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  • Writer's pictureMick McMurray

National Parks of the US Links

Updated: Jul 11

The national park system in the United States was established on August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act into law. However, the idea of preserving natural areas for the public's enjoyment and benefit dates back much further.

In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill that granted Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias to the state of California as a protected parkland. This was the first time the federal government had set aside land for public use, recreation, and preservation.

Over the next few decades, other parks and monuments were created, including Yellowstone National Park in 1872, the first national park in the world. The park system continued to grow, and in 1916, the National Park Service was created to manage and protect the parks.

Today, the national park system includes over 400 parks, monuments, historic sites, and other protected areas covering more than 84 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories. The system is managed by the National Park Service, which is part of the Department of the Interior.


rolling hills, bushy landscape, cloudy blue sky
Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Scratch off National Parks Scratch off National Parks Map














The following is a list of the National Parks of the US that we have been to and links to take you to our adventures in the park.






Arches NP: not posted yet

Arches National Park, located in eastern Utah, is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, as well as many other stunning rock formations and hiking trails.



Badlands National Park

Three Days in Badlands NP

Badlands National Park in South Dakota is characterized by its rugged terrain, eroded rock formations, vibrant colors, and diverse wildlife, making it a popular destination for hiking and sightseeing.

Badlands National Park sunrise at the door trail with orange sunrise
Badlands National Park sunrise


Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park Santa Elena Canyon

Big Bend National Park, situated in southwest Texas, boasts a stunningly diverse landscape of rugged mountains, canyons, desert, and river ecosystems, offering abundant opportunities for hiking, camping, stargazing, and wildlife watching.

Rio grande river with red Cliffs in the background with a cloudy blue sky
Big Bend National Park


Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in western Colorado is renowned for its steep, narrow canyon walls that plunge over 2,000 feet down to the Gunnison River, offering breathtaking views, challenging hikes, and world-class rock climbing.

Sheer, Gray, Canyon cliffs with the Gunnison River at the bottom
Black Canyon National Park



Bryce Canyon National Park

1 Day at Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, is known for its iconic towering hoodoos and otherworldly rock formations, as well as its dark night skies perfect for stargazing.

Spires in Bryce cathedral at sunrise with a cloudy blue sky
Bryce Canyon National Park


Canyonlands NP: not posted yet

Canyonlands National Park is a stunning desert wilderness area in southeastern Utah, characterized by colorful canyons, towering mesas, and spectacular rock formations.



Capitol Reef National Park

3 Amazing Days in Capitol Reef National Park

Exploring Capitol Reef National Park offers an incredible opportunity to hike among towering sandstone formations, explore hidden slot canyons, and witness the stunning beauty of Utah's red rock desert landscape.

Red sculpted hills with mountains in the background and a cloudy blue sky
Capitol Reef National Park


Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a breathtaking experience that allows you to descend into the depths of the earth to explore a vast underground labyrinth of stunningly beautiful caverns, stalactites, and stalagmites.

Stalactites and stalagmites in the cavern
Carlsbad Caverns National Park


Channel Islands National Park

Exploring the Underwater World of the Northern Channel Islands

The underwater world of the Channel Islands National Park is a mesmerizing wonderland of kelp forests, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine life, including whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions.

kelp with schooling, fish, and clear blue water
Channel Islands National Park


Crater Lake National Park

3 Days of Exploring Crater Lake National Park

Exploring Crater Lake National Park provides a unique opportunity to witness the beauty of the deepest lake in the United States, nestled within a stunning volcanic caldera and surrounded by old-growth forests and towering peaks.

Beautiful Blue lake surrounded by the crater walls with cloudy blue sky
Crater Lake National Park


Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park

One Day in Death Valley National Park

Exploring Death Valley National Park allows you to experience one of the hottest and driest places on earth, with stunning sand dunes, colorful canyons, salt flats, and otherworldly rock formations.

Detailed floor of the Badwater basin with a blue sky
Death Valley National Park



Everglades NP: not posted yet



Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park 3 Day Travel Guide

Visiting Glacier National Park offers a unique opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Montana's rugged wilderness, with towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and sweeping vistas of glaciers, forests, and alpine meadows.

Lost lake with a forest in the foreground and clouds around the mountains
Glacier National Park


Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim

The Grand Canyon's Hidden Gem: The North Rim

2 Days at Toroweap Overlook, Grand Canyon National Park

Point Imperial Overlook, Grand Canyon National Park

Explore Desert View Watchtower

Visiting the Grand Canyon National Park is an unforgettable experience that allows you to witness the stunning natural wonder of one of the world's most iconic geological formations, with its awe-inspiring size, colorful rock formations, and breathtaking vistas.

The canyon at sunset, with a cloudy sky, from mather point
Grand Canyon National Park


Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park and a Mob of Moose

A Guide to Schwabacher Landing: Grand Teton National Park

Visiting Grand Teton National Park is a breathtaking adventure that takes you through a pristine wilderness of majestic mountain peaks, glacial lakes, and abundant wildlife, offering endless opportunities for hiking, camping, and outdoor recreation.

On the snake river with the Tetons in the background and a blue sky
Grand Teton National Park


Great Basin National Park

2 Days in Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park offers stunning views of the night sky, ancient bristlecone pines, great hiking trails, and the unique ecosystem of the Great Basin desert.

Stellar lake, surrounded by for forested mountains with a blue sky
Great Basin National Park


Great Sand Dunes National Park

3 Days at Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park is a fascinating destination that boasts the tallest sand dunes in North America, along with alpine lakes, diverse wildlife, and stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains.

Sand dunes with shadows, and a cloudy moody sky
Great Sand Dunes National Park


Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise that features the highest peak in Texas, rugged canyons, picturesque desert landscapes, and a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

El Capitán peak with yucca  in the foreground and it cloudy blue sky
Guadalupe Mountains National Park


Haleakala NP: not posted yet


Hawaii Volcanoes NP: not posted yet



Joshua Tree National Park

White Tank Campground Joshua Tree National Park

Jumbo Rocks Campground Joshua Tree National Park

Neon Nights at Joshua Tree National Park

Visiting Joshua Tree National Park is an otherworldly experience that allows you to explore a unique desert landscape of rugged rock formations, twisted Joshua trees, and breathtaking sunsets, making it a paradise for rock climbers, hikers, and stargazers.

Art rock at night with the Milky Way
Joshua Tree National Park


Kings Canyon National Park

Stunning Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon National Park is a stunningly beautiful destination that offers visitors the chance to explore deep canyons, towering peaks, rushing rivers, and some of the largest trees on Earth in Grant Grove.

Jagged mountain peak with pine trees in the foreground and a blue sky
Kings Canyon National Park


Lassen Volcanic NP: not posted yet



Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park is a captivating historical site that preserves some of the best-preserved and most notable ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings, which provide a unique glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived there over 700 years ago.

Cliff dwelling with trees in the foreground
Mesa Verde National Park



Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is a breathtakingly beautiful destination that features the iconic snow-capped Mount Rainier, meadows bursting with wildflowers, alpine lakes, and a variety of wildlife, making it an outdoor enthusiast's dream.

Snow covered Mount Rainier with mist in the valley and trees in the foreground
Mount Rainier National Park


North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park

We recently visited North Cascades National Park and it was absolutely breathtaking. The natural beauty was truly awe-inspiring and we felt a deep sense of peace and connection with nature. We highly recommend visiting this national park if you have the opportunity to do so.

Turquoise colored Diablo lake with mountains surrounding it
North Cascades National Park


Olympic National Park

Getting Wet in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a diverse and enchanting destination that encompasses a rugged coastline, ancient rainforests, glacier-capped mountains, and alpine meadows, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty of nature in all its forms.

Mountain Stream, surrounded by lush foliage
Olympic National Park


Petrified Forest NP: not posted yet


Pinnacles NP: not posted yet


Redwoods National Park

Redwoods National and State Park

Visiting Redwoods National Park is a humbling experience that allows you to witness some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world, as well as explore stunning coastal landscapes and a diverse range of wildlife.

Redwood trees with ferns in the foreground
Redwoods National Park


Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is a breathtakingly beautiful destination that offers visitors the chance to experience towering peaks, sparkling lakes, alpine tundra, and an abundance of wildlife, making it a nature lover's paradise

Two female elk standing in a lake
Rocky Mountain National Park


Saguaro National Park

2 Days in Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is a mesmerizing destination that showcases the beauty and resilience of the Sonoran Desert, home to towering cacti, rugged mountains, vibrant sunsets, and a unique ecosystem that has adapted to the harsh desert climate.

saguaro cactus at sunrise with a cloudy blue sky
Saguaro National Park


Sequoia National Park

The Giants in Sequoia National Park

Have you ever visited Sequoia National Park to witness the majestic Giants?

Base of a giant redwood tree in a forest
Sequoia National Park


Theodore Roosevelt National Park

4 Days in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a ruggedly beautiful destination that features colorful badlands, roaming bison and wild horses, and an array of outdoor activities that capture the adventurous spirit of the park's namesake president.

Beautiful rolling Hills with a cloudy blue sky
Theodore Roosevelt National Park



Voyageurs National Park

Paddling Around Voyageurs National Park

Kayaking in Voyageurs National Park is a truly magical experience, allowing you to paddle through a stunning maze of interconnected waterways, explore remote islands, and catch a glimpse of the park's diverse wildlife, all while surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

Kayaker on a calm lake, with an island in the background and a blue sky
Voyageurs National Park


White Sands National Park

2 Days in White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is a uniquely beautiful destination that features miles of shimmering white gypsum sand dunes that look like a winter wonderland in the middle of the desert.

Beautiful white sand at sunrise with a pink sky
White Sands National Park


Wind Cave National Park

A Tour of Wind Cave National Park

Touring Wind Cave National Park is an unforgettable experience that takes you through the intricate underground maze of one of the world's longest and most complex cave systems and offers the chance to see unique formations and encounter wildlife on the surface.

Detail of cave wall with box work
Wind Cave National Park


Yellowstone National Park

2 Amazing Weeks in Yellowstone National Park

8 Fun Filled Days in Yellowstone National Park

Spending three weeks in Yellowstone National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the park's stunning natural beauty, witness its incredible geothermal features, encounter its diverse wildlife, and explore its many hiking trails and backcountry areas.

Steam rising from midway geyser basin at sunrise
Yellowstone National Park



Yosemite National Park

7 Best Hikes in Yosemite National Park

Your 1-Day Itinerart to Yosemite National Park

Adventures in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is a world-renowned destination that features towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, ancient sequoia trees, and a diverse range of wildlife, making it a must-visit for anyone who loves the great outdoors.

Two people sitting on the wall at tunnel view
Yosemite National Park




Zion National Park

10 Must-see Attractions in Zion National Park

The Subway/What We Did and the Gear We Needed

Hiking the Kolob Canyons in Zion National Park


Virgin River, with the watchman formation at sunset with a cloudy sky
Zion National Park



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