The Best US National Park Bucket List Ever Red Around the World

Table of Contents

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Everyone knows the national parks were America’s best idea, but it can be overwhelming planning a trip to them and deciding which to see and what to do at each. Well, look no further. This is the best national park bucket list ever.

Not only does it include the best things to do in the national parks, but it’s broken down by park for even easier browsing.

While Yellowstone and Great Smoky Mountains are in more than one state, technically, I just included them in the one that they are the majority in.

This national park bucket list is made up of personal experiences (things I’ve already done), popular trails and sights, things I would like to see and do, and trails that just sound interesting.

If you have something you think I should add, let me know! I want this to be the best list possible and love hearing your recommendations.

ocotillo and saguaro at saguaro national park

Two things you should do in every park that aren’t included on these lists are stop at the visitor centers and do the scenic drives.

Of course, you usually have to do the drive to get to the trails and other sights, but do the whole drive if you can, not just up to where you need to go.

On any drives listed on here that aren’t the implied main road, check road conditions before going and see what type of car is needed for the drive. You can find that on the park websites or by asking at the visitor centers.

cholla cactus garden at joshua tree national park

If the weather is bad or has recently been bad and you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking, check trail conditions in the visitor centers before leaving, too. And do not go into any slot canyons if it’s raining where you are or near you.

If you’re not sure if you should go into a slot canyon, ask a ranger and use common sense. If your gut says no, don’t go. You don’t want to get caught in a flash flood.

National Park Goodies

If you’re planning to visit three or more national parks within a year from your trip, definitely get the America the Beautiful pass. It will save you money in the long run if you’re going to more than three parks in a year. Buy the pass here.
If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking on your trip, or even at home, check out AllTrails! This is my favorite app to find, keep track of, and track my hiking activity. And it’s FREE! Sign up here.
This Ultimate National Park Planning Bundle is a must-have. You get two ebooks and a planner, saving 50% by getting them as a bundle! If you want all the details, this is the bundle for you. Buy the Ultimate bundle here.
Doing a road trip? Want an adventure? Consider an Escape Campervan Rental! It’s a great way to see the parks and is perfect for couples and small (but close) friend groups. Book a campervan here!
This National Park Planner (one of the ebooks from the bundle above) is perfect if you just want some guidance in your planning. Buy the planner here.
Get yourself a National Park journal for all of the NPS sites (400+!) to keep track of your travels!
Consider reading some of these books set in national parks before your big trip, on your adventure, or once you get home to take you back to the parks until next time.

Fiery furnace hike arches national park utah

Bucket list posts

Alaska (8) national park bucket list

Planning an Alaska national park trip is very intimidating. The parks are huge, they’re remote and hard to get to, and they are expensive. But they’ll be worth every penny to experience.

If you are planning a trip to Alaska to work on your national park bucket list, these itineraries will be a major help in planning with logistics and activities.

Denali

Get a permit to do the Denali scenic drive
See the Big 5 (moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, grizzly bears)
See the Denali peak
Visit the Sled Dogs
Join an ATV tour
Hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail
Climb Mount Healey
Hike the Savage River Loop
Do a scenic flight
Bike the Denali Park Road
Explore the Savage River area
See the Northern Lights

Gates of the Arctic

Go backpacking (for experienced backpackers)
Do some birding
Do some paddling
See a muskox
See caribou
See bears
Do a flightseeing tour

Glacier Bay

See whales
Go kayaking
Do a flightseeing tour
Walk the Forest Trail in Bartlett Cove
Hike to Bartlett Lake
Do a boat tour
Hike the Bartlett River Trail
Explore the Bartlett Cove shore

Katmai

Do a flightseeing tour
Go bear watching
See bears catching salmon at Brooks Camp
See the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
Try fishing
Go kayaking or canoeing
Go backpacking (not for beginners)

Kenai Fjords

Hike the Harding Icefield trail
Hike the Glacier View Loop trail
Hike to the Glacier Overlook to see Exit Glacier
Do a boat tour
See whales
See exit Glacier in winter on snowmobile or cross country ski
Go kayaking with a guide
Look for wildlife
Do a flightseeing tour

Kobuk Valley

Do a flightseeing tour
See the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes
See bears
See caribou
See moose
Go backcountry camping
Go backpacking (not the best for beginners)
Do a float trip

Lake Clark

Go backpacking (not great for beginners)
Do some bear watching
Hike to Tanalian Falls and Kontrashibuna Lake
Hike the Beaver Pond trail
Hike up Tanalin Mountain
Ride a fat tire bike on the lake in the winter
Go kayaking/canoeing

Wrangell – St. Elias

Do some sea kayaking
Do a flightseeing tour
Hike the Boreal Forest Trail
Hike the Copper River Bluff Trail
Hike the Bonanza Mine Trail
Hike the Jumbo Mine Trail
Hike the Root Glacier/Eerie Mine Trail
Hike to the toe of Kennecott Glacier and Kennecott Mill Trail
Hike along McCarthy Creek
Hike the Skookum Volcano Trail
Hike the Caribou Creek Trail
See Dall Sheep
See bears
See moose
See caribou
Do a flightseeing tour

American Samoa national park bucket list

A national park a lot of people don’t even know about is American Samoa. This park is in the South Pacific and is made up of three main islands. The main draws here are hiking and snorkeling in the beautiful blue waters.

American Samoa

Go snorkeling (diving can be done, but there aren’t any tour operators so you need to bring all your own gear)
Hike the Pola Island Trail
Hike the Lower Sauma Ridge Trail
Hike the Fagatele Bay Trail
Hike the Le’ala Shoreline Trail
Hike the Tuafanua Trail
Hike the Mount ‘Alava Trail
Hike the Oge Beach Trail

variety of cactus on desert discovery trail saguaro national park

Arizona (3) national park bucket list

There are three Arizona national parks to add to your bucket list and they’re all amazing. Everyone knows the Grand Canyon, but I actually think I love both Saguaro and Petrified Forest more. Whichever you go to, these are all three very unique parks that definitely should not be skipped.

Grand Canyon

Do a mule ride into the canyon
Hike rim-to-rim
Spend a night (or two) at Phantom Ranch
Do a helicopter tour
See the Skywalk on the West Rim
Hike the Rim Trail
Hike the Bright Angel Trail
Hike to Plateau Point
Hike South Kaibab Trail
Hike the Hermit Trail
Hike to Shoshone Point
Enjoy the view from Hopi Point
Hike the Grandview Trail
Hike the North Kaibab Trail
Hike part of the Arizona Trail
~~Visit the Desert View Watchtower~~
Do a river rafting trip
Bike along the South Rim
Watch the sunrise at Mather Point
Admire the view from Mohave Point
Hike to Horseshoe Mesa
Take the train in from Williams

Petrified Forest

Hike the Painted Desert Rim Trail
~~See the Puerco Pueblo~~
Hike the Blue Mesa Trail
See the Crystal Forest
~~See the Giant Logs trail~~
~~Hike the Long Logs trail~~
Hike the Agate House Trail
Do some off-trail hiking (it’s allowed here)
Do some backpacking
Go horseback riding

Saguaro

Hike the Loma Verde Loop
~~Admire the towering Saguaro Cactus~~
Hike to Garwood Dam and Wildhorse Tank
Hike the Wild Dog Trail
Hike to Valley View Overlook
Hike the King Canyon/Gould Mine Loop
Hike the Hugh Norris Trail
Hike the Desert Discovery Trail
Hike the Sendero Esperanza Trail to the Ridge or Wasson Peak
See the Signal Hill petroglyphs
Watch the sunset at Tanque Ridge Trail

Arkansas national park bucket list

Arkansas has just one national park and it’s not the biggest by any means but that doesn’t mean you should skip it! Hot Springs is another unique park that is part hiking, part historic bath houses. While a whole day or two is always best, you can still enjoy the highlights of Hot Springs with just a few hours.

Hot Springs

Relax in a hot spring bath
Take a traditional bath
~~Have a drink at the Superior Bathhouse Brewery~~
Drink the fresh spring water
~~Hike the Goat Rock Trail~~
~~Admire the fall colors~~
Go up the lookout tower
Hike the Gulpha Gorge Trail
Hike the Oertel Trail

zabriske point Death valley national park

California (8) national park bucket list

California, like Alaska, is home to a whopping eight national parks, bucket list toppers for sure. They’re home to some of the most iconic American landscapes including Sequoias and Redwoods, all of Yosemite, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree.

You could definitely visit all eight parks on one trip but I would do it as one big California trip, not like, a two week southwest trip or something like that. You could add the southern parks like Channel Islands, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree to a southwest trip easily though.

Death Valley

See the Racetrack
~~See the Devil’s golf course~~
~~See Zabriskie Point~~
Do a Star Wars auto tour
Go stargazing
Go mountain biking
~~Visit Badwater Basin~~
~~Do the Artists Drive~~
Hike Golden Canyon
See the Charcoal Kilns
See Rainbow Canyon
Visit the Ubehebe Crater
~~Climb the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes~~
Admire Dantes View
Hike the Badlands Loop
Hike the Natural Bridge Trail
Hike Mosaic Canyon
Hike Titus Canyon
Hike Sidewinder Canyon
Hike to Darwin Falls (but no swimming!)
Hike Desolation Canyon

Joshua Tree

Go stargazing
Do some horseback riding
Walk through the Cholla Cactus Garden
Hike the Hi-View Loop
~~See Skull Rock~~
Hike to Fortynine Palms Oasis
Hike Mastodon Peak
Hike the Panorama Loop
Hike to Lost Palms Oasis
See Arch Rock
Hike the Hidden Valley trail
Hike the Chasm of Doom
Hike the Hall of Horrors
Hike to Barker Dam
Hike the Creosote trail
Admire Keys View
Hike to Ryan Mountain
Hike to Warren Peak
See the wildflowers blooming
Drive the Geology Tour Road (4WD needed for the whole drive)
Kings Canyon

Lassen Volcanic

Drive Butte Lake Road
Drive Warner Valley Road
Drive Juniper Lake Road
Go kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding
Go stargazing
Do some Geocaching (in the park!)
Go snowshoeing in the winter
Hike through Bumpass Hell
Hike to Cold Boiling and Crumbaugh Lakes
Hike to Kings Creek Falls
Climb Lassen Peak
Hike to Mill Creek Falls
Hike to Ridge Lakes
Hike to Crags Loop
Hike to Echo Lake
Do the Lily Pond Nature Trail Loop
Hike to Manzanita Creek
Hike to Manzanita Lake
Do the Bathtub Lake Loop
See Boiling Springs Lake
Hike to the Devils Kitchen
Hike to Terminal Geyser
Hike to Horseshoe Lake

Redwood

Some of these activities are in the Redwood State park as they are listed together on the NPS website. I have not differentiated which is in the state or national park.

Drive Howland Hill Road
Drive Enderts Beach Road
Drive Requa Road
Do the Coastal Drive Loop
Do the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
Do the Cal Barrel Road
Drive Davison Road
Drive Bald Hills Road
Go whale watching
Check out the tidepools
Walk the Simpson-Reed Trail
Do the Stout Memorial Grove Trail
Hike the Trillium Falls Trail
See the Lady Bird Johnson Grove
See Fern Canyon
Do the James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon Loop

Sequoia + Kings Canyon

I have combined Sequoia and Kings Canyon as this is how they are listed on the NPS website. They are right next to each other

Explore the Grant Grove of sequoias
Visit the Redwood Mountain Grove
Find solitude in the Muir Grove
Camp in the Atwell Grove
Hike through the East Fork Grove
Attend the Dark Sky Festival
Climb Moro Rock
Do the Crystal Cave tour
Go snowshoeing in the winter
Do some rock climbing
Hike to Marble Falls
Hike the Lady Bug Trail
Hike the Garfield Grove Trail
See the General Sherman Tree
Do the Big Trees Trail
Hike to Tokopah Falls
Do the General Grant Tree Trail
Hike the North Grove Loop
Hikes up Buena Vista Peak
Hike Redwood Canyon
Hike up to Baldy Ridge
Walk to Roaring River Falls
Hike the Don Cecil Trail
Hike to Sheep Creek Cascade
Climb to Lookout Peak
Hike to the Cedar Grover Overlook
Hike to Mist Falls
Hike to Monarch Lakes
Hike to Crystal Lake
Hike to Franklin Lakes
Hike to Eagle and Mosquito Lakes

Yosemite

Score a Half Dome cables route permit
Admire Tunnel View
See Yosemite Falls
See Vernal Falls
Admire El Capitan
Climb El Capitan (if you’re a climber)
Admire the view from Glacier Point
See Bridalveil Falls
Visit the Ansel Adams Gallery
Hike the Mist Trail
See the Mariposa Sequoia Grove
Admire the view from Taft Point
Hike Lembert Dome
Admire Cathedral Peak
See Nevada Falls
Hike to Olmstead Point
Hike to Tenaya Lake
Go ice skating on Tenaya Lake (rare in the winter)
Explore Tuolumne Meadow
Explore Cooks Meadow
Go skiing or snowboarding in winter
See Horsetail Falls during the Firefall
Admire Valley View
Hike to Inspiration Point
See the densest sequoia grove in the park, Merced Grove
See Soda Springs
Do the Pothole Dome Hike
See Hetch Hetchy Falls
See Wapama Falls
Get away from the crowds on Tioga Pass Road
Go stargazing
Hike Lyell Canyon
Explore Yosemite Valley
Hike the Mirror Lake Loop
Hike the Valley Loop Trail
Hike the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail
Hike the Guardians Loop Trail

Colorado (4) national park bucket list

II think Rocky Mountain National Park is the most well-known (and most popular for sure) national park in Colorado but the other three are incredible in their own ways.

Black canyon of the Gunnison literally looks like a painting in person, Great Sand Dunes is just incredibly massive sand dunes and who doesn’t like that, and Mesa Verda which is a great park for history buffs and anyone interested in Native American culture/history.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

~~Drive down to the bottom of the canyon~~
See a bear
Visit the lesser-visited North Rim
Hike the Oak Flat Loop Trail
Hike the Rim Rock Nature Trail
Go to the Black Canyon Astronomy Festival
Go stargazing

Great Sand Dunes

Go sandboarding
Climb the highest dune in the US (Star Dune at 750 feet)
Climb the other four dunes over 700 feet
Cool off in Medano Creek
Hike to Medano Lake
Hike to Sand Creek Lakes
Hike the Mosca Pass Trail
Go stargazing
Try sand sledding

Mesa Verde

See the ruins covered in snow
Do the Petroglyph Point Trail
Do a Balcony House Tour
Do a Cliff Palace tour
Attend the Luminaria
Do a Long House tour
See the Square Tower House (tour)
Do a Spring House guided tour
Do a Mug House tour
~~See Spruce Tree House~~
Explore the Far View Sites complex
~~Hike to the Step House Ruin~~
Attend the Luminaria (attempted this but it was cancelled)

Rocky Mountain

Drive Trail Ridge Road
Hike to Sky Pond
See Alberta Falls
See Cascade Falls
Hike to Bear Lake
Hike to Bluebird Lake
See Ouzel Falls (and an Ouzel)
Climb Flattop Mountain
See moose
See bighorn sheep
See a bear
Hike to Dream Lake
Hike to Emerald Lake
Hike to Nymph Lake

Florida (3) national park bucket list

South Florida is where you’ll find all three Florida national parks so they can easily be visited on one trip, but one of them will require some planning pretty far in advance.

Everglades and Biscayne are the easiest to visit (be sure to visit Big Cypress, too!) but Dry Tortugas is expensive and hard to get to. It needs to be book almost a year in advance and it is not budget friendly.

BUT Dry Tortugas looks incredibly beautiful and is at the top of my own bucket list for national parks. A Florida national park road trip is a must and, even better, Everglades is home to some of the best easy hikes in Florida.

Biscayne

Do a boat tour
Camp on one of the keys
Visit Stiltsville
Visit Boca Chita Key
Kayak in the mangroves
Go fishing
Hike the mangrove trail
Try snorkeling
~~Go Geocaching (in the park!)~~
Snorkel/dive the Maritime Heritage Trail

Dry Tortugas

Take the seaplane
Camp on the island
Go snorkeling
See the crocodile
Explore Fort Jefferson
See the Windjammer Wreck
Visit Loggerhead Key
Go paddleboarding/kayaking on Garden Key
Go stargazing

Everglades

~~Hike the Anhinga Trail~~
Do a boat tour at Flamingo
Go kayaking at Flamingo
~~See a crocodile~~
~~See manatees~~
~~See alligators~~
Do an airboat trip
Go to the Pahayokee Overlook
Visit Shark Valley
Do a paddling trail on the Gulf side
Hike the Gumbo Limbo Trail
Go Geocaching (in the park!)
Do the Bayshore Trail

Everglades City tours

Hawaii (2) national park bucket list

I’ve been to Hawaii twice but I haven’t been to either of the national parks yet. These parks will make you feel like you’re on the moon with all of the lava rock.

Both parks are great for hiking and culture and have some of the most memorable national park experiences, like watching the sunrise in Haleakala and seeing lava flow into the ocean at Hawaii Volcanos.

Haleakala

Go stargazing
Do some horseback riding
Bike down Haleakala (only if you’re comfortable biking)
Go paragliding
Watch the sunrise from the summit
Explore the summit area
See a rainbow in the park
Do some birdwatching
Drive the Road to Hana
Hike the Pā Ka’oao Trail
See Pepe’s Paint Pot
Do the Keonehe’ehe’e Trail
Hike the Halemau’u Trail
Visit Hosmer Grove
See honeycreepers, found nowhere else on earth
Do the Pīpīwai Trail
See the Pools at ‘Ohe’o

Hawaii Volcanoes

See lava flow into the ocean
See lava
Hike Napau Trail to Pu’u Hiluhulu
See the Pu’u Loa petroglyphs
See the steam vents
Hike to the top of Pu’u o Lokuana Cinder Cone
Hike the Kamakapa’a Trail
Bike the Palm Trail
Explore Mauna Ulu
Walk along the Keanakakāo’i Crater
See the Sulphur Banks
Hike the Halema’uma’u Trail
Hike the Crater Rim Trail
Do the Kīpukapuaulu loop hike
See the footprints and Maunaiki
See a Nēnē (Hawaiian Goose)
Hike the Kīluea Iki Trail
Visit the Thurston Lava Tubes
Go stargazing
See the Holei Sea Arch
Watch the sunset at Halemaumau Crater

Indiana national park bucket list

One of the newest national parks is also the only national park in Indiana: Indiana Dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan. This is a small park and what I call a “city park” because it’s basically in a city and you’re driving on regular roads, not just a scenic drive in the park.

This is definitely not a favorite of mine but it’s still beautiful and great for hiking. It’s not the most impressive park out there but it should definitely be on your national park bucket list.

Indiana Dunes

Hike the Dune Succession Trail
Hike the West Beach Trail
Hike the Long Lake Trail
Visit Indiana Dunes State Park
Enjoy Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Beach
See Mount Baldy
Hike the Cowles Bog Traik
Hike the Dune Ridge Trail
Hike the Pinhook Bog Trails
Bike the Porter Brickyard Bike Trail
Hike the Glenwood Dunes Trail
Relax at Lake View Beach
Hike the Great Dunes Trails
Hike the Heron Rookery Trail
Go horseback riding on the Glenwood Dunes Trail
Hike the Great Marsh Trail
~~See the Century of Progress homes~~

Kentucky national park bucket list

One of three cave national parks in the US is also the only national park in Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park. It’s the longest cave in the US and offers a variety of styles of tours for all types of adventure. I love caves so this is high on my bucket list for national parks.

Mammoth Cave

Do a Historic Tour
Do the Gothic Avenue Tour
Do a Violet City Lantern/Star Chamber Tour
Do the Mammoth Passage Discovery tour
Do the River Styx Tour
Do the Frozen Niagara Tour
Do the Domes and Dripstones Tour
Do the Grand Avenue Tour
Do the Wild Cave Tour
Hike the Sloan’s Crossing Pond boardwalk
See the River Styx Spring
Hike the Heritage Trail
Hike the Green River Bluffs

Maine national park bucket list

Ahh, Acadia, another park high on my own national park bucket list. This would be an amazing park to visit in the fall to see the leaves changing (another bucket list trip for me) and do all the hiking. It is the only national park in Maine (full national park status) and one of the few parks in the Eastern US.

Acadia

Watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain
See the leaves change in the fall
Hear the thunder at Thunder Hole
Visit Sand Beach
Watch the sunset at the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
Do a ranger-led boat tour
Do a ranger-led bike tour
Do some tidepooling
Relax on Echo Lake Beach
Go horseback riding
Hike the Gorham Mountain Loop
Hike the Great Head Trail at Sunrise
Hike Bald Peak and Parkman Mountain
Hike Canada Cliffs Loop
Hike the Jordan Cliffs Loop
Hike the Jordan Pond Path
Hike the Norumbega Mountain Loop
Hike the Perpendicular and Razorback Loop
Hike the Beachcroft and Champlain South Ridge for sunrise
Hike the Beehive Loop
Hike the Penobscot and Sargent Mountain Loop
Hike the Precipice Loop

Michigan national park bucket list

Isle Royale is Michigan’s only national park and it is great for water activities and backpacking trips. This is quintessential midwest nature in all of the best ways. The best way to experience the park is on the water, so be sure to do that in some way.

Isle Royale

Do a guided boat tour
Do some Scuba diving
Go fishing
Do a backpacking trip
Do some kayaking or canoeing
Take a seaplane
Visit the Rock Harbor area
Hike to Scoville Point
Climb Mount Franklin
Hike to Suzy’s Cave
Paddle (or boat) to Raspbeerry Island
Visit the Windigo area
Hike to Grace Creek Overlook
Hike the Windigo Nature Trail
Explore Washington Harbor by canoe

Minnesota national park bucket list

Voyageurs is Minnesota’s answer to Isle Royale, another beautiful midwest park. A really cool thing to do here is drive the ice road in the winter. There are a lot more hiking trails here than Isle Royale but you really couldn’t go wrong with either one. Don’t skip adding these midwest parks to your national park bucket list.

Voyageurs

Do a guided tour
Go snowshoeing
See Kettle Falls
Drive in on the Ice Road in winter
Hike the Blind Ash Bay Trail
Hike the Echo Bay Trail
Hike the Kab-Ash Trail
Hike the Oberholzer Trail
Hike to Beaver Pond Overlook
See the Kabetogama Lake Overlook
Hike the Black Bay Trail
Hike the Anderson Bay Trail
Hike the Cruiser Lake Trail
Hike the Locator Lake Trail
Hike the Beast Lake Trail
Do some backpacking and camping

Montana national park bucket list

Glacier is easily one of the best and most popular national parks and for good reason. It’s incredibly beautiful and a favorite for a lot of people. It’s the only national park in Montana, except for a sliver of Yellowstone, and you can even visit Canada from here!

Glacier

See bears
Visit Polebridge
Hike to Iceberg Lake
Hike to Avalanche Lake
Hike to Grinnell Lake
Go whitewater rafting
Hike Ptarmigan Tunnel
Go to Two-Medicine
Visit Waterton
Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road
Hike to St. Mary’s Falls
Hike to Hidden Lake Overlook
Hike down to Hidden Lake
Hike the Highline Trail
Hike the Johns Lake Loop
Hike the Grinnell Glacier trail

Nevada national park bucket list

Great Basin is Nevada’s only national parks and it’s in my top five parks so far. I love it so much! This park is in the middle of nowhere and not on the way to anything. It’s literally on America’s Loneliest Road.

It’s home to the second highest peak in Nevada, the only glacier in Nevada, alpine lakes, and some of the oldest living things on Earth, Bristlecone trees. If this isn’t already on your national park bucket list, it needs to be.

Great Basin

Camp at Wheeler Peak
Climb Wheeler Peak
~~See the only glacier in Nevada~~
Do a Lehman Cave tour
See the Alpine Lakes (Stella and Theresa)
~~See the oldest living things on earth on the Bristlecone loop~~
See a mountain lion
Hike to Lexington Arch
Do the Lehman Creek Trail
Hike to Baker Lake
Hike to Johnson Lake

New Mexico (2) national park bucket list

New Mexico has two amazing national parks and one of them is in my top five parks as well, Carlsbad Caverns. Both are great but I love Carlsbad Caverns. These both make great additions to a West Texas road trip. I know White Sands is high on a lot of national park bucket lists and it’s definitely worth the trip.

Carlsbad Caverns

~~Walk in through the natural entrance~~
Do the Big Room loop
Do a Slaughter Canyon Cave tour
Do a Left Hand Tunnel Tour
Do a Lower Cave tour
Do a Hall of Giants Cave tour
Hike Rattlesnake Canyon
Hike to Guadalupe Ridge
~~Drive the Walnut Canyon Scenic Drive~~
Hike to Juniper Ridge

White Sands

Backcountry camp
~~Do the boardwalk trail~~
Do the Dune Nature Trail
Hike the Alkali Flat Trail
Go stargazing
Go sand sledding

North Dakota national park bucket list

Theodore Roosevelt National Park has a landscape similar to Badlands and Petrified Forest but a lot less people, so if you like either of those, this one needs to be on your bucket list for national parks.

Theodore Roosevelt

See bison
Visit the north unit
Visit the south unit
Go to the Dakota Nights Astronomy festival
Hike the Painted Canyon Nature Trail
Hike the Ridgeline Trail
Hike the Caprock Coulee Nature Trail
Hike to Sperati Point via the Achenback Trail
Hike to Caprock Coulee
Hike the Maah Daah Hey Trail
Hike the Petrified Forest Loop
See wild horses
See pronghorn
See a bobcat
See prairie dogs
See a badger
Do some birding

The ledges trail Cuyahoga valley national park

Ohio national park bucket list

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is another city park in the midwest. I didn’t have high expectations for it, and it’s not my favorite park, but it has one of my favorite national park hikes: The Ledges Trail.

It’s a great park for hikers and non-hikers alike and it’s super easy to get to. It’s particularly beautiful in the fall and you can find orchards here! While it’s not as grand as some western parks, it still deserves a spot on your national parks bucket list.

Cuyahoga Valley

See Blue Hen Falls
~~See Brandywine Falls~~
Hike the Ledges Trail
Hike the Boston Run Trail
~~Look for wildlife at Beaver Marsh~~
Bike the Towpath Trail
Ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Go stargazing
Go kayaking on the river
Go Questing
Go sledding in the winter
Hike to The Ledges Overlook
Admire the Old Carraige Overlook
Hike some of the Buckeye Trail
Hike the Pine Grove Trail

Oregon national park bucket list

Crater Lake is a beautiful park that can be visited in both summer and winter for entirely different experiences. It’s not a huge park but it is very unique. Hit the trails, spend a night at the park lodge, and visit Wizard Island for a wonderful Crater Lake experience.

Crater Lake

Take a dip in the lake
Take a boat out to Wizard Island
Watch the sunrise over the lake
See Plaikni Falls
Stop at all of the overlooks
Stay at Crater Lake Lodge
Hike up Garfield Peak
Take the trolley tour
Go fishing
Hike part of the PCT
Hike the Cleetwood Cove trail down to the lake
Hike to Godfrey Glen
Hike the Wizard Summit trail on Wizard Island

South Carolina national park bucket list

The best way to experience this little park is to get on the water and do some kayaking or canoeing. If you’re super short on time, the boardwalk is a great easy hike. You could probably spend a couple days here, but one day would be plenty to get a good feel for the park.

Congaree

~~Do the boardwalk~~
Go kayaking/canoeing
~~Look for all the bugs~~
Hike the Weston Lake Loop Trail
Hike the Fork Swamp Trail

Wind Cave national park bison south dakota

South Dakota (2) national park bucket list

The Black Hills area of South Dakota is wonderful and it’s also home to two national parks! Badlands and Wind Cave are both great for seeing wildlife, have some hiking you can do, and of course, one has a cave to visit!

While you’re in the area, visit Jewel Cave National Monument, too. Wind Cave and Jewel Cave are the second and third longest caves in the US. (Lechugilla at Carlsbad Caverns is number four and Carlsbad Caverns itself is 15 in case you were wondering.)

Badlands

~~See bison~~
~~See prairie dogs~~
~~See bighorn sheep~~
Hike the Saddle Pass Loop
Hike the Notch Trail
Hike the Window Trail
Hike the Medicine Root Loop
See the Badlands covered in snow

Wind Cave

Do a candlelight tour
Hike to the highest point in the park at Rankin Ridge
~~See bison~~
~~See prairie dogs~~
Hike the Prairie Vista loop
Hike Wind Cave Canyon (#2)
Hike Cold Brook Canyon (#1)
Wind Cave Tour (with crawling)
Garden of Eden tour
Natural Entrance tour
Fairgrounds tour

farm in cades cove great smoky mountains national park

Tennessee national park bucket list

Next is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the only national park in Tennessee and the most visited national park in the US. It sits at the opposite end of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Shenandoah making it nice and easy to visit both parks.

Though it is a long drive between the two, it’s worth it. While I think GSMNP should be on your national park bucket list no matter what, a visit in the fall will make it even better. Though it is extremely busy so keep that in mind. There is no bad time to go, really.

Great Smoky Mountains

See the fall colors
Drive the Blue ridge Parkway
~~Check out one (or all) of the Quiet Walkways~~
Hike to Clingmans Dome
Do the Alum Cave Trail
Escape the crowds on a winter visit
Hike part of the Appalachian Trail
See bears
~~Drive the Cade’s Cove Loop~~
Hike to Rainbow Falls
Hike to Charlie’s Bunion
Hike the Chimney Tops Trail
Get off the beaten path and see Mouse Creek Falls
See the Hen Wallow Falls
See the Juney Whank Falls
See the lightning bugs

Texas (2) national park bucket list

These Texas national parks are parks you’ll have to work for. Tucked away in the middle of nowhere west Texas you’ll find Big Bend on the Mexican border and Guadalupe Mountains on the New Mexican border.

One is huge and overwhelming, the other small and silent. While Big Bend isn’t on the way to anything at all, Guadalupe Mountains is right by Carlsbad Caverns. You could easily visit these and the New Mexico parks on one trip.

Big Bend

~~Hike the Santa Elena Canyon trail~~
Cross the border to Boquillas, Mexico
Hike the Boquillas Canyon Trail
Do the Chisos Basin Loop Trail
Relax in the hot springs
Stay at the Chisos Mountain Lodge
Hike the Lost Mine Trail
Do the Chimneys Trail
See Balanced Rock on the Grapevine Hills Trail
Hike Devil’s Den
Do the Mariscal Rim Trail
Hike the Mule Ears Spring Trail
Go stargazing

Guadalupe Mountains

Hike the Smith Springs Loop
Hike to Manzanita Springs at Frijole Ranch
Go backcountry camping
See a mountain lion
Hike McKittrick Canyon
Hike the Permian Reef Trail
Hike the Devil’s Hall Trail
Climb Guadalupe Peak
Hike The Bowl Trail
Do the El Capitan/Salt Basin Overlook Trails
Do the McKittrick Nature Trail
Visit the Dog Canyon area
Hike the Pinery Trail

US Virgin Islands national park bucket list

Another park a lot of people probably don’t know about is the Virgin Islands National Park. This is another park that is best visited by water but it does have some hiking trails, too. This is one I would love to visit soon and might be able to easier since we’re in Florida now!

Virgin Islands

Do some boating
Go fishing
Snorkel in Hawksnest Bay
Relax on Cinnamon Bay Beach
Snorkel off of Cinnamon Bay Beach
Hike the Francis Bay Trail
Hike the Lind Point Trails
Hike the Salt Pond Bay and Ram Head Trails
Hike the Tektite Trail
Hike the Yawzi Point Trail

la sal mountains at sunset moab utah arches national park

Utah (5) national park bucket list

I will forever sing the praises of the Utah national parks because I love them so much and they should all be at the top of your national park bucket list. Ok, they don’t have to be but they are amazing and you can see five on one trip!

You’ll get to see some of the most iconic Utah scenery and national park views here, like Delicate Arch, The Narrows, and Angels Landing. These parks are great for hiking and adventure seekers.

Arches

Hike to Delicate Arch
Do the entire Devil’s Garden Loop
Hike the Fiery Furnace
Feel like you’re in a Western on the Park Avenue trail
See Landscape Arch
Hike to Double O Arch
~~See Double Arch~~
~~Walk through The Windows~~
~~Hike to Turret Arch~~
Hike to Tower Arch
Do a scenic flight
~~See Balanced Rock~~
~~See Broken Arch~~
~~See Sand Dune Arch~~

Bryce Canyon

Hike the Fairyland Loop
Hike Queens Garden/Navajo Loop
~~See the waterfall at Mossy Cave~~
Go horseback riding
Hike the Peek-a-boo Loop
Go snowshoeing in the winter
Do a moonlight ranger-led hike
Watch the sunset at Sunset Point
Hike the Bristlecone loop
Hike the Rim Trail
Hike the Hat Shop Trail
Hike to Swamp Canyon

Canyonlands

Drive White Rim Road
~~Climb Whale Rock~~
See Mesa Arch at sunrise
Do a scenic flight
Hike to Aztec Butte
Hike Upheaval Dome
~~Admire Grand View Point Overlook~~
~~Stop at Newspaper Rock~~
See the Great Gallery in Horseshoe Canyon
Go backpacking in the maze (not for beginners)
Do the Chesler Park Loop
Go rafting
Try mountain biking
Hike to Murphy Point
Hike to White Rim Overlook

Capitol Reef

Pick fruit in the orchards
~~Get pie and cinnamon rolls from the Gifford Store~~
Hike to Cassidy Arch
See the Pioneer Register
~~Look for petroglyphs~~
Hike to Hickman Bridge
Hike into Cohab Canyon and to the North Fruita Overlook
Cool off in Sulphur Creek
Watch the sunset from Sunset Point
~~Check out the Goosenecks Overlook~~
Go stargazing
Drive the Cathedral Valley Loop
Hike Headquarters Canyon
Go backpacking in Lower Muley Twist
Hike the Halls Creek Narrows
Hike Surprise Canyon

Zion

Climb Angels Landing
Hike The Narrows
Score a Subway permit
~~Hike the Sand Bench Trail~~
~~Hike to Lower Pine Creek Waterfall~~
~~Hike the Pa’rus Trail~~
Admire Angels Landing from Observation Point
Hike into Hidden Canyon
Check out the Emerald Pools
Admire the Watchmen at sunset
~~Hike the Watchmen trail~~
Hike to Canyon Overlook
~~See bighorn sheep~~
Hike Taylor Creek Trail
~~Drive through Kolob Canyon~~
Drive Kolob Terrace Road

Utah posts you may also like:

Zion tours

Moab tours

Virginia national park bucket list

At the other end of the Blue Ridge Parkway is Shenandoah National Park, another eastern US park that is perfect for visiting in the fall. I didn’t love Shenandoah but we didn’t really get to hike because it was so busy.

This is a park thats high on my bucket list for national parks to go back and actually hit the trails. I would love to go back in the fall when its less rainy, too, but I’ll take what I can get.

Shenandoah

~~Drive Skyline Ridge~~
~~Hike part of the Appalachian Trail~~
See the leaves change in the fall
Go stargazing
See bears
Bike Skyline Ridge
Hike to Overall Run Falls
See Rose River Falls
Hike to South River Falls
See James Run Falls
Hike the Fox Hollow Loop
Hike the Lands Run Trail
Admire Mary’s Rock from Panorama
Hike White Oak Canyon
Hike the Rose River Loop
Hike to Dark Hollow Falls
Do the Bearfence Rock Scramble
Admire the view from Bearfence Viewpoint

Washington (3) national park bucket list

Washington is a magical state. It has beaches, mountains, rainforest, and waterfalls galore and you can see all of that in its national parks. Really you could see all of that in just Olympic National Park.

All three Washington parks are super high on my own national park bucket list since I haven’t been to any of them yet, just Seattle when I was little.

Mount Rainier

Hike up Rampart Ridge
See Narade Falls
Admire thee view from Panorama Point
See thee wildflowers blooming
See Myrtle Falls
See Nisqually Glacier
Hike to Silver Falls
Admire the view from Reflection Lake
Hike the Skyline Trail
Hike to Snow Lake
Visit Grove of the Patriarchs
See Comet Falls
Do the Sourdough Ridge Nature Trail
Hike to Tipsoo Lake
Go snowshoeing in the winter
Hike the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail

North Cascades

Hike to Diablo Lake
Hike the Cascade Pass Trail
Hike the Hidden Lake Trail
Hike the Maple Pass Loop
Hike the Rainbow Loop
Hike the Thunder Knob Trail
Do some bird watching
Hike to Thornton Lake
Hike to Pyramid Lake
Hike to purple Creek/Juanita Lake
Do some backpacking
Camp in the park

Olympic

Check out the tidepools
See Shi Shi Beach
Camp at Shi Shi Beach
Hike the Hoh Rainforest
Get away from the crowds in the South Fork of the Hoh Rainforest
Visit Hurricane Ridge
See the High Steel Bridge
Admire Lake Crescent
Do the Mount Storm King Hike
See Sol Duc Falls
Explore First, Second, and Third Beaches
Visit Ruby Beach
Go backpacking in Enchanted Valley
Hike the Klahhane Ridge Trail
Visit Lake Quinault
Hike the Marymere Falls Trail
Explore Land of the Ancients
Visit the Quinault Rainforest
Explore Kalaloch Beach
Visit Rialto Beach

mammoth hot springs yellowstone national park

Wyoming (2) national park bucket list

Last, but certainly not least, Wyoming. Home to two of the most amazing national parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. I really liked both of them but need to go back and see more of Yellowstone.

Ok, and hike more of Grand Teton since most of my experience with it was in the winter and you can’t do as much then. There are so many great things to do in Jackson which is a great gateway town (or Bozeman) for crossing both of these off your national park bucket list.

Grand Teton

~~See bears, wolves, moose, and bison~~
Take the ferry across Jenny Lake
Kayak on Jackson Lake
Paddleboard on String Lake
Climb Grand Teton (only for experienced climbers!)
~~Hike to Hidden Falls~~
Hike to Cascade Canyon
Go Rafting
See Cunningham Cabin
Check out Mormon Row
Do a Colter Bay boat tour
Admire the iconic Snake River Overlook
Visit Oxbow Bend
Admire the view from Schwabacher Landing

Yellowstone

~~See Old Faithful~~
Stay at the Old Faithful Inn
See the bubbling Mud Pots
~~Admire the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone~~
See wolves, moose, bison, and bears
~~Walk the Mammoth Springs terrace~~
See Steamboat Springs erupt
~~Check out Grand Prismatic Spring (from the boardwalk and above)~~
See Norris Geyser Basin
See the Artist Paint Pots
Climb Avalanche Peak
Hike to Bunsen Peak
See Mystic Falls
Do a snow coach ride in the winter
Go snowmobiling in the winter

What’s on your national park bucket list? Anything I should add to this national park bucket list? What’s the coolest national park thing you’ve done?