Surrounded by the excitement of metropolis dwelling, it is easy to miss the greater than 60 Nationwide Parks only a quick drive away, regardless of your location. But, with over 84 million acres of U.S. protected land, 63 Nationwide Parks, 84 Nationwide Monuments, 74 Historic Websites, 61 Nationwide Historic Parks, 31 Nationwide Memorials, and 12 extra classes of protected websites, nature is at all times inside attain.
For retirees, the Nationwide Park system affords dozens of how to remain lively, no matter your pursuits. From flat, scenic trails to handy shuttle buses, most parks are designed with accessibility in thoughts, making certain everybody can benefit from the outside at their very own tempo.
Whether or not you get a kick out of birdwatching, mild hikes, steep mountain climbs or guided excursions, there are websites and wonders simply ready to be found.
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Plus, eligible vacationers can reap the benefits of discounted entrance charges and passes, making these adventures simply inside your grasp.
With 63 Nationwide Parks and over 84 million acres of protected land, your subsequent unforgettable expertise is only a quick journey away. What are you ready for?
Ideas for visiting a Nationwide Park
The important thing to having fun with your time away is planning forward. Many of those parks are busy all 12 months lengthy they usually refill quick. If you’re restricted to visiting through the busy season, e book your lodging effectively upfront. For info on every park’s schedule, out there lodging, accessibility providers, and extra, go to every park’s web page on the NPS web site.
Along with researching on-line, cease by the guests heart first earlier than exploring the park. The workers are nice sources of data. You’ll probably additionally discover guidebooks, maps and pamphlets that present the historical past and extra particulars in regards to the park.
America the Stunning Senior Cross
The Senior Lifetime Cross is a lifetime move to each web site within the park system for under $80. It’s out there to U.S. residents and everlasting residents age 62 and older. There’s additionally a Senior Annual Cross for $20 per 12 months.
The Senior Cross covers walk-in entrance charges and the automobile entrance charge for you and all of your passengers, regardless of their age. In case your celebration has a second automobile, the doorway charge for that automobile isn’t lined by the Cross.
You possibly can receive the move at any of the parks or buy it on-line by way of the NPS web site.
Different Nationwide Park passes out there:
- Navy Cross – free entrance for lively U.S. army, and free lifetime move for U.S. veterans and Gold Star households.
- Entry Cross – free lifetime move for U.S. residents or everlasting residents with disabilities.
The eight finest Nationwide Parks for retirees
Regardless of the place you reside, a Nationwide Park may be very probably solely a brief drive away.
1. Yellowstone Nationwide Park
Outdated Trustworthy Geyser erupting in Yellowstone Nationwide Park
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Yellowstone Nationwide Park covers an space of roughly 3,468 sq. miles and is primarily situated within the northwest nook of Wyoming, with small parts extending into Montana and Idaho. It was the primary nationwide park within the U.S., established in 1872.
It additionally has greater than half of the world’s lively geysers, together with sulfur swimming pools and salt flats. After all, you received’t wish to miss Outdated Trustworthy — erupting each 45 minutes to 2 hours across the clock. If that’s not your first selection, there are grizzlies, black bears, bobcats, and greater than 60 different species of mammals within the park.
Ideas for visiting: Yellowstone isn’t open year-round, opening usually in late April and shutting in September as a consequence of snowfall. When open, park entrances usually are not gated at night time and guests might enter and exit the park 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
For retirees who would quite not drive the winding roads, there are a number of authorised bus corporations providing service within the park. Yellowstone Nationwide Park Lodges operates 9 lodges, however make reservations early
Charges: Customary move: $20 to $35. Annual Cross: $70. If you have already got an America the Stunning — the Nationwide Parks and Federal Leisure Lands Cross, you’re all set.
2. Zion Nationwide Park
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Positioned on State Route 9 in southwest Utah, Zion Nationwide Park was as soon as named Mukuntuweap Nationwide Monument. It was so arduous to pronounce that it was later renamed to Zion. The park itself has one thing for everybody, from difficult climbs for the adventurous hiker to straightforward hikes that result in waterfalls and sandstone cliffs. Carry your digicam because the surroundings is spectacular.
Ideas for visiting: When you have mobility points, chances are you’ll be granted an exception, as non-public autos are discouraged within the park. The park is open year-round, and through the shuttle season (relying on climate situations), you can’t drive your private automobile on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Shuttles arrive about each 10-Quarter-hour on the Springdale Line (exterior the park) and about each 5-10 minutes on the Zion Canyon Line (contained in the park). No ticket, allow, or reservation is required to trip the park shuttle or enter Zion Nationwide Park.
Charges: Customary move: $20 to $35. Annual Cross: $70. If you have already got an America the Stunning—the Nationwide Parks and Federal Leisure Lands Cross, that is the one entrance move you want.
3. Grand Canyon Nationwide Park
Boaters at Grand Canyon Nationwide Park
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
[Note: Due to the Dragon Bravo Wildfire, the North Rim of the park is closed for the remainder of the 2025 season.]
Grand Canyon Nationwide Park in northern Arizona is without doubt one of the Seven Pure Wonders of the World — and rightly so. Carved over thousands and thousands of years from the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is a unprecedented sight that each retiree ought to see not less than as soon as. The Canyon is 277 miles in size, 18 miles broad, and in some areas, over one mile in depth.
Though the paths into the canyon are inaccessible to individuals with mobility points, many viewpoints alongside the rim make this park price visiting. The canyon affords mountain climbing, mule rides, whitewater rafting, birdwatching, and a lot extra. When you’re tenting, reservations are extremely really helpful. Discover extra details about tenting on the south rim (open all 12 months lengthy).
Ideas for visiting: The Grand Canyon, eating places, and lodging are all accessible by way of wheelchair. Nevertheless, the paths usually are not accessible to individuals with mobility points.
Visitation to the Grand Canyon is highest throughout March and April, Memorial Day to Labor Day, and through all main vacation weeks. Plan to enter the park on a weekday, as weekends might be busier. If visiting throughout excessive visitation, arrive at an entrance station both earlier than 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m. This may reduce your probabilities of lengthy wait instances to enter the park.
Charges: Customary Entrance Passes: $20.00–$35.00. Admission to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park is for 7 days and consists of each the South Rim and the North Rim (CLOSED FOR 2025). No money is accepted on the park’s three entrance stations; credit score/debit playing cards solely. You can even purchase your move on-line. If you have already got an America the Stunning Cross, you’re good to go.
4. Yosemite Nationwide Park
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Though identified for its waterfalls (three of the ten highest on this planet), inside Yosemite’s almost 1,200 sq. miles, you’ll find rolling meadows, deep valleys, large sequoias, an enormous wilderness space, and far more. The long-lasting Half Dome of El Capitan is a must-see.
Positioned in Northern California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite is open all 12 months, though some areas of the park are inaccessible by automobile from roughly November to Might as a consequence of snow. Yosemite turns into very busy throughout peak instances of the 12 months, so make your reservations early in the event you plan to go to.
Ideas for visiting: Bus service is accessible to Yosemite Valley from many cities in California and past. Shuttle buses additionally function throughout the park. When you plan to drive, chances are you’ll end up caught in visitors, ready on the entrance or unable to seek out parking, so plan accordingly.
Lodging choices vary from tent cabins to deluxe rooms at The Ahwahnee. Go to the Yosemite Hospitality (Aramark) web site for full descriptions, costs, and on-line reservations.
Charges: Park Entrance Payment: $2.00 year-round. Customary Entrance Automobile Passes: $20.00–$35.00. Annual Cross: $70. If you have already got an America the Stunning Cross, you’re good to go.
5. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park in Colorado has among the most picturesque topography within the U.S. Additionally it is one of the crucial in style nationwide parks for seeing wildlife, comparable to black bears, Bighorn sheep, mountain lions and over 260 recorded species of birds.
The park is lower than two hours from Denver, between the cities of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Lodging in close by Estes Park is pricey and fills up shortly, so plan forward. The city of Boulder has inexpensive lodging, however that may change relying on the time of 12 months.
Ideas for visiting: Admission to the park is thru a timed entry from the top of Might by way of October. E book your entry forward of time. Additionally, as a result of climate situations can change quickly at larger elevations, you have to be ready to regulate journey plans at any time.
You might be additionally inspired to name the park’s Path Ridge Street recorded standing telephone line at (970) 586-1222 in the event you’re planning to drive. One other factor, the roads are difficult, with many twists and turns, so think about using the park’s free shuttle bus to succeed in in style locations as a substitute.
Charges: A legitimate entrance charge or park move is at all times required to enter Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Customary Entrance Passes: $20.00–$35.00. This park doesn’t settle for money. When you have your America the Stunning Cross, you’re all set.
6. Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park
John Cable Grist Mill in Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee and is famend for having among the oldest mountains on this planet. It is without doubt one of the most visited nationwide parks within the U.S., with greater than 11 million guests yearly on common.
When you love animals, there are many animals that decision the park dwelling, from river otters to elk and black bears. You by no means know which animals you would possibly spot in your journey. You‘ll additionally discover early homesteads and properties left behind from centuries in the past. Nevertheless, many usually are not accessible to wheelchair customers.
Ideas for visiting: The park is open year-round, although roads could also be closed seasonally. There isn’t any entrance charge for this park. Discovering parking might be nerve-racking within the park, so take pleasure in a shuttle trip from native communities to park locations as a substitute. Most shuttle providers run from March by way of October.
There aren’t any motels or rental cabins situated throughout the park, aside from Le Conte Lodge, which might solely be reached by mountain climbing. Reservations are required.
Charges: The Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park doesn’t cost an entrance charge.
If you’re driving your private automobile, you will have to buy a parking tag, which might be obtained on-line earlier than your go to or in particular person on the park. Day by day tag: $5, weekly tag: $15, or annual tag: $40. Automobiles displaying state-issued disabled placards or license plates are exempt from buying a parking tag.
7. Acadia Nationwide Park
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Acadia Nationwide Park is situated on Mount Desert Island close to the city of Bar Harbor, Maine. The park is gorgeous, with the best rocky headlands on the Atlantic coast. The park encompasses almost 50,000 acres alongside the Atlantic Shoreline, 33 miles of scenic roads and greater than 150 miles of mountain climbing trails. You’ll discover sandy seashores, lighthouses, wildlife and awe-inspiring ocean cliffs to take pleasure in.
Finest time to go to? Within the fall, when the leaves have turned into beautiful new colours. The east facet of Mount Desert Island is essentially the most visited space of Acadia. The 27-mile Park Loop Street affords excellent views and entry to in style spots.
Ideas for visiting: Acadia Nationwide Park is open year-round. As a result of parking is restricted, use the free, wheelchair-accessible Island Explorer shuttle buses to journey to in style park locations.
There are three essential campgrounds within the park, however no accommodations or different lodging. Moreover, the Jordan Pond Home is the one restaurant in Acadia Nationwide Park.
Charges: All guests to Acadia Nationwide Park are required to have and show a park entrance move. Customary Entrance Cross: $20 to $35. When you have your America the Stunning Cross, you’re all set.
8. Everglades Nationwide Park
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The Everglades is the most important subtropical wilderness within the U.S. Additionally it is one of the crucial accessible parks within the Nationwide Park system. There are a lot of methods to benefit from the park, by way of a guided tour, narrated tram excursions, on an airboat tour or guided 90-minute boat excursions. You possibly can birdwatch, fish, go kayaking, biking and tenting.
There are numerous lodging inside Everglades Nationwide Park. You possibly can keep in a single day on the newly opened Flamingo Lodge, cozy up in absolutely geared up houseboats, loosen up in a winter or summer time glamping tent, or pitch a tent in one of many two campgrounds.
Ideas for visiting: Journey is really helpful through the dry season (December by way of April), because the mosquito inhabitants is much less prevalent throughout this time.
Charges: All guests will need to have an entrance move. Please be aware the park doesn’t settle for money. Customary Entrance Cross: $20 to $35. When you have your America the Stunning Cross, you’re all set.
Extra Nationwide Parks to go to
With greater than 60 Nationwide Parks within the U.S., you’ll wish to plan to go to as many as potential. In any case, you’re retired. Listed below are a number of extra completely must-see parks so as to add to your bucket checklist.
Mammoth Caves Nationwide Park — situated in south-central Kentucky, north/east of Bowling Inexperienced.
Arches Nationwide Park — situated in jap Utah, adjoining to the Colorado River.
Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park — situated in southwestern Utah, close to town of Bryce.
Mesa Verde Nationwide Park — situated in Montezuma County, Colorado, close to the city of Cortez.
Mt. Rainier Nationwide Park — situated in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in Washington state.
Denali Nationwide Park — situated in Alaska, centered on Denali (federally designated as Mount McKinley).
Glacier Nationwide Park — situated in northwestern Montana, on the Canada–United States border.
Carlsbad Canyon Nationwide Park — tucked within the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico.
For extra info on every Park, go to the Nationwide Park Service web site.
