It is fairly common knowledge that national park travel is a good way to get value out of your vacation. The key is to remember that having a great experience doesn’t necessarily mean following the herd.
National park travel is officially hot, with over 275 visitors last year.
But most people are surprised to learn there is a grand total of 395 units in the national park system. That includes national seashores, recreation areas, and preserves.
So instead of looking up the places you HAVE heard of, like the Great Smoky Mountains and the Grand Canyon, consider the lesser-known sites. Granted, some of those off-the-beaten path sites are, well, hard to get to.
But there are some really cool, accessible parks that don’t have a lot of crowds. Places like the North Cascades National Park in Washington, and the Guadalupe Mountains, which is home to the highest point in all of Texas.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado has one of the most unique views in the country. You can stand on the rolling sand dunes and look at snow-capped mountains off in the distance.
You see, it’s all about discovering those unexpected places that make you a traveler, not a tourist.
For more about national park travel, check out the National Parks section.
And for more travel tips, click here to see our full tip archive.
