Joshua Tree National Park, California: Re-opened May 18. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky: All trails have reopened, backcountry campsites still closed. By Dani Halteman Contributor at Shareably In 1916, Congress decided to create the National Park Service in order to help protect the world’s most enchanting places. Try another? Millions of people come to this Sierra Nevada wilderness each year to see jagged peaks, glaciers, lush meadows and some of the world’s tallest waterfalls. As always, check with each park’s website for information about specifically what camping and recreational possibilities exist. While all 62 national parks are worth visiting, the top 10 most-visited ones are truly some of the nation’s best, with bucket-list destinations like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite making the cut. Required fields are marked *. Big Bend National Park is often considered one of the best national parks in the Lower 48 for stargazing, though the Rio Grande river is also a boon for adventurous kayakers and canoers. January: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho Aboveground, 84 miles of hiking trails wind through old-growth forests, sandstone ridges, salamander-filled wetlands and hemlock ravines. NOTE: Call 907-697-2230 for more information. From 850 to 1250, Pueblo peoples built ceremonial sites and great houses here, connected by roads and trade. Be sure to check their website.) We already have this email. You can visit the park on a day trip or plan a, trip and stay awhile. Yet even from a car window the looping rocks are plenty engaging, especially in the ruddy glow of sunset. Discover the best things to do in Joshua Tree, NOTE: East entrances from the Blackfeet Reservation are closed, as are all campgrounds. And you can’t do much better than hitting up the best national parks in the U.S. during an epic, adventure. SALT LAKE CITY — Most national parks are open as a refuge for Americans tired of being stuck at home during a global coronavirus pandemic, but despite now being free to … Discover the best things to do in Glacier National Park, NOTE: All park roads and trails are open. of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. © 2020 Time Out America LLC and affiliated companies owned by Time Out Group Plc. 14 Best Day Hikes in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Note: Park entrances, roads, parking lots, trails, most restrooms and individual camp sites are open. For an overnight at the Grand Canyon, hikers can switchback steeply down to the river, a mile below the rim, where secluded campsites reward the effort. Established in 1910, Montana's vast gem—it takes up more than one million acres—is older than the national park system itself and boasts one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. What’s open and what’s closed at Utah’s national parks Many national parks are reopening in phases after some were shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. National Parks Traveler, a nonprofit publication, also keeps an updated list of what’s open. Park entrance fees and passes are also being collected at this time. The Moraine Park, Longs Peak, and Timber Creek campgrounds are open all year, and Rocky is one of the few national parks that allows backcountry camping in … NOTE: The park is open, allowing access to Teton Park Road, Moose-Wilson Road and North Park Road, as well as daytime hiking trails. Arches National Park, Utah: Re-opening May 29, though campgrounds are still closed. Related: Guide to choosing the best Pigeon Forge cabin rental Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce Canyon National Park. Campgrounds remain closed. You can also subscribe without commenting. Carved by the Colorado River, the 277-mile gorge is magisterial from any perspective, but it’s thrilling to venture below the rim. The following is a list of major national park units that are open now or scheduled to be soon. Top Attractions in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio. Hikers who brave the rim of its crater encounter steam vents and wide ocean views, while others find gentler trails through rainforest, with giant ferns and blooming ohi’a trees. Fossils show that rhinos and camels once roamed here, but today these 244,000 acres are home to bison, bobcats and bighorn sheep. But when you reach the park, monumental sandstone buildings rise from the desert valley. The United States national park system offers so much diversity—climates range from tropical to subarctic, and from arid deserts to lush rainforests—that in every month of the year you can find a park worth visiting. Acadia National Park. They draw an increasing number of thrill seekers (and Instagram braggarts) each year, who rappel into sinuous canyons or squeeze through narrow labyrinths. Most of the park is on Mount Desert Island, which it shares with several charming towns, but it also extends to the Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut. 2. It also saves you time at the gate. Notify me of followup comments via email. The parks with the best stars. (Though, most open parks have their fees waived at this time. And if you’re so inclined, you can rent plastic sleds to slide down them.Discover the best things to do in New Mexico, On the long, dusty road to Chaco Culture, it’s hard to believe that you’re heading to the heart of an ancient civilization. Get a Wild Card! Backpackers take to the rugged John Muir trail, named for the farsighted writer who helped create the park in 1890.Discover the best things to do in Yosemite. The safest place to start is the well-maintained Bright Angel Trail, which follows an ancient route past sculpted sandstone to a cottonwood oasis. (Photo by Brent Clark Photography/Getty Images) The main park road and all viewpoints are open, as are many popular trails in the Bryce Amphitheater area; the visitor center and bookstore are also open. From the deserts of California to the coral reefs of the Virgin Islands, from the forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains to subarctic Alaska, the spectrum of America’s ha… Late winter and early spring often sees national parks interviewing and hiring seasonal staff, including rangers, and, needless to say, that process has been largely halted in recent months. The best national parks in the U.S. that are open (and closed) Craving some American beauty? Essential Tips. For a genteel take on mountain biking, cycle the 45 miles of carriage roads, which hug hillsides and reveal majestic sea views.Discover the best things to do in Maine, NOTE: The summit of Kilauea, backcountry and campgrounds are closed.Encompassing two of the world’s most active volcanoes, this Big Island treasure is constantly changing. Check their site to see updates on closures. Canyonlands National Park, Utah: Re-opening May 29. Campgrounds and backcountry camping closed. Permits can be obtained by self registration outside the visitor center; canyoneering routes are open (with a permit), except for all routes in Shinob, Burro, Cottonwood, and FiveMile canyons. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best national parks in the USA because of its awe-inspiring mountains. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: South Rim areas opened May 15-18 for day-use temporarily. The park features a dense rainforest and unique fauna like the elephant, southern white rhinoceros, hippopotamus, eland, Cape buffalo, crocodiles, and more. Discover the best national parks in the U.S. that you have to check off your bucket list. , takes up 275 square miles of breathtaking landscape in New Mexico. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming: Hiking, fishing, road access now open. Its most noticeable feature: miles of undulating dunes made of blindingly white gypsum crystals which were formed 10,000 years when shallows sea that had existed for millions of years dried up, leaving the gypsum behind. On land, beaches reveal wolf tracks and trails wind through spruce-hemlock rainforest, crossing paths with black bears or moose. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah: Backcountry camping and canyoneering routes (with exceptions) throughout the park available with permit. Aside from the desert climate and sweeping natural beauty, there's something you'll notice pretty quickly upon arriving in Joshua Tree: Things to do abound here, whether it's hiking and climbing or wildflower sightseeing. 7 Things to Do in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. All national parks which do not have a gated entrance and entry fee will be open from the start of level three. Towering 7,000 feet above the valley floor, the Teton Range welcomes more than two million people a year. Same here. Park superintendents and state government officials interpret health data and set up guidelines for each park, so the potential for confusion and a bit of chaos at parks is certainly high. Backcountry permits available May 30. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Your email address will not be published. Yes, South African National Parks (SANParks) announced its decision to close all its tourism facilities to the public with effect from 25 March 2020 in support of the nation-wide lockdown to combat the spread of the COVID 19 (coronavirus) epidemic as declared by President Cyril Ramaphosa on … Membership is valid from date of purchase for 365 days and is available for an individual, couple or family, as well as international guests. For the latest news on a particular park, check out the National Park System. Ready to explore this glorious country of ours? If snow isn’t your thing, don’t worry. Whether you’re into chilling out, snapping sweet views, rafting, cross-country skiing or just about anything else you can do in the fresh air, these spots have you covered. This bizarre moonscape was created millions of years ago, when ash deposits and erosion sculpted sedimentary rock into rippled peaks. You can visit the park on a day trip or plan a Joshua Tree camping trip and stay awhile. , Acadia National Park in Maine, among many other attractions). NOTE: The South, East, West, North and Northeast Entrances are open.Fun fact: America’s first national park is bigger than Rhode Island and has been a jewel in the NPS's crown since 1872. Take in America's greatest national parks through Google Earth. Spanning 1,200 square miles, Yosemite offers activities ranging from child-friendly to extreme. And a new study, which we’ll cover in greater detail later this week, was just released that shows millions of Americans are planning road trips to national parks this summer, eager for outdoor life to return to normal. Same here. Critters are everywhere in Yellowstone; geysers spurt regularly; sulphurous lakes bubble and boil; and massive waterfalls glint in the sun. Massive granite slopes like Half Dome and El Capitan dominate the landscape, taunting rock-climbers. Established in 1910, Montana's vast gem—it takes up more than one million acres—is older than the national park system itself and boasts one. The best national parks in the U.S. that are open (and closed), Ready to explore this glorious country of ours? Either way, you'll discover that for what at first glance seems like a monochromatic swath of rock, there's more going on here than meets the eye in its, and whitewater rafting to your heart's desire. Thanks for subscribing! Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming: Re-opening May 22, though visitor center and campground will remain closed. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (PARTIALLY OPEN), 4. Campgrounds closed. Look for elk, mountain lions and condors along the way, plus the 1,000 species of plants that survive in this semi-arid desert. NOTE: The South Entrance is open. And as always, practice social distancing and wear a mask if you visit any of the opened parks below. Yes, the USA has its huge cities and historic towns, but the vast majority of the country still consists of rugged mountain ranges, empty deserts and deep forests. NOTE: Yosemite is now open, but day passes are required for entry. Fruita Campground to open June 2. Though long a National Monument, White Sands was elevated to park status in December 2019. been a jewel in the NPS's crown since 1872. Choose a walking route to meet your fitness level and keep an eye out in the woodland – this is one of the few places in England where you can still spot red squirrels. America's national parks also offer great getaways to escape winter. Paddlers dip into lakes and rivers, drivers cruise the dramatic Tioga Road, and day hikers walk by sequoias and canyons. An Annual National Park Pass will save you money if you plan on visiting multiple parks. The visitors center is open and there is winter camping at Devil’s Garden Campground. Climbing also not yet available. RECOMMENDED: Travel in the USA: What can I and should I do? As long as they stay hydrated, the park’s 800,000 annual visitors find the Badlands fascinating to explore. Will visitor services be available? And if you’re so inclined, you can rent plastic sleds to slide down them. Visitor centers and group campsites still, however, closed. Northumberland is the least populated of England’s national parks, covering a vast 405 sq miles. You don’t have to try hard to get away from America’s urbanity and the time-pressured stress that comes with city life. Discover the best things to do in New Mexico. Black Canyon National Park, Colorado: Most roads open, campgrounds on North and South Rims closed. Which parks are open? So it’s fair to expect skeleton crews at many parks, and a lack of visitor amenities. Boaters often spot humpback whales, sea otters, puffins or bald eagles perched on icebergs. Montana and Idaho entrances not yet open. Nestled within the mountains are glaciers, alpine lakes and fields of larkspur and lupines. Best National Parks to visit in winter. Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Vicente Villamon, Aside from the desert climate and sweeping natural beauty, there's something you'll notice pretty quickly upon arriving in, Joshua Tree: Things to do abound here, whether it's hiking and climbing or wildflower sightseeing. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina: Most sections of park to open May 22. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Several of the lodges in Yellowstone National Park, for example, close for the winter although it is still possible to find lodging in the park. Its most noticeable feature: miles of undulating dunes made of blindingly white gypsum crystals which were formed 10,000 years when shallows sea that had existed for millions of years dried up, leaving the gypsum behind. Majestic landscapes like you have never seen before can be found this time of the year. Time Out is a registered trademark of Time Out America LLC. All rights reserved. Campgrounds remain closed. Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri: Guides and outfitters allowed for river trips, provided they adhere to health guidelines. Some areas require use permits to enter. Winter celebrations should include the beginning of America's National Park System upon the protection of this park in March 1872. Limestone caverns, dripping stalactites and gypsum formations span 400 miles and are home to 130 species of wildlife. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: Wyoming gates re-opened May 18. At night, the pitch-black sky reveals 7,500 stars and a clear view of the Milky Way; telescopes provide close-ups of moons and planets.Discover the best things to do in South Dakota, America’s newest national park, White Sands, takes up 275 square miles of breathtaking landscape in New Mexico. Backcountry camping available with permit starting May 27. Yosemite National Park, California: Closed, potential to open in July. And you can’t do much better than hitting up the best national parks in the U.S. during an epic road trip or camping adventure. The park is also a biosphere reserve that rivals the Galapagos for its wealth of rare native species, such as Hawaiian honeycreepers and hawksbill sea turtles. More than 2,000 red sandstone arches fill this park’s 76,519 acres, the greatest density in the world. If you’re planning to venture to an open park, there will be homework. Plus, don’t be surprised if you spot buffalo wandering right down the center divider of the two-lane road that connects the park. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: Main park road and all viewpoints to Rainbow Point open as are trails in Bryce Amphitheater area.