National parks offer unique experiences. Swim in natural pools surrounded by boulders and cascading waterfalls at Little River Canyon National Preserve in Alabama or tackle Class 4 rapids along Colorado and Utah’s Green River to discover one-of-a-kind adventures.
Discover coastal marvels at Channel Islands National Park in California or trek across vast, unforgiving landscapes at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota with these must-do adventure activities that will get you outside and experiencing national parks!
1. Hiking
Donning hiking boots marks the start of an adventure! National parks provide ideal settings to experience classic outdoor recreational activities like hiking, camping, climbing, horseback riding, rafting fishing and stargazing – plus much more.
Backpackers can traverse Yosemite’s John Muir Trail or make their way up Mount Everest at Everest Base Camp. Mountain climbers can explore a range of trails in national parks – from family-friendly hikes to challenging summit bids such as ice climbing. Rafting enthusiasts can test their mettle against manmade or natural river rapids; wildlife enthusiasts will delight in viewing bison, bighorn sheep and elk in Yellowstone.
National parks offer breathtaking scenery for a truly remarkable hike experience. Take Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive for instance – its 105 blissful miles along wooded Blue Ridge Mountains reach their most breathtaking beauty each fall; or trek Zion’s Narrows where a flowing stream spans canyon walls in an amazing slot canyon. Some trails may require permits before going; make sure to look out for any petroglyphs (symbols scratched into rocks) along your journey!
2. Horseback Riding
Riding horses is one of the most therapeutic and relaxing activities available to national park visitors of any age or skill level, providing hours of calming relaxation as you trust your equine partner with all of life’s problems: emails, grocery lists and sports schedules just simply melt away as you glide across Alpine meadows watching wildlife from your saddle.
No matter if it be for an hour or week-long ride, ROAM can find the ideal horseback trail ride in any national park. Our knowledgeable travel specialists will schedule their trip during an optimal riding season to guarantee an unforgettable experience!
Yellowstone National Park offers stunning vistas, geyser eruptions and herds of bison and elk for horseback riders to enjoy. Meanwhile in Montana’s Glacier National Park is known as “the Crown of the Continent”, thanks to its lush forests, alpine meadows and gorgeous lakes – perfect places for guided rides on outfitter horses as well as overnight stays in front country backcountry camping sites from spring through fall – while offering miles of trails as well as backcountry stock camps if people prefer bring their own horse or bring their own stock camp locations for stock camp locations or stock camp locations from which to ride!
3. Rafting
White water rafting trips offer a thrilling adventure, combining excitement, team spirit, and respect for nature into one action-packed sport. Rivers with high levels of technical difficulty provide unforgettable experiences which will exhilarate adventurers while testing their courage.
Rafting is an increasingly popular competitive sport where participants use an inflatable raft to navigate downriver on river rapids, often within national parks. Some trips may be short and suitable for all ages while longer, more challenging trips may only suit experienced rafters.
The Colorado River offers thrilling white-water rafting adventures. Ranging from class I to V rapids, there is something suitable for every level of experience on this river. Paddle rafts allow participants to actively experience rapids while those seeking scenic oar rafts offer more tranquil waters for relaxation.
Rafting in Theodore Roosevelt National Park provides an exciting opportunity to witness the towering canyon walls and grassy prairies that inspired our former president, as well as wildlife such as wild horses, bison and deer sightings.
4. Camping
Sleeping beneath the stars amidst national park beauty is a dream come true for outdoor enthusiasts, and some national parks like Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island make camping the only way to truly experience them. Hike trails from your campground like Signal Mountain Trail that stretches six miles and summits lake shorelines or backpacking into remote backcountry campsites of Olympic National Park to access ecosystems spanning mountains and rainforests of the Pacific Northwest or half Dome’s granite cliffs (backcountry permits required).
Adventure seekers may enjoy human-powered water adventures like whitewater rafting and kayaking, or visiting a lake and swimming or fishing for fun. Or head out under a starry sky or listening out for coyotes at night as cell connectivity and wifi may be limited in a national park, which provides the chance to truly unplug and appreciate nature at its best!
5. Boating
National parks boast some of the world’s purest waterways, beckoning visitors of all abilities to experience them through human-powered kayaks and sailboats as well as motorized vessels. No matter your skill level or preference, national parks provide an ideal way to learn how to navigate by boat while experiencing beautiful landscapes first-hand.
National parks are home to an array of wildlife and unique ecosystems that can only be explored by boat. Discover Florida’s Everglades by sailing into mangrove tunnels; or cruise along Alabama’s Gulf Islands National Park through protected coastal lowlands for an experience to remember!
National parks often allow visitors to bring in their own boats for portaging purposes; however, in some parks it may be required that you use one provided by the National Park Service (NPS) in order to prevent aquatic invasive species spreading and preserve park ecosystems. It is also vitally important that boating laws be observed as violations may result in fines or an immediate end of your trip by NPS law enforcement officers.
