It’s officially the heart of summer and many of us are headed out for a family vacation as the world slowly starts to open back up again. Visiting a National Park is a great way to get outside while still maintaining social distancing precautions. They can provide the ultimate escape to the most beautiful and unique places in the nation that may just be a short road trip away for you and your family to enjoy! The versatile thing about National Parks is that there is a little something for everyone whether it is camping, the scenery, or learning about nature and wildlife. We have rounded up some of the most popular parks to safely visit this summer to help make your planning easier!
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is one of the most visited parks each year! It offers a wide range of activities such as biking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and natural hot springs. One important thing to remember before visiting Yellowstone National Park is to make your reservations early! Many of their popular lodges are fully booked up to a whole year in advance. Reservations open on May 1st the prior year for the summer season and again on March 15th the prior year for winter. According to Yellowstone National Park Lodges it is best to reserve your preferred dates and location as soon as reservations are available to you!
Joshua Tree National Park
For any Los Angeles residents, Joshua Tree National Park is just about a two- or three-hour road trip away! It has a variety of rugged mountains, gold mine ruins, desert flora, and its distinctive namesake trees. Joshua Tree also offers activities like rock climbing, cactus garden viewing, hiking, and walking trails. The National Park Service has amazing guides on what to do and how to make the most out of your getaway. They also share the best times to beat the dangerous desert heat. Be sure to also try and catch one of Joshua Tree’s stunning sunsets while you are there!
Zion National Park
Imagine gazing up at massive sandstone cliffs with colors of cream, pink, and red that sore into the bright blue sky! You can enjoy these beautiful sights at Zion National Park in Utah where ancient native people and pioneers walked. All Park visitors must purchase a recreational use pass upon entering the park. From mid-March to late November the campgrounds are a popular place to spend a night under the stars, but like many other National Parks be sure to book your reservation ahead of time!
Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
If you are making a trip to The Grand Canyon, we would suggest planning on spending more than one day a there is a lot to see at this large National Park! Be prepared to be captivated by its gorges, rock formations, and ridges. Simply enjoying the view can take hours as there are a variety of vantage points. The Grand Canyon has many things to do like helicopter rides overlooking the canyon, water rafting, and trail rides on a mule! The Grand Canyon Railway is a great kid-friendly activity where you can enjoy musicians and crazy cowboy antics while you sweep through the beautiful scenery of The Grand Canyon.
These are just a few of many spectacular National Parks that we have the luxury of visiting via car or plane ride! We would love to hear what your safe summer plans are this year with your family!
