Activities
Auto Touring
Auto touring is a great way to journey through the parks in the comfort of luxury seating and air conditioning! Capture panoramic views and experience scenic roads as you auto tour through hundreds of miles of park territory in mere hours. Most parks offer media to serve as your personal tour guides along the roads, with numbered posts or landmarks and information on park history, wildlife, and plants. If you want to see as much of the park as possible in a short period of time, then auto touring is for you! Park your car here for more information on auto touring.
Acadia National Park • Arches National Park • Big Bend National Park • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park • Bryce Canyon National Park • plus 44 more ...
Backcountry Camping
Delve into the heart of the park and experience its intrinsic wilderness through backcountry camping. Although backcountry camping is an incredible experience, it is also an arduous one. Difficult weather, rugged terrain, and off-trail hiking tailor this activity to experienced and well-conditioned backpackers. Click here to propel yourself into the the backcountry.
Big Bend National Park • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park • Carlsbad Caverns National Park • Death Valley National Park • Grand Teton National Park • plus 24 more ...
Backpacking
Grab a backpack and escape from modern-day life into America's most pristine wild places. Whether you're on a day hike through Yosemite's expansive wilderness or an overnight trek through the depths of Olympic National Park, backpacking is a great way to stay prepared and enjoy the parks to their fullest potential.
Arches National Park • Big Bend National Park • Canyonlands National Park • Capitol Reef National Park • Denali National Park and Preserve • plus 30 more ...
Bicycling
Interested in exploring the parks as part of a group, but also have time to yourself? Want to cover a lot of ground, see the sights, and put as little strain on the environment as possible? Experience unity and solitude as you bike the carriage roads at Acadia, beach paths in the Everglades, or up and down the hills in the Rocky Mountains. Click here for resources to get you on the road to biking in National Parks.
Acadia National Park • Arches National Park • Badlands National Park • Canyonlands National Park • Capitol Reef National Park • plus 52 more ...
Birdwatching
National Parks provide dedicated, undeveloped space ideal for an array of bird species to thrive. Whether using binoculars or gazing with the naked eye, the parks' uninterrupted habitat makes them exceptional birdwatching enclaves full of endemic, endangered, and rare species. Did you know that conservation organizations have dedicated over 40 National Park Service sites as "Globally Important Bird Areas?" Click here to learn more about the endless birdwatching possibilities in our National Parks.
Big Bend National Park • Channel Islands National Park • Cuyahoga Valley National Park • Dry Tortugas National Park • Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve • plus 64 more ...
Boating
Whether you're canoeing in the Everglades, rafting in Glacier National Park, or kayaking in Acadia, experiencing the parks atop some form of boat or vessel may be the best way to appreciate the beauty of the national parks. Some of the best views come from the open water, so grab your gear and explore the parks from a different angle. Click here to get off of the land and into the water.
Acadia National Park • Biscayne National Park • Canyonlands National Park • Channel Islands National Park • Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve • plus 45 more ...
Camping
Camping gives visitors the chance to experience the parks as mother nature intended. Today, National Parks offer designated areas to camp as diverse as the visitors who come to find them. Some are in the "backcountry" requiring a hike-in, while others come complete with running water facilities and/or utility hook-ups! Click here to discover all the parks that provide this classic recreational activity. PS: Did you know that 50% of all illnesses are attributed to breating "indoor air?" Get out there and try CAMPING!
Acadia National Park • Arches National Park • Badlands National Park • Big Bend National Park • Biscayne National Park • plus 81 more ...
Canoeing
Propel yourself down the Rio Grande River, across the swamps of Congaree, or through the mangroves at Everglades using only paddles and your muscle power. Canoeing is a unique way to explore the hard-to-reach areas of watery parks solo or with the whole family. Canoeing in national parks will literally float your boat, so click here for more information on how to plan your next trip!
Big Bend National Park • Biscayne National Park • Congaree National Park • Cuyahoga Valley National Park • Everglades National Park • plus 25 more ...
Caving
If you're interested in science, exploration, andadventure, then you might want to give caving a go. People have been exploring caves for thousands of years, but only in the last century has this activity turned into a sophisticated pasttime. With 113 caves to explore at Carlsbad Caverns alone, the possibilities are endless! Cast your rope here to learn more about caving.
Great Basin National Park • Mammoth Cave National Park • Wind Cave National Park • El Malpais National Monument • Jewel Cave National Monument • plus 6 more ...
Cross-country Skiing
On cross-country skis, even three feet of snow can't stop visitors from enjoying the national parks! Pick your favorite trail and let your poles be your guide. Naturalists and hunters alike have been using cross-country skis as a way of moving from one terrain to the next long before national parks were ... national parks! Whether on an overnight expedition or a leisurely wander through a forest trail, this sport is great exercise and a beautiful way to see the hidden beauties of the park.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park • Bryce Canyon National Park • Cuyahoga Valley National Park • Denali National Park and Preserve • Glacier National Park (part of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park) • plus 27 more ...
Day Hiking
Before SUVs, snowmobiles, OHVs, and other motorized vehicles, the only way to see the intricacies of the park was by foot. Today, these fundamental activities are still the primary means of and perhaps the most natural and relaxed way to explore the parks. Day hiking is a safe and enjoyable way to experience parts of the park and sometimes preferable to an overnight trip into a difficult area that is beyond the capabilities of you or someone in your group. Please remember to keep the philosophy of Leave No Trace in mind: leave the trail as it was before you got there. Trails range from wheel-chair accessible to advanced, so be sure to ask questions ahead of time. Pick a comfy pair of hiking boots and click here for more information about day hiking in the parks.
Hot Springs National Park • Isle Royale National Park • Joshua Tree National Park • Katmai National Park and Preserve • Kobuk Valley National Park • plus 52 more ...
Dog Mushing
Capture the spirit of a winter park perched atop a sled, led by an energetic team of huskies. Dog mushing is a unique and exciting way for dog-lovers to explore large tracts of Ameirica's snow-covered parks without an engine. Dog mushing ranges in use from utilitarian to recreational to competitive and is practiced not only in national parks but all over the world. Yell "Hike!" and click here to plan your own dog sledding adventure.
Acadia National Park • Denali National Park and Preserve • Kobuk Valley National Park •
Fishing
Fishing in the inland and coastal waters of the national parks is a wonderful way to enjoy the parks year-round. Whether you're deap sea, reel casting, or fly fishing, please remember to pay attention to local rules and regulations, practice catch-and-release where appropriate, and get a license where required. Cast your lure here to find out more information about fishing in the parks and the gear you'll need for all your adventures.
Acadia National Park • Biscayne National Park • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park • Channel Islands National Park • Congaree National Park • plus 69 more ...
Fly Fishing
Creeks brimming with trout, rivers teeming with perch, and resvoirs awash with salmon lure in fly fishers with snares in tow. This ancient sport has been engaging anglers for over 2,000 years, peaking in America in the early 1920s in the states of Maine, Vermont, and Wisconson. The appropriate fly fishing gear can make or break your fishing trip, so be sure to arrive prepared with a lightweight rod, a line, and the appropriate fly for the spot you're fishing. Bag and possession limits vary by species and by area, so be sure to check current park regulations. Cast your line here to find out more information about bag and possession limits in the parks and the gear you'll need for all your adventures.
North Cascades National Park • Olympic National Park • Rocky Mountain National Park • Shenandoah National Park •
Four-wheel Driving
Get ready, get set, GO! Fire up your engine and embark on a four-wheeling adventure through the extensive track networks and spectacular scenery of our national parks. From White Rim Road in Canyonlands to Boomerang Lake Trail in Wrangell-St. Elias to the backcountry roads in Death Valley, opportunities for exploration cater tp all levels of skill and expertise. SUVs, dirt bikes, and ATVs are a fun way to delve into the backcountry, but remember to follow local rules and regulations, get permits where needed, and stay on designated four-wheeling trails. Park your quad here for more information on four-wheeling.
Canyonlands National Park • Death Valley National Park • Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve •
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
