National Parks Bucket List: Top Things to Do in Every Park
Nature’s masterpieces, our national parks string like jewels across the United States. Experiencing these parks can provide moments of connection, restore the human spirit, and deepen our bond to the land. Ready to plan your national parks trip? Start here with the top things to do in each park, organized by region, excerpted from Adventures of a Lifetime: Epic Experiences in USA National Parks
Alaska
Denali
- Touring Denali Park Road by Bus
- Watching for Alaska’s Big 5
- Venturing Off the Beaten Path
- Witnessing the Midnight Sun or Northern Lights
Kenai Fjords
- Touring the Fjords on a Wildlife Cruise
- Climbing the Harding Icefield Trail
Lake Clark
- Watching Brown Bears Fishing for Salmon
- Paddling and Rafting Through Remote Waters
Katmai
- Exploring the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
- Seeing Bears at Brooks Camp and Brooks Falls
Wrangell-St. Elias
- Stepping Out onto the Ice of Root Glacier
- Navigating McCarthy Road
- Journeying Back in Time at Kennecott Mine
Glacier Bay
- Watching Glaciers Crash into the Bay
- Spotting Humpback Whales
- Sea-Kayaking Among Floating Icebergs
Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley
- Flightseeing to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes
- Backpacking Above the Arctic Circle
- Witnessing the Great Caribou Migration
From rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon to marveling at the northern lights in Alaska, America’s national parks are filled with awe-inspiring, wondrous experiences for curious travelers. Find yours in Adventures of a Lifetime.
California
Yosemite
- Watching the Sunset from Tunnel View
- Gazing up at Gentle Giants
- Trekking off the Beaten Path
- Cruising Tioga Road
- Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Getting Cozy in Winter
Sequoia and Kings Canyon
- Meeting the World’s Largest Trees
- Learning More About Sequoias at the Giant Forest Museum
- Delving into Crystal Cave
- Taking in the View from Moro Rock
- Driving Among Giants on Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
Death Valley
- Descending to the Lowest Point in North America
- Gazing at Starry Desert Skies
- Driving Titus Canyon Road
- Crossing Under the Natural Bridge
- Taking in the View from Zabriskie Point
Joshua Tree
- Exploring Hidden Valley on Foot
- Biking or Driving Park Boulevard
- Conquering World-Class Rock-Climbing Routes
- Digging into Mining History
- Honoring Indigenous Legacies
Lassen Volcanic
- Walking Through Volcanic History
- Summiting Lassen Peak
- Seeing, Smelling, and Hearing Hydrothermal Activity Up Close
- Floating on a Glassy Mountain Lake
Redwood
- Wildlife-Watching on Gold Bluffs Beach
- Feeling Humbled by Giants in Lady Bird Johnson Grove
- Rolling Along the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
Pinnacles
- Scrambling Through Bear Gulch Cave
- Seeing Condors Soar
- Climbing the Pinnacles
Channel Islands
- Camping Overnight at a Remote Island Campsite
- Sea-Kayaking below Coastal Cliffs
- Getting a Glimpse of Rare Wildlife
Pacific Northwest
Crater Lake
- Driving or Cycling the Rim Drive
- Boating to Wizard Island
- Seeing the Sunset from Watchman Peak
Olympic
- Immersing Yourself in the Hoh Rain Forest
- Walking Through Wildflowers on Hurricane Ridge
- Tidepooling on Ruby Beach
- Soaking in Sol Duc Hot Springs
- Kayaking on Lake Crescent
Mount Ranier
- Hiking the Skyline Trail Loop
- Chasing Waterfalls
- Wintering in Paradise
- Cruising Scenic Drives
- Exploring Longmire Historic District
North Cascades
- Hiking Cascade Pass
- Boating on Diablo Lake
- Overnighting in Stehekin
Southwest
Grand Canyon
- Descending into the Canyon on Foot
- Floating the Colorado River
- Taking in Views from the Rim Trail
- Driving Along the Canyon Rim
- Honoring Indigenous Culture at Desert View
Petrified Forest
- Gazing at the Painted Desert
- Hiking Blue Mesa
- Deciphering Petroglyphs
Saguaro
- Cruising Cactus Forest Loop Drive
- Strolling the Desert Discovery Nature Trail
- Cycling Past Cacti
Great Basin
- Spelunking the Lehman Caves
- Summiting Wheeler Peak
Zion
- Squeezing Through the Narrows
- Climbing to Angels Landing
- Navigating Deep Canyons
- Biking Pa’rus Trail and Zion Canyon
- Taking in the View from Pine Creek Canyon Overlook
Bryce Canyon
- Starting the Day in Bryce Amphitheater
- Walking the Rim Trail
- Coming Face-to-Face with Hoodoos Below the Rim
- Driving the Park Road
- Watching the Night Sky
Capitol Reef
- Soaking up Shifting Light
- Learning Farming History at Gifford Homestead
- Four-Wheeling Through Cathedral Valley
Arches
- Strolling Park Avenue
- Looking Through the Windows
- Admiring Delicate Arch
- Wriggling Through Fiery Furnace
- Walking Through the Devils Garden
Canyonlands
- Driving Grand View Point Road
- Navigating White Rim Road
- Admiring Pictographs in Horseshoe Canyon
Mesa Verde
- Climbing Ladders on a Tour of Cliff Palace
- Driving Through History on Mesa Top Loop Road
- Hiking Petroglyph Point Trail
Great Sand Dunes
- Climbing High Dune
- Sliding Down Dunes
- Splashing in Medano Creek
White Sands
- Touring Dunes Drive
- Dancing in the Moonlight
- Playing in the Sand
Carlsbad Caverns
- Dropping into the Big Room
- Watching Bats Emerge at Night
- Descending Through the Natural Entrance
Guadalupe Mountains
- Gazing at El Capitan
- Climbing the Highest Peak in Texas
- Hiking Roadless Wilderness
Big Bend
- Exploring Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
- Bird-Watching
- Paddling the Rio Grande
Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountain
- Driving the Highest Paved Road in the United States
- Watching the Elk Rut in the Fall
- Summiting Longs Peak
- Rock Climbing
- Camping and Backpacking
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- Driving Along the South Rim
- Descending into the Canyon
- Hiking the North Rim
Yellowstone
- Watching Old Faithful Erupt
- Hiking to Grand Prismatic Spring and Fairy Falls
- Spotting Wildlife in Lamar Valley
- Gazing at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Road-Tripping Grand Loop Road
Grand Teton
- Boating, Fishing, and Gazing at Alpine Lakes
- Hiking to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
- Watching for Wildlife
- Backpacking the Teton Crest Trail
- Rafting the Snake River
Glacier
- Winding Along Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Exploring Many Glacier
- Hiking Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet
- Paddling Lake McDonald
- Camping and Backpacking
Badlands
- Scrambling Up a Ladder on the Notch Trail
- Driving the Badlands Loop
- Spotting Singular Species
Wind Cave
- Listening to the Wind Blow Through the Natural Entrance
- Climbing and Crawling on the Wild Cave Tour
- Exploring Ecological Diversity on the Lookout Point-Centennial Loop
Theodore Roosevelt
- Witnessing Wild Horses
- Winding Along the South Unit Scenic Drive
- Seeing the Colors of Painted Canyon
- Wandering the Petrified Forest Loop
Great Lakes and Northeast
Acadia
- Seeing the Sunrise from Cadillac Mountain
- Biking the Carriage Roads
- Driving Park Loop Road
- Nabbing the Signature Shot of Bass Head Lighthouse
- Escaping to Isle au Haut
Cuyahoga Valley
- Hiking Around the Unique Geography of the Ledges
- Exploring the Cuyahoga River by Land, Water, and Rail
- Soaking in Summer Sounds at Blossom Music Center
Indiana Dunes
- Hiking the Ever-Changing Dunes
- Bird-Watching the Shores and Marshes
- Swimming and Sunbathing
Isle Royale
- Paddling Unspoiled Shores
- Backpacking and Camping at the End of the World
Voyageurs
- Cruising the Lakes by Boat
- Exploring the Park with Paddle Power
- Finding Rest in Remote Places
The South
Great Smoky Mountains
- Seeing the Sunrise from Kuwohi
- Wandering Cades Cove
- Watching the Seasons Change from Andrews Bald
- Cruising Newfound Gap Road
- Hiking to Alum Cave and Mount LeConte
Shenandoah
- Touring Skyline Drive
- Summiting Old Rag Mountain
- Chasing Waterfalls
Mammoth Cave
- Descending into the World’s Largest Cave System
- Paddling the Green River
- Hiking the Green River Bluffs Trail
New River Gorge
- Rafting on the New River
- Hiking Endless Wall
- Scaling Rock Walls
- Admiring the Bridge
Gateway Arch
- Strolling the Park Grounds
- Riding up the Arch
- Visiting the Museum
Hot Springs
- Soaking in Historic Baths
- Taking a Hike
- Going for a Drive
Congaree
- Walking the Boardwalk
- Paddling Cedar Creek Canoe Trail
Everglades
- Looking for Wildlife Along the Anhinga Trail
- Cycling Through Shark Valley
- Paddling This Watery Park
- Seeing the Sun Rise or Set from Pa-hay-okee Overlook
Biscayne
- Snorkeling or Scuba Diving the United States’ Only Living Coral Barrier Reef
- Island Hopping
- Camping on Elliott Key
- Paddling Mangrove Tunnels
Dry Tortugas
- Checking Out Fort Jefferson
- Snorkeling with Sea Turtles
- Bird-Watching
Islands
Haleakalā
- Watching the Sunrise from Haleakalā Crater
- Hiking into the Crater on the Sliding Sands Switchback Loop
- Seeing a Slice of Paradise at the Pools of ‘Ohe‘o
Hawai‘i Volcanoes
- Visiting an Active Volcano
- Touring Chain of Craters Road
- Summitting Mauna Loa
- Gazing Out from Mauna Loa
- Walking Through Nāhuku Lava Tube
Virgin Islands
- Swimming and Snorkeling in Trunk Bay
- Getting Off the Beaten Path in Waterlemon Cay
- Hiking to Petroglyphs on Reef Bay Trail
National Park of American Samoa
- Hiking to Spectacular Views on the Mount ‘Alava Adventure Trail
- Gazing at Stunning Vai’ava Strait
Start planning your national park adventure today!
Travelers come from far and wide to explore America’s national parks. Known for their natural beauty, outdoor adventures, wildlife watching, and cultural attractions, these national parks are the crown jewels of America. Adventures of a Lifetime selects the top experiences from all 63 national parks, and is a must-read whether you’re an armchair traveler marveling at the wonders of the parks, or a visitor planning your bucket-list trip. From rafting the Rio Grande at Big Bend, to looking out at Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone, to driving Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, to wildlife-watching for elk and bighorn sheep at Rocky Mountain National Park, this book sparks inspiration and adventures to last a lifetime.
Gorgeously illustrated with full-color photos throughout, Adventures of a Lifetime is essential for any national parks-lover.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
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