Updated April 2024
Did you know that there are over 2,000 U.S. national parks and recreation sites? And you can visit them all with a national park pass, one of the best values in travel. To help you, here is our guide to the basics of U.S. National Parks.
Because this guide is an overview, look for our upcoming deep dives into specific parks such as Yellowstone National Park in 2023 and the Grand Canyon. We’ll be covering a number of our favorites.
First, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the eight U.S. presidents who developed, shaped and expanded our incredible U.S. national parks system. In fact, Yellowstone is the first national park in the world.
U.S. National Parks: There’s One Near You
Regardless of where you travel in the United States, there is almost certainly a national park, monument, or federal recreational land close by. To help you find them all the National Park Service has a great search by state function on its main page.
U.S. National Parks: Park Passes
We consider a park pass a travel essential. One pass can gain you entry to over 2,000 destinations. Most of these can be purchased online before a visit, or just pick one up at your first park visit.
The basic annual pass is $80.00. We think it is a remarkable value given all that it covers.
A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children aged 15 or under are admitted free.
But there is even more value with a number of special discounts, including:
- There is a free pass for fourth-grade students.
- Any travelers over age 62 can obtain a lifetime senior pass for only $80.00.
- The Access Pass is free for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
For a full list of the different national park passes click here.
Finally, a few parks now require reservations as well, depending on the time of year you visit. Be sure to check ahead of time as you may now need a reservation for popular parks such as Glacier, Arcadia, Rocky Mountain, and Arches. Previously, Yosemite required a pass but does not at this time.
U.S. National Parks: Special Tips
Of course, we have some special tips for you.
- Be sure to download the National Park app to your phone. It is incredibly informative and useful. If you have kids, check out the Junior Ranger program.
- Bring hats, snacks, and most importantly WATER.
- Get a map at the park entrance. Depending on the park, you might not be able to rely on cell phone coverage.
Smokey Bear Fun Fact
By the way, the Park Service insists that his name is Smokey Bear. We are all wrong when we add “the” to his name.
Guide to U.S. National Parks: Lodging
Probably like most people, you think about camping and hiking when you think of U.S. national parks. That is not wrong, as opportunities for both are everywhere in the parks. But don’t forget the magnificent national park lodges.
For campers, the National Park Service has this very helpful search engine.
And of course, you can make a visit much more memorable by staying at one of the grand old national park lodges. But if you want to do this at the most popular parks, plan ahead as the reservations fill quickly. Park lodging is managed by various concessions with differing systems.
Hawaii?
Remember, one of the best U.S. national parks is on the Big Island of Hawaii. Why? Volcanoes! Learn more here.
History?
Read about historic Fort Pulaski National Monument, an important Civil War and Underground Railroad site.
Alaska?
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, without the cruise ship
Yellowstone?
A personal take on Yellowstone National Park
So Which U.S. National Parks Are Mainly Underwater?
The ironically named Dry Tortugas National Park is our wettest park, as it is 99% underwater. Biscayne National Park is 95% underwater. For obvious reasons, both are popular dive locations.
Flying to Your Visit to U.S. National Parks? Check out our 6 Tips for Getting the Best Airfare
