The Best Nighttime Adventures in the National Parks
Hiking, biking, paddling. Most activities that we associate with the national parks happen during daytime hours. But some of the more unusual and awe-inspiring events happen when the sun goes down. Here are our recommendations, excerpted from Adventures of a Lifetime: Extraordinary Experiences in USA National Parks.
Death Valley National Park, California
Gazing at Starry Desert Skies
As a DarkSky International park, Death Valley sees some of the clearest night skies in the United States. Attend ranger-led star-viewing programs or the annual Dark Sky Festival in February, or gaze on your own from spots like Harmony Borax Works, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, or Badwater Basin.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Dancing in the Moonlight
The dunes are even more magical after dark, when the gypsum crystals that make up 98 percent of the White Sands look even more like snow under the moonlight. On full moon nights, you can join ranger-led night hikes, accompanied by live music, talks, and art demonstrations at the natural dune amphitheater at the end of Dunes Drive.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Watching Bats Emerge at Night
From mid-April to October, hundreds of thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats stream from the caverns at dusk. At the Natural Entrance amphitheater, rangers share insights before the breathtaking flight, so spectacular that teenager Jim White, the first white settler to discover the cave entrance in 1898, called them a “volcano of bats.” It’s possible to see them return in the morning, too.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Overnighting on the Canyon Floor
It’s one thing to see the Grand Canyon from above, but hiking down into it offers a whole new level of experience, literally. Although over a dozen trails in the park descend beneath the rim, two of the most popular are Bright Angel and South Kaibab. For a truly iconic adventure, reserve a night at Phantom Ranch, the only non-camping lodging on the canyon floor.
Channel Islands National Park, California
Camping Overnight at a Remote Island Campsite
With most day trips limited to 3-4 hours on the islands, camping allows for time to stretch out, explore, and unwind. Santa Cruz and Anacapa allow camping yearround, the former with the most sites and amenities, while Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara offer seasonal stays. Though primitive and rugged, pitching a tent here provides unparalleled access to remote trails, snorkeling and kayaking, and star-filled nights.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Watching the Night Sky
From Bryce Canyon’s high elevation, the stars blaze with rare brilliance, casting a cosmic glow over the hoodoos below. You can lose yourself in the constellations through telescope viewings or moonlit ranger hikes in this DarkSky International park. Each summer, the Astronomy Festival celebrates this celestial wonder with enchanting night and day programs.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
Synchronous Fireflies
For about a week in early summer, these fireflies blink in perfect unison—part of their annual mating ritual. They’re best seen in the Elkmont area.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Witnessing the Midnight Sun
Seeing the pastel streaks and neon curtains of the aurora borealis is on many travelers’ bucket lists, best seen in the winter months of September through April. But the summer’s midnight sun is equally unforgettable, casting a glow over the landscape during long, bright nights.
Find more national park adventures
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.
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