The West's Best National Parks

two cyclists stand beside bikes looking out at a river and mountains

National Parks

These Are the Days You Can Visit National Parks for Free

It's part of the program that grants visitors five free admission days in 2023.

January 11, 2023

February 15, 2023

Outdoor Adventure

I Worked in Glacier National Park. These Are 5 Must-See Gems

Skip an expensive Switzerland trip this summer and head to Montana for the trip of a lifetime.

June 1, 2022

May 25, 2022

National Parks

The Newest Place to Stay in Yellowstone Is Peak Glamping (Adventure Concierge Included)

Located near the North entrance to one of the West's most beloved National Parks, Under Canvas is the ultimate outdoor retreat.

December 2, 2022

December 3, 2022

Sun rises over the Painted Wall cliff at Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado, a great alternative to Grand Canyon, which is affected by overtourism

Travel Tips

Tired of Crowds? Try These Underrated National Parks Instead

Ditch the long entry lines and camping wait lists.

April 11, 2022

August 10, 2022

The Latest From Sunset

Landscaping

Considering a Low-Water Cactus Garden? This Is What You Need to Know First

Sure, these pointy succulents are low-maintenance, but even cactuses have needs, and you can find them all right here.

March 23, 2023

March 22, 2023

Living Area in Silver Lake House by Laun

Home Tours

Tour a 1930s Silver Lake Home That’s Now an Ode to Iconic Sea Ranch Modernism

California’s modernist utopia was the main inspiration for the home.

March 23, 2023

March 22, 2023

Mushrooms on a Log in Fern Gully in California

Flowers & Plants

Move Over Super Bloom, There’s a Super Shroom Happening Right Now

Thanks to all this rain, mushrooms are popping up in record numbers. Here’s how to experience the mushroom explosion.

March 22, 2023

March 21, 2023

Culture

20 New Books You’ll Want to Put on Your Spring Reading List ASAP

Get ready for these new releases.

March 21, 2023

March 20, 2023

Nearby National Park Alternatives

WildLands

Beat Arizona’s National Park Camping Rush with These Nearby Alternatives

Few destinations are more equipped to accommodate today's rush of campers opting for non-designated campsites than Arizona.

January 11, 2022

January 12, 2022

WildLands

How to Enjoy a Joshua Tree Camping Experience Without the Park Crowds

Joshua Tree National Park welcomed the 10th-most visitors of any U.S. park in 2020 despite closures during popular spring months.

January 19, 2022

September 14, 2022

WildLands

How to Enjoy Everything Zion Has to Offer Without the National Park Crowds

Few destinations are better equipped to accommodate dispersed camping than Utah.

January 26, 2022

February 7, 2022

Explore Our National Parks

Travel

The Best Basecamp for Utah’s National Parks Is This City You’ve Never Heard Of

This destination offers a central location within hours of myriad national parks, forests, and monuments, including Zion and Bryce Canyon.

March 4, 2022

March 9, 2022

A woman hiking at sunset past backlit cactus in the Saguaro National Park, West Side, Tucson, Arizona.

National Parks

Face Mask Rules Have Changed at National Parks. Here’s What You Need to Know

Individual parks will now determine whether or not to require masks—so you should check on the rules ahead of a visit.

March 4, 2022

March 9, 2022

Crystals in a basket at Wine and Rock Shop in Yucca Valley, California

Road Trips

Heading to Joshua Tree? Stock up on Snacks and Booze at These Roadside Stops

An insider's road trip guide for the best places to stop for sips and snacks, plus made-to-order sourdough.

November 30, 2021

December 1, 2021

Canary Springs terraces with water rushing down at Mammoth Hot Springs of Yellowstone National Park

WildLands

Record Crowds Are Flocking to Yellowstone. Follow These Rules for a Successful Trip

Accompanying the dramatic surge of national park visitors has been a spike of easily avoidable incidents.

September 21, 2021

January 11, 2022

Travel

10 Crazy Beautiful Places You Have to See in Joshua Tree

The top sites to see in the park, including other-worldly plant life and more stunning natural features

April 27, 2016

December 1, 2021

Travel

Heading to Utah? Here Are All the New Glamping Spots Near Zion

Take your Utah adventures to the next level at these epic new places to stay.

March 4, 2022

March 9, 2022

For a View to Wow You

Outdoor Adventure

Top Wow Spots of Arches National Park

The spots you can’t go to Arches without seeing

April 29, 2016

April 30, 2018

Outdoor Adventure

Top Wow Spots of Bryce Canyon National Park

From Sunrise Point to the night sky, Bryce Canyon National Park doesn’t disappoint in views

May 3, 2016

April 30, 2018

Travel

Top Wow Spots of Grand Canyon

These are the some of the world's most unforgettable views—from the Colorado River to the soaring Point Imperial overlook

July 7, 2009

August 24, 2020

Bison in Lamar Valley, one of the things to do at Yellowstone

Travel

Top Wow Spots of Yellowstone National Park

There are more things to see in Yellowstone National Park than you can count, but these 13 places—from giant geysers to valleys stocked with wildlife—can't be missed

July 1, 2009

January 13, 2023

Rockies

Top Wow Spots of Grand Teton

High in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park shows you the West in a new and beautiful light

June 8, 2009

April 30, 2018

California

Top Wow Spots of Channel Islands National Park

From stunning views to some of the world’s rarest trees to amazing marine life

July 23, 2015

April 30, 2018

Woman near Emerald Lake at autumn in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

Rockies

Top Wow Spots of Rocky Mountain National Park

From jaw-dropping views to lush, wildlife-filled meadows, these are the park's can't miss attractions

July 21, 2015

January 28, 2022

Rockies

Glacier National Park’s Top Wow Spots

Fall in love with the park’s unforgettable scenery―sapphire lakes, knife-edge ridges, hanging valleys, and towering peaks

July 7, 2009

November 5, 2019

Get the Gear

candles in tin cans positioned in front of volcanic rock, wood, and a colorful blanket

Lifestyle

The National Park-Themed Candles You Didn’t Know You Needed

Each candle blends a love of the outdoors with fragrances unique to each destination.

April 12, 2022

WildLands

Bring the Magic of National Parks to Your Living Room with This New Art Collection

Bring the beauty of the national parks into your home with Fifty-Nine Park's newest book.

July 7, 2021

July 9, 2021

drive-coffee-launch-ntlpark-collection-pr-0421

WildLands

You Love Coffee. And National Parks. Guess What We’ve Got for You?

Drive coffee's newest collections pays tribute to one of America's greatest assets—national parks

April 16, 2021

May 4, 2021

National Parks

The Latest From Sunset

Nearby National Park Alternatives

Explore Our National Parks

For a View to Wow You

Get the Gear

More Stories in National Parks