The Best National Parks On My Bucket List

A few months ago, I got to do something pretty extraordinary. I spent a few days in Southwest Utah, hiking in one of America’s top five national parks, Zion National Park. It was a journey I didn’t realize I needed until I was there.

Does that ever happen to you?

You plan a trip, maybe on a whim or at the last minute, (as I did), and you’re so in the mindset of go-go-go, that it’s not until you arrive at your destination, and have a moment to drink it all in, that you realize, oh this.

This is what I’ve needed and what has been missing in my life.

Spending a few days at Zion was a big wake-up call for me. It was the message I finally couldn’t ignore: what’s been missing in my life is spending more time in nature and challenging myself in the great outdoors.

I’m not alone in this notion. In study after study, it’s been proven that spending time in nature is good for you. It’s an antidote to stress, it can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce anxiety and improve your mood, among other things.

But honestly, while intellectually I know all of the above, it wasn’t until I stepped foot in the park, and made the conscious decision to stay off social media, email, and my phone, that I fully understood how important it is to experience the nature and beauty around me without any distractions. When I gave myself that space, I was reminded that nature is a part of us, and we are a part of it.

After my trip to Zion ended, I knew one thing. I want more of this. And so my National Park bucket list was born.

National Parks I’ve Been To That Should Be On Your Bucket List:

Before I dive into my bucket list of the National Parks I want to visit this year, I would be remiss if I didn’t share the ones I have already been to – which are equally as worthy of anyone’s bucket list!

1. Glacier National Park in Montana (I visited as a teenager and couldn’t get over the size of the glaciers.)
2. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming (Another park I visited as a teenager but can’t wait to go to again.)
3. Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah (Everyone should see the crimson-colored hoodoos at some point in their life.)
4. Sequoia National Park in California (The massive sequoia trees are awe-inspiring.)
5. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona (I’m planning to go back this spring to do much more exploring in this magnificent park.)
6. Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida (This park is only accessible by boat or plane and is home to an old military fort.)
7. Haleakala National Park in Maui, Hawaii (Go at dawn to see the sun rise over the volcanic crater, and dress warmly!)

The National Parks on My Bucket List This Year:

At the beginning of this year, I made one promise to myself. I am doing whatever I can to spend more time outdoors. Whether it’s skiing in the wintertime and rock climbing in the spring, paddleboarding in the summertime, or hiking in the fall, I am ready to embrace it all. And what better place to do this than with the US National Parks as my backdrop?

I am already plotting out my trips for the year, and I feel very fortunate that I have the help of a new set of National Park Guides from the trusted travel guide company, Lonely Planet, to inspire me and guide me through my adventure.

Here, in no particular order, is my bucket list of National Parks that I want to visit this year and the hiking trails I’m hoping to experience.

1. Yosemite National Park in California

After conquering Angels Landing in Zion National Park earlier this year, I now have a list of challenging hikes I’m hoping to complete. First on my list is the extremely difficult Half Dome trail, in Yosemite National Park. Even though I have been to this park already, I can’t wait to return to attempt Half Dome. Also, my last visit to Yosemite was as a teenager, so I’m pretty sure I’ll have a very different perspective of the park now, as an adult.

You can learn more about the Half Dome trail in Yosemite plus the parks out west that I’m visiting this spring, (The Arches and Canyonlands in Utah) in Lonely Planet’s California & Southwest USA’s National Parks Guidebook.

2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee & North Carolina

Even though this park isn’t so far from home, I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t been yet. It’s not for a lack of trying. A couple of years ago, a girlfriend and I spent a week in Asheville, North Carolina. While we had an amazing trip (check out my full Asheville Travel Guide here), we had to forego all the hiking we had planned due to torrential rain the entire time we were there. This year, I’m excited to head back with the help of Lonely Planet’s Florida & the South’s National Parks Guide to help me plan my trip!

3. Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming

Have I mentioned that I’m obsessed with Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and this nearby national park? No, really. I have been to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, two times in the last six months. Of course, it helps that I have a very close friend who moved there during the pandemic. But after my first visit to her, I totally see why she uprooted herself from NYC to move there. In a word, it is spectacular. Essentially, the Grand Teton National Park is now her backyard! (Another National Park you might have heard of, Yellowstone, is just up the road.)

While skiing was on the agenda when I just visited, this summer I can’t wait to hit up the numerous trails in the Grand Teton National Park and go paddleboarding on String and Lee Lakes. And one thing’s for sure – I will have the Lonely Planet Rocky Mountains & Pacific Northwest’s National Parks Guide in my backpack to guide me every step of the way!

Related: Here’s my Jackson Hole, Wyoming Summer Guide if you’re curious to know more about everything to see and do there. 

4. Crater Lake National Park in Oregon

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one more National Park that is also in Lonely Planet’s Rocky Mountains & Pacific Northwest National Parks Guide: Crater Lake National Park in the Cascade Mountains of southern Oregon.

Yes, I will admit that I was first inspired to visit this park after reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed, but there’s a reason this is one of the country’s more popular parks. Who wouldn’t want to see a lake formed by a now-collapsed volcano, Mount Mazama? Plus, I loved my last visit to Oregon and can’t wait to go again. However, this time, I’ll be sure to tack on a couple of days in Willamette Valley to taste all of the Pinots after hiking around Crater Lake. That seems like a perfect combo to me!

5. Acadia National Park in Maine

Maine is one of my favorite places on the planet. It is so full of natural, rugged beauty and also, surprisingly, has a top-notch food scene. (You can check out my travel guide for Mid-Coast Maine, here.) But as often as I have visited Maine, I still haven’t been to Acadia National Park.

In the past, I’ve avoided the park because of the immense crowds, but I will no longer let that stop me. Nature is for everyone and there’s more than enough to go around. So I can’t wait to plan a summer trip to Acadia National Park with the help of Lonely Planet’s New England & the Mid-Atlantic’s National Parks Guide.

6. Badlands National Park in South Dakota

I have wanted to visit the Badlands National Park for as long as I can remember. First, there’s the name. Can you think of a more epic and badass name for a park? Second, I studied Native American history and culture in college and have read much about the area. I still dream of the day I get to see it in person, and I’m hoping this year is it! But the park is huge, so I will definitely need Lonely Planet’s Great Lakes & Midwest USA’s National Parks Guide to help me plan my visit.

Which National Parks Do You Want to Visit?

What about you? Which National Parks are on your bucket list? Which ones are you eager to visit and why?

And if we are talking about parks, let’s not forget about all the incredible state parks as well. Our national and state park systems offer many opportunities to get outside and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

So whether your favorite park is a national or local one, I’d love to know which parks you’ve been to and recommend. I find that it’s always best to tap into the hive mind of this community when planning a trip for the best travel advice and recommendations.

That’s also why I wanted to share Lonely Planet’s new collection of USA National Park Guides with you because Lonely Planet has always been a trusted resource for me on my travels. The books showcase the best hikes, drives, and cycling trails in each park and include tips for traveling with children, and what clothing and equipment to bring for both day and overnight hikes.

The 5-set guidebooks were released on February 28^th. You can find the Lonely Planet Guides on Amazon and in bookstores.

Here are the links to the books again, in case you’re interested in buying one of the guides:

1. Lonely Planet’s California & Southwest USA’s National Parks Guidebook
2. Lonely Planet Rocky Mountains & Pacific Northwest’s National Parks Guide
3. Lonely Planet’s Great Lakes & Midwest USA’s National Parks Guide
4. Lonely Planet’s New England & the Mid-Atlantic’s National Parks Guide
5. Lonely Planet’s Florida & the South’s National Parks Guide

Happy reading! And, in this case, happy hiking, swimming, white water rafting, mountain biking, kayaking….well, you get it!

Here’s to a year spent outdoors enjoying the best that nature has to offer.

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