside for preservation and recreation—here's how best to explore its over 800 miles of scenic trails.
By Garrick Ramirez
National Parks
11 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park for Every Skill Level
From a trail that overlooks a glacier to a stunning climb along the continental divide, these Glacier trails have it all.
By Kayla Brock
Destinations
13 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park
From easy walks through alpine fields to scenic climbs up 12,000-foot mountains.
By Emily Pennington
National Parks
13 Best Hikes in Zion National Park
Whether you want to plan a two-day backpacking trek, or a quick mile walk to a lookout.
By Alicia Erickson
Read more about America's national parks
National Parks
What to Expect at the National Parks After Their Staff Layoffs
About 3,000 positions in the National Park Service and US Forest Service were eliminated by the Trump administration. Here’s what that could mean for travelers.
By Elissa Garay
News & Advice
Stargazing Along Tuscon's New ‘Astro Trail’ in Southern Arizona
The desert city in southern Arizona is a sanctuary for stargazers—and now it's even easier for visitors to explore.
By Jennifer Broome
Places to Stay
Where to Stay in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
The best Airbnbs, cabins, and hotels in the Great Smoky Mountains gateway town.
By Kat Chen
Places to Stay
The Best Joshua Tree Airbnbs
Whether you're looking for a hilltop cabin or a luxe, modern retreat.
By Emily Pennington
National Parks
Welcome to Park Ranger Instagram—the Most Wholesome Corner of the Internet
There are outfit demos, safety tips, and park facts shared to the music of Chappell Roan. If you aren't following your nearest National Park, now's the time to start.
By Charlie Hobbs
National Parks
On Location: This New Docuseries Explores Humankind's Deep Connections to Yellowstone, Zion, and More
Kul Wičaša Lakota actor Michael Spears narrates National Geographic's new series, National Parks: USA (out September 8).
By Rachel Chang
News & Advice
What Travelers Need to Know About the Jasper National Park Fire
Jasper National Park, which attracts around 2.5 million visitors a year, is currently closed with no estimated date for reopening.
By Karen Gardiner
Women Who Travel
Women Who Travel Podcast: How to Get Out Into the Wilderness This Summer
Emily Pennington joins host Lale Arikoglu armed with tips and tricks that can only be offered by somebody who has visited every national park in the United States.
By CNT Editors
National Parks
Meet the Queer Podcasters Making National Parks More Inclusive
‘Gaze at the National Parks’ takes travelers throughout the US, sharing trail stories and underrepresented parks history along the way.
By Matt Kirouac
National Parks
A New Program Invites National Park Visitors to Donate to Native American Tribes
Think of it as an easy way to leave a “10 or 20 percent tip” for the Indigenous people whose ancestral homelands are within the US National Park system.
By Jessica Puckett
Destinations
The 28 Best Things to Do in Iceland, From Puffin Spotting to Bread Baking
Relaxing in a hot spring river, snorkeling between tectonic plates, and exploring lava tube caves—there’s enough to do in Iceland to fuel a lifetime of vacations.
By Erika Owen
News & Advice
The Country’s Newest National Park Is a Former Japanese Incarceration Site
American citizens of Japanese descent were forcibly relocated to ‘Camp Amache’ between 1942 and 1945—the new designation will allow more travelers to hear their stories.
By Rachel Chang
National Parks
How to Get Free Entry to US National Parks in 2024
All the tips and tricks for getting into national parks and state parks without opening your wallet.
By Rachel Chang
National Parks
The 10 Most-Searched National Parks of 2023, According to Google Maps
Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion take the top three spots—while other beloved destinations are notably absent.
By Rachel Chang
Adventure
A Beginner's Guide to Winter Camping
With the right gear and preparation, winter camping can actually be—dare we say—cozy.
By Emily Pennington
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