Amazing National Park Vacations

The nearly 400 areas that make up the United States’ network of National Parks are varied and diverse.  Almost every state and several U.S. territories boast these wonderful outdoor recreation areas, each one a bit different from the rest.  From the Statue of Liberty National Monument in New York to the far reaches of Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park, vacationers could travel for years and never be bored with the sights and sounds of these fascinating landmark parks.

From sea to shining sea, National Parks are beckoning visitors to come and explore all that they have to offer.  Some of the country’s most visited National Parks, such as Yellowstone and Yosemite, literally welcome millions of vacationers each year.  Especially popular with families and nature lovers, a trip to the National Park of your choice can be a true adventure vacation, with activities that will knock your socks off.  Or if you prefer, your National Park vacation can be calm and serene, with the opportunity to sit back, relax, and view some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

National Park Activities

Each National Park offers something unique.  Many are historical in nature and feature wonderful opportunities to visit sights that played an important role in the shaping of America.  Check out Valley Forge National Historic Park in suburban Philadelphia, where you can view the fields where George Washington and his men slept during the cold winter of 1776.

Travel towards the southern U.S. and tour the battlefields of the Civil War like the one at Manassas National Battlefield, the sight of the first battle of Bull Run.  Make a stop in Washington, DC, the area that has the highest concentration of parks and landmarks overseen by the National Park Service.

If you or your family prefer an active vacation, head West to the wild National Parks located in Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, California, Utah, Nevada, and Montana.

Whitewater rafters will want to make a stop in any of a number of exciting National Park destinations where they may enjoy the best of the sport.  Consider Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona for a trip on the mighty Colorado River or Texas’s Big Bend National Park, where you can enjoy an incredible excursion down the Rio Grande.

Hiking and biking are also favorite activities throughout many of the nation’s parks.  Most are home to well-groomed trails, suitable for hikers of varying experience levels during the summer and cross country skiers in the winter.  Mountain bikers flock to parks that offer exciting high-speed rides through the mountains, like Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado or Blue Ridge in North Carolina and Virginia.

There’s so much more to see and do that the possibilities are endless. At America’s fine National Parks, you can go swimming, climbing, boating, skiing, fishing, horseback riding, and so much more.  You’ll see mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, pristine seashores, and national monuments that will give you goose bumps.

Choosing a National Park

To find the National Park that best fits your wishes for the perfect vacation, determine your favorite activities or which part of the country you wish to visit then check out the National Park Service website (www.nps.gov) for both geographical and categorical listings for each park.

Consider booking your accommodations inside the park as well.  You’ll find an amazing selection of eclectic lodging, suitable for every budget, from camp sites and modest cabins to comfortable lodges and award-winning luxury five-star resorts.

Back to more travel and saving money tips and advice

To teach and learn money skills, personal finance, money management, business, careers, and life skills please go to the Money Instructor home page.