Grand Canyon N.P., AZ
A 140-mile drive from the North Rim, but you won’t care. Toroweap Overlook’s view—3,000 feet straight down to the Colorado River—will stay with you for years to come.
Channel Islands N.P., CA
A one-hour boat ride from the SoCal mainland and you’re in a world of unspoiled beaches and unbroken Pacific views.
Gates of the Arctic N.P. and Preserve, AK
Super-size Alaska scenery, caribou, musk ox, and bears—and solitude.
Glacier N.P., MT
Our favorite Glacier route? Take the Going-to-the-Sun Road’s 50 miles of high Rocky Mountain amazement.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison N.P., CO
The spectacular South Rim Road is only 7 miles long—but what spectacular miles.
Great Basin N.P., NV
This Nevada park gets 3 percent of the visitors Yosemite does—more room for you to take in ancient bristlecone pines, Lehman Caves, and starry night skies.
Yellowstone N.P., MT and WY
We venerate dependable Old Faithful, but Beehive and Clepsydra (pictured) get geyser gold medals with their effervescent steam sprays.
Olympic N.P., WA
Beautifully brooding in winter, stunning in summer; if you have an ounce of poetry in you, Second Beach will bring it out.
Lassen Volcanic N.P., CA
Five miles round-trip, a 2,000-foot elevation gain, and you’re on top of a volcano with a view of half of California, thanks to the Lassen Peak Trail.
Yosemite N.P., CA
After a day of hiking, you deserve a good cocktail. One of our favorite cantinas is within the iconic park itself: The Majestic Yosemite Hotel Bar, a rustic but aristocratic spot.
