Activities in the Parks

Auto Touring

Auto touring is a great way to journey through the parks in the comfort of luxury seating and air conditioning! Capture panoramic views and experience scenic roads as you auto tour through hundreds of miles of park territory in mere hours. Most parks offer media to serve as your personal tour guides along the roads, with numbered posts or landmarks and information on park history, wildlife, and plants. If you want to see as much of the park as possible in a short period of time, then auto touring is for you! Park your car here for more information on auto touring.

White Mountains National Recreation Area • Lake Berryessa • Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest • Dalton Highway Recreation Management Area • DeGray Lake • plus 819 more ...

Backcountry Camping

Delve into the heart of the park and experience its intrinsic wilderness through backcountry camping. Although backcountry camping is an incredible experience, it is also an arduous one. Difficult weather, rugged terrain, and off-trail hiking tailor this activity to experienced and well-conditioned backpackers. Click here to propel yourself into the the backcountry.

Backpacking

Grab a backpack and escape from modern-day life into America's most pristine wild places. Whether you're on a day hike through Yosemite's expansive wilderness or an overnight trek through the depths of Olympic National Park, backpacking is a great way to stay prepared and enjoy the parks to their fullest potential.

Bicycling

Interested in exploring the parks as part of a group, but also have time to yourself? Want to cover a lot of ground, see the sights, and put as little strain on the environment as possible? Experience unity and solitude as you bike the carriage roads at Acadia, beach paths in the Everglades, or up and down the hills in the Rocky Mountains. Click here for resources to get you on the road to biking in National Parks.

Lake Pleasant • Folsom Lake • Folsom South Canal Trail • Picacho Peak State Park • Lake Berryessa • plus 1821 more ...

Birdwatching

National Parks provide dedicated, undeveloped space ideal for an array of bird species to thrive. Whether using binoculars or gazing with the naked eye, the parks' uninterrupted habitat makes them exceptional birdwatching enclaves full of endemic, endangered, and rare species. Did you know that conservation organizations have dedicated over 40 National Park Service sites as "Globally Important Bird Areas?" Click here to learn more about the endless birdwatching possibilities in our National Parks.

Boating

Whether you're canoeing in the Everglades, rafting in Glacier National Park, or kayaking in Acadia, experiencing the parks atop some form of boat or vessel may be the best way to appreciate the beauty of the national parks. Some of the best views come from the open water, so grab your gear and explore the parks from a different angle. Click here to get off of the land and into the water.

Camping

Camping gives visitors the chance to experience the parks as mother nature intended. Today, National Parks offer designated areas to camp as diverse as the visitors who come to find them. Some are in the "backcountry" requiring a hike-in, while others come complete with running water facilities and/or utility hook-ups! Click here to discover all the parks that provide this classic recreational activity. PS: Did you know that 50% of all illnesses are attributed to breating "indoor air?" Get out there and try CAMPING!

Canoeing

Propel yourself down the Rio Grande River, across the swamps of Congaree, or through the mangroves at Everglades using only paddles and your muscle power. Canoeing is a unique way to explore the hard-to-reach areas of watery parks solo or with the whole family. Canoeing in national parks will literally float your boat, so click here for more information on how to plan your next trip!

Caving

If you're interested in science, exploration, andadventure, then you might want to give caving a go. People have been exploring caves for thousands of years, but only in the last century has this activity turned into a sophisticated pasttime. With 113 caves to explore at Carlsbad Caverns alone, the possibilities are endless! Cast your rope here to learn more about caving.

Caribou National Forest and Curlew National Grassland • Gila National Forest • Deschutes National Forest • Grimes Point/Hidden Cave Archaeological Site • Fort Stanton Recreation Area • plus 65 more ...

Cross-country Skiing

On cross-country skis, even three feet of snow can't stop visitors from enjoying the national parks! Pick your favorite trail and let your poles be your guide. Naturalists and hunters alike have been using cross-country skis as a way of moving from one terrain to the next long before national parks were ... national parks! Whether on an overnight expedition or a leisurely wander through a forest trail, this sport is great exercise and a beautiful way to see the hidden beauties of the park.

Day Hiking

Before SUVs, snowmobiles, OHVs, and other motorized vehicles, the only way to see the intricacies of the park was by foot. Today, these fundamental activities are still the primary means of and perhaps the most natural and relaxed way to explore the parks. Day hiking is a safe and enjoyable way to experience parts of the park and sometimes preferable to an overnight trip into a difficult area that is beyond the capabilities of you or someone in your group. Please remember to keep the philosophy of Leave No Trace in mind: leave the trail as it was before you got there. Trails range from wheel-chair accessible to advanced, so be sure to ask questions ahead of time. Pick a comfy pair of hiking boots and click here for more information about day hiking in the parks.

Dog Mushing

Capture the spirit of a winter park perched atop a sled, led by an energetic team of huskies. Dog mushing is a unique and exciting way for dog-lovers to explore large tracts of Ameirica's snow-covered parks without an engine. Dog mushing ranges in use from utilitarian to recreational to competitive and is practiced not only in national parks but all over the world. Yell "Hike!" and click here to plan your own dog sledding adventure.

Fishing

Fishing in the inland and coastal waters of the national parks is a wonderful way to enjoy the parks year-round. Whether you're deap sea, reel casting, or fly fishing, please remember to pay attention to local rules and regulations, practice catch-and-release where appropriate, and get a license where required. Cast your lure here to find out more information about fishing in the parks and the gear you'll need for all your adventures.

Apache Lake • Bartlett Reservoir • Horseshoe Reservoir • Saguaro Lake Reservoir • Theodore Roosevelt Lake • plus 4029 more ...

Fly Fishing

Creeks brimming with trout, rivers teeming with perch, and resvoirs awash with salmon lure in fly fishers with snares in tow. This ancient sport has been engaging anglers for over 2,000 years, peaking in America in the early 1920s in the states of Maine, Vermont, and Wisconson. The appropriate fly fishing gear can make or break your fishing trip, so be sure to arrive prepared with a lightweight rod, a line, and the appropriate fly for the spot you're fishing. Bag and possession limits vary by species and by area, so be sure to check current park regulations. Cast your line here to find out more information about bag and possession limits in the parks and the gear you'll need for all your adventures.

Four-wheel Driving

Get ready, get set, GO! Fire up your engine and embark on a four-wheeling adventure through the extensive track networks and spectacular scenery of our national parks. From White Rim Road in Canyonlands to Boomerang Lake Trail in Wrangell-St. Elias to the backcountry roads in Death Valley, opportunities for exploration cater tp all levels of skill and expertise. SUVs, dirt bikes, and ATVs are a fun way to delve into the backcountry, but remember to follow local rules and regulations, get permits where needed, and stay on designated four-wheeling trails. Park your quad here for more information on four-wheeling.