10 Activities You Can’t Miss in National Parks

Sequoias National Park Hiker. Caucasian Men with Large Backpack on the Sierra Nevada Trailhead in California, United States of America. Taking Sun While Staying on the Fallen Giant Redwood Sequoia Tree.

National Parks are a collection of natural landscapes and monuments which you can find all around the world. National Parks have often been preserved because they hold some unique features, such as a landmark or a rare plant species. Some National Parks also contain cultural points of interest, such as an archaeological site. They hold a certain cultural value for the people who live in those areas; National Parks represent some significant point in history where something important happened. National parks typically conserve different ecosystems and habitats, protecting more than just plants and animals but regions like rocks and mountain ranges as well. Here is a list of 10 activities that visitors to National Parks should not miss:

1. Hiking 

National parks offer you innumerable hiking trails at varying levels of difficulty; there will be something available for everyone, regardless of their physical condition. Hiking National Parks will show you some amazing landscapes and give you the chance to take in all the natural beauty that National Parks have to offer.

2. Camping 

National parks are an exciting place to spend a night or two under the stars! National Park camping is very popular among young people because there’s no better way to appreciate nature than waking up surrounded by it. If you prefer something more comfortable, there are lodges available throughout National Park areas where you can spend your nights.

3. Rock Climbing 

National parks usually feature cliffs and rocks with various levels of difficulty for rock climbing enthusiasts; if you’re interested in outdoor activities, this should definitely be on your list of things to do when visiting National Parks. National Park guides are usually the best way to learn about good locations for rock climbing and the conditions you’ll find there, so make sure you ask them for advice before setting out on your National Park adventure!

4. Stargazing 

National parks offer dark skies which are perfect if you want to go stargazing; National Park rangers can advise you on where to find the darkest spots within National Parks. It’s an amazing experience that not many people get to enjoy, but National Park visitors lucky enough to catch a glimpse of all those stars above can certainly say they were among just a handful of people in history to do so. Breathtaking!

5. Riding Animals 

Experiencing nature at its finest might be what National Parks are all about, but some National Parks offer another option to visitors; National Park guides might let you ride some of the National Parks native animals. National Park donkeys or National park mules are usually used for this type of activity, so National Park visitors should be prepared to get up close and personal with some non-human companions.

6.  Sea Kayaking 

National parks feature National Park lakes and rivers, and National Park rangers suggest kayaking as an activity that visitors should not miss out on. National park guides can take you at least part of the way by boat if you need them to, making sea kayaking a possibility even for those National Park visitors who don’t know how to do it themselves.

7. Sunsets

A sunset is something that National Park visitors will probably be able to enjoy on most occasions. National Parks are often situated in locations where National Park visitors can watch sunsets over water bodies like rivers or beaches. National Park rangers usually recommend some great spots for sunset watching; make sure you don’t miss out!

8. Sunrise 

If you want an unforgettable experience, National Park rangers suggest waking up very early one morning to catch a sunrise. It’s not easy, but National Park guides know of some great spots that offer amazing views of the sun coming up over the horizon. The atmosphere will already be buzzing at that time because other visitors are also waking up and getting ready for the day ahead. What better way to start it than by taking it all in from National Park vistas that few visitors get to enjoy?

9. Waterfalls 

Waterfalls are perhaps the most iconic sight in all of nature; you’ll be able to see them at locations like Natural bridges, Utah. Waterfalls and other sights like natural bridges and arches bring many national park visitors every year to places like North Carolina and Arizona. If you’re there during the right season for waterfalls, then don’t miss out!

10. Geysers 

National parks feature some breath-taking natural phenomena; geysers are among them! If you want an eyeful (see what I did there?) of hot water shooting up into the air, then visiting a national park like Yellowstone is your best bet to see geysers for real! They’re definitely one of the most popular activities at these places.

Now that you know a bit more about National Parks, hopefully you will be able to plan a National Park adventure of your own. Just make sure you keep National Park guides in mind if you need help. National Park rangers are the most qualified National Park experts for a reason! National Park maps are also available at National Park stores, so make sure you don’t forget to bring one with you when visiting.