How to find the right National Park for you
Keen to see more of America’s great outdoors? After exploring every single National Park, travel influencer Renee Roaming knows the perfect fit for every type of adventurer
If anyone is qualified to be an expert guide to America’s National Parks, it’s Renee Hanel, aka Renee Roaming on Instagram. An adventure-travel content creator with nearly a million followers, she’s visited all 63 of them. And as she says, “Every one of the National Parks has something very special about it—whether it’s the incredible wildlife, the scenery, or a notable structure.”
The Seattle-based Melbourne native spent seven months exploring the parks with her husband Matthew, hopping from remote mountaintops in Alaska all the way to the colorful coral reefs of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The chance-of-a-lifetime project started as a sponsorship with a beverage brand, but then took on a life of its own, with the couple’s striking photography and insightful commentary eventually being parlayed into a book, Roaming America.
“The parks are so ingrained in American culture; it’s this great thing that everyone enjoys,” says Hahnel. Planning your own trip? Whether you’re traveling with kids, backpacking solo, or hankering for a bit of beach time, there’s a park for every person. Here’s her pick of the best.
Best for backpackers seeking solitude: North Cascades National Park, Washington
“This park is one of the least visited, and one of the most underrated. It’s considered the Alps of America because of its tall, dramatic peaks. There are parts where you can hike just a few miles and be in a really remote, wild area, far from civilization, and see such great views of the stars. It’s some of the most epic hiking in the world—it’s just paradise.”
Insider tip: “The mountain goats make for really beautiful photos with the jagged snowcapped peaks in the frame. And they’ll come right up to you.”
Best for all ages: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
“Bryce Canyon is famous for its red rocks, its hoodoo formations,” says Hahnel, referring to the spires of rock formed by erosion. “Families thrive here because much of it can be seen from the rim trail. But if you’re able to get into the canyon, it’s phenomenal: When you look up from the base of a hoodoo, it’s like, ‘What the heck?’ They are giant. The park is also great any time of year: In winter when you see the hoodoos covered in snow, it changes everything—the colors, the scenery.”
Insider tip: “Pair the Navajo Loop Trail with the Queen’s Garden Trail, and begin hiking clockwise just after sunrise at Sunset Point to have the canyon portion all to yourself. They also have horseback riding.”
Best for venturing into the wild: Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
“Nothing could have prepared me for the insane beauty of Alaska. Everything’s bigger, everything’s grander. Lake Clark is our overall number one favorite park. You have to fly from Anchorage in a small plane but it’s famous for crazy mountains, glaciers, beautiful turquoise lakes, brown bears, caribou, exceptional fishing… There’s an active volcano with steam coming out of it.”
Insider tip: “Pair Lake Clark with nearby Katmai National Park. It’s known for Brooks Camp, where brown bears fish salmon at the waterfall, but it’s also got mind-blowingly beautiful clear waters, and it’s home to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, where you can hike on the ash. It’s incredible.”
Best for beach bums on a budget: Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
“As a U.S. territory, this one’s great for a tropical adventure. It’s got that island vibe but also unique hikes and a 225-yard underwater snorkeling trail, which I haven’t seen at any other park. The current pushes you along and you see a ton of sea life—beautiful coral, fish, turtles everywhere.”
Insider tip: “This park is great for different budgets. We stayed in a tent on the sand, but you can also opt for a guest house or one of the fancy villas nearby, which are just stunning.”
Best for a detour: Big Bend National Park, Texas
“It felt like a really big drive, but it’s worth it. It has different sections, such as Chisos Basin where the elevation is very high; you can also hike down to the Rio Grande to raft, or soak in the hot springs. Another beautiful section is Santa Elena Canyon on the river; the big canyon walls light up at sunset so it’s like you’re hiking through a golden tunnel. You’ll see cacti and rattlesnakes—it’s really wonderful.”
Insider tip: “The hot springs are best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset, in the golden light, when it’s not as hot. It’s so lovely.”
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Best for fall color: New River Gorge, West Virginia
“America’s newest national park has absolutely beautiful fall foliage, although most people think of it as a summer park because it’s well known for river rafting. We were there in October and there were parts where you’d suddenly be surrounded by a tunnel of colorful leaves. And of course, there’s the steel arch bridge—we took a really fun rafting trip that went right underneath it.”
Insider tip: “You can take a tour where they harness you in and you walk across the New River Gorge Bridge, which is unique but also scary: It’s 3,000 feet long, you’re right underneath where the cars drive, and you’re looking down at the deep valley below.”
Best for easy access on wheels: Redwood National Park, California
“I love it because you can explore the coastline, rainforest and the tallest trees on the planet, all within one small, drivable park. In terms of trails, there’s something for everyone: There are even accessible trails that wheelchairs and strollers can be taken on. There are a lot of fun ways for families to get to see these giant trees. It’s very lush, and you can go any time of year. The park feels really alive—you can hear and see and smell the forest.”
Insider tip: “It’s not part of the park but the nearby Avenue of the Giants is a beautiful scenic drive that feels almost as if the trees are arching right over you, like a New York cityscape.”
Start From: Little Rock. Distance: 55 miles
A relaxing spa getaway or an outdoor adventure? Go for both on this road trip to one of America’s most underrated parks. As you head out of Little Rock, stop at civil rights landmark Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, before continuing on to the former spa town of Hot Springs. There you’ll find Bathhouse Row, home to Roman-style bathhouses and steam caves, and a museum chronicling the historic street.
Also of note is the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the only brewery located in a national park, where beers are made from mineral-rich thermal spring water. Stay right in the action at The Waters Hot Springs hotel. The next morning, round off your trip with a stroll around the scenic Lake Hamilton.
Start from: Miami. Distance: 235 miles
Hop from key to key, motoring over Caribbean-blue waters on the Overseas Highway, eventually reaching Dry Tortugas via catamaran for a day of snorkeling, exploring Civil War-era Fort Jefferson, and splashing about on pristine, clear-water beaches. On the way, stop in Key Largo for snorkeling in John Pennekamp Park; Islamorada to feed the tarpon at Robbie’s Marina; and Big Pine Key to spot mini Key deer and enjoy a beach day at Seven Mile Bridge. In Key West, hit the former home of Ernest Hemingway and lively Duval Street before rising early to catch the boat to Dry Tortugas.
Start from: Albuquerque. Distance: 290 miles
White Sands dazzles with its endless, undulating rippled white sand dunes, the world’s largest gypsum dune field, and the park’s 16-mile Dunes Drive loop and dune sledding make it especially family-friendly. On the way from Albuquerque, take I-25 for fascinating stop-offs in Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge, Fort Craig, the town of Truth or Consequences, and the Hatch Chile Market. Near the park, the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site is also worth a visit
Martina Sheehan is a Chicago-based travel writer-editor who has written for the New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, Budget Travel, Forbes Travel Guides, and Time Out guidebooks, among others. She has traveled to 38 countries and 46 states, and never leaves home without a good map app, a themed playlist, and her 7-year-old daughter.
