From sea to shining sea, you can see all of America’s natural beauty in the 59 U.S. national parks. The National Park Service started in 1916 and since then has protected some of the most beautiful landmarks and ecosystems in America. Of course, national parks are an outdoor adventurer’s dream, but even if you’ve never been hiking, kayaking, camping, rock climbing or snorkeling before, each park is accessible for many ability levels.
Whether you’re just driving through and admiring the geological wonders or roughing it overnight, the national parks are sites that you have to see to believe. The most important thing you should know about visiting the national parks is: just go! Pack your camera, load up your loved ones in the car, and Drive The Nation to explore the wonders in your own back yard! If you’re not sure where to start, try learning about the best national parks of the East (or the West!), our favorite parks for stargazing, packing a picnic, driving a scenic loop or bringing along the dog. We’ve even shared the best lesser-know national parks to visit. You can read details on each of the 59 national parks from our Drive The Nation travel experts – just click the badge below for a park that looks exciting to you!