Yosemite National Park
Location: Eastern California, Sierra Nevada
Admission:
(Individual park entrance fee, separate from reservation fee is valid for 7 consecutive days)
US$35 per vehicle (vehicle entrance reservation valid for 3 consecutive days)
US$30 per motorcycle
US$20 for pedestrians, bicycles
For those planning to visit multiple national parks in the year, the America the Beautiful Pass might be a better value option
Visiting hours: Open all year-round, 24/7. Visitors centers (staff inquires, maps, exhibits) typically operate from 9am-5pm
Special features: Famed waterfalls, Half dome, El Capitan, giant sequoias, and meadows
Fun Facts: Became a national park in 1890; a climbing hotspot
Accessibility: Shuttle bus runs between April to October; accessible trails; disabled parking available
Accommodations: Cabins, campgrounds inside/outside the park, and hotels options
Guided tours & experiences: Option of guided hikes, ranger walks, photo tours, Half Dome hikes (with permit)
Best time to visit: Waterfalls (May-June), fewer crowds and fall colors (September-October)
Nearby attractions: Mariposa Grove, Carlon Falls, Hetch Hetchy, Rainbow pools, Bass Lake, Tuolumne Meadows, Railtown State Historic Park, Columbia State Historic Park
Insider tips: Book accommodations early and plan your trip ahead, arrive early (before 8am) for parking spots or use local shuttles/YARTS to avoid entry queues
Start planning your trip by clicking HERE
Grand Canyon National Park
Location: Northern Arizona
Admission:
(All standard entrance fees valid for 7 consecutive days)
US$35 per vehicle
US$30 per motorcycle
US$20 per person by foot, by shuttle and by bicycle
Visiting hours: South Rim is open all year-round, 24/7. Visitor centers typically open from 8am-6pm
Special features: Rim trails, great canyon vistas, Bright Angel trail, Mather Point, Hermit Road, Desert View Watchtower, rafting experiences
Fun Facts: The canyon is up to 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep, carved by the Colorado River
Accessibility: Shuttle services run from Spring to Fall, most viewpoints and paved trails are wheelchair friendly
Accommodations: Campsites, hotels in Tusayana and nearby towns, lodges available inside rim
Guided tours & experiences: Ranger talks, mule rides, river trips, photography tours
Best time to visit: April to June, for less crowded and lower temperatures (September-October)
Nearby attractions: Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Sedona, Lake Powell, Bearizona Wildlife Park, Grand Canyon Railway
Insider tips: Reservations essential in the summer; arrive early; check shuttle service schedules prior to departure; pack smart for the weather
Start planning your trip by clicking HERE
Yellowstone National Park
Location: Wyoming, with some portions in Montana and Idaho
Admission:
(All standard entrance fees valid for 7 consecutive days)
US$35 per vehicle
US$30 per motorcycle, snowmobile
US$20 per person by foot, by shuttle and by bicycle
Visiting hours: North entrance open all year-round to vehicles. Other park areas have limited access during specific seasons. Visitors centers typically operate from 8am-8pm. (Best to check park access and road closures during your visit time)
Special features: Massive lakes, waterfalls, wildlife, hot springs/Geysers including Old Faithful
Fun Facts: First national park globally since 1872
Accessibility: Shuttle services, accessible particularly in front-country areas, main attractions feature paved paths, boardwalks
Accommodations: Lodges and campgrounds available
Guided tours & experiences: Wildlife tours and photo safaris, hiking, snowcoach tours in winter
Best time to visit: To witness the chance of seeing newborn animals and wildflower blooms (May-June), less crowds in September
Nearby attractions: Grand Teton National Park, Beartooth Highway, Cody, Jackson Hole Yellowstone River
Insider tips: Book accommodation months ahead of time; carry bear spray and other safety items; cell service may be limited
Start planning your trip by clicking HERE
Zion National Park
Location: Southwest Utah
Admission:
(All standard entrance fees valid for 7 consecutive days)
US$35 per vehicle
US$30 per motorcycle, snowmobile
US$20 by foot, bicycle
Visiting hours: Open year-round, 24/7. Visitor center typically operates from 8am-7pm during summer months
Special features: Red cliffs, slot canyons, trails and hikes
Fun Facts: This park contains one America’s most challenging hikes (Angels Landing, The Narrows, The Subway)
Accessibility: Paved trails, free Zion Canyon shuttle services from March through November, lookouts are wheelchair friendly
Accommodations: Zion lodge, campgrounds, hotels and motels in Springdale
Guided tours & experiences: Ranger walks, group hiking experiences, canyonneering, horseback riding
Best time to visit: April to June, for milder weather and less crowds from September to October
Nearby attractions: Bryce Canyon, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Kanarra Falls, Moqui Sand Caves, Snow Canyon State Park, Kanab, Springdale and St. George towns
Insider tips: Start your adventures early to beat the heat and crowds; pack smart for hikes; pre-book shuttles for busy tours
Start planning your trip by clicking HERE
Glacier National Park
Location: Northwest Montana
Admission:
(All standard entrance fees valid for 7 consecutive days)
(Summer: May1- October 31); (Winter: November 1- April 30) US$35 per vehicle; US$20
(Summer) US$30 per motorcycle; (Winter) US$20
(Summer) US$20 by foot, bicycle; (Winter) US$15
Visiting hours: Open year-round, 24/7. Visitor center typically operates from 8am-6pm during summer months
Special features: Alpine lakes and glacier-carved valleys
Fun Facts: Home to over 700 lakes, of which only 131 are named
Accessibility: Paved trails and shuttle system
Accommodations: Campgrounds and lodges
Guided tours & experiences: Guided hikes and ranger hikes, Red Bus tours, boat excursions, the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road
Best time to visit: July to September is when full length of the road is entirely accessible
Nearby attractions: Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada), Yellowstone National Park, Flathead National Forest, Blackfeet Indian Reservation, towns of Whitefish and Kalispell, Hungry Horse Dam
Insider tips: Reserved timed-entry for Going-to-the-Sun road or visit before 7am or after 3pm to avoid needing reservation
Start planning your trip by clicking HERE
Everglades National Park
Location: South Florida
Admission:
(All standard entrance fees valid for 7 consecutive days)
US$35 for vehicle
US$30 for motorcycle
US$20 individual pass (pedestrian, cyclist)
Visiting hours: Open year-round, 24/7. Visitor center typically operates from 9am-5pm
Special features: Wetlands and mangroves, wildlife (crocodiles, alligators, flamingos, manatees), Shark Valley
Fun Facts: Habitat for endangered species (UNESCO World Heritage Site), only subtropical national park in the U.S.
Accessibility: Boardwalks available, trams, some trails and tours are wheelchair friendly
Accommodations: Basic and remote campgrounds, hotels in Homestead and Florida city areas
Guided tours & experiences: Ranger-led hikes, wet walks, airboat rides, bike tours, bird watching, canoe and kayak trails
Best time to visit: December to April for dry season, cooler weather and fewer mosquitoes
Nearby attractions: Florida Keys, Biscayne National Park, Big Cypress, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, Miami,
Insider tips: Pack insect repellent, hats, sunscreen, and other necessities
Start planning your trip by clicking HERE
Bryce Canyon National Park
Location: Southern Utah
Admission:
(All standard entrance fees valid for 7 consecutive days)
US$35 for vehicle
US$30 for motorcycle
US$20 individual pass (pedestrian, cyclist)
Visiting hours: Open year-round, 24/7. Visitor center typically operates from 8am-8pm during summer but varies by season
Special features: Amphitheatre views, hoodoo spires, starry skies
Fun Facts: Excellent for stargazing, highest concentration of hoodoos, home to the Utah prairie dog, summer days tend to be cooler here than other national parks in the area due to high elevation
Accessibility: Shuttles available, wheelchair-accessible trails and viewpoints, paved paths
Accommodations: Bryce Canyon Lodge, campgrounds, hotels nearby
Guided tours & experiences: Ranger tours, horseback tours, night hikes
Best time to visit: April to June, September to October for milder weather
Nearby attractions: Capitol Reef National Park, Red Canyon, Mossy Cave, Grand Staircase Escalante, Paunsaugunt Wildlife Museum, Zion National Park
Insider tips: Catch the sunrise at Sunrise Point, hike into the amphitheatre early to beat the crowds, stay hydrated and pack for cold nights, even in the summer
Start planning your trip by clicking HERE
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Location: Southern Sierra Nevada, California
Admission:
(All standard entrance fees valid for 7 consecutive days)
US$35 for vehicle
US$30 for motorcycle
US$20 individual pass (pedestrian, cyclist)
Visiting hours: Open year-round, 24/7. Visitor center typically operates from 8am-5pm
Special features: Home to the world’s largest trees, giant groves
Fun Facts: The General Sherman is the world’s largest tree by volume and General Grant being the second
Accessibility: Numerous paved trails, accessible parking and some shuttles operating during summer
Accommodations: Park lodges, cabins, campgrounds, hotels
Guided tours & experiences: Ranger walks, horseback experiences, snowshoe tours
Best time to visit: June to September
Nearby attractions: Sierra Foothills, Lake Kaweah, Museum of Western Film History, Manzanar National Historic Site, Yosemite National Park
Insider tips: Opt for the shuttle service to avoid parking hassles; attend the Dark Sky Festival each September stargazing and other activities
Start planning your trip by clicking HERE
Denali National Park and Preserve
Location: Alaska
Admission:
(All standard entrance fees valid for 7 consecutive days)
US$25 for vehicle
US$15 individual pass (pedestrian, cyclist)
Visiting hours: Open year-round, 24/7. Visitor center typically operates from 9am-5pm during summer season only
Special features: Vast wilderness and wildlife
Fun Facts: Formerly known as Mount McKinley National Park, home to the tallest mountain in North America
Accessibility: There is only one road that is largely closed to private vehicles. To go further and explore the interior, shuttle buses/tour buses must be used (only running in the summer). Due to a landslide in 2021, Denali park Road is currently closed Mile 43. A bridge is being built and expected completion is in 2026.
Accommodations: Campgrounds within park, hotels and cabins nearby
Guided tours & experiences: Hiking, bus wildlife tours, flight tours, dog sleds, ATV/off-road tours, rafting and river tours
Best time to visit: June to early September for the wildlife viewing and bus road access, late summer for fall scenic color
Nearby attractions: Talkeetna town, Fairbanks, Nenana rafting
Insider tips: Pre-book buses and shuttles early; check for optimal weather conditions as clouds often hide the summit views
Start planning your trip by clicking HERE
