Father’s Day is coming up and one of the best ways to spend a day with your outdoorsy dad is outside. And what better place than a National Park? The US has 59 National Parks that each offer a different variety of things to do and see.
Each one is unique in its own way, but here are 5 National Parks that would make for a great Father’s Day trip this year.
Denali National Park, AK
Alaska is The Last Frontier and is utterly pristine. The wild and rugged landscape remain untouched in some areas, including Denali National Park. If you want to go beyond 15 miles into this park, you have to have a hiking, camping, or backpacking permit. Very few people venture beyond mile 15, but if you do, and you should, you’ll see what makes this park so epic.
Acadia National Park, ME
The west usually gets all the attention, but spots in the east are worth your consideration as well. Acadia National Park in Maine is one of those places with its mountains and rugged coastline. The park stretches for miles along Maine’s coastline and holds an array of things to see and discover with every visit.
Grand Teton National Park, WY
Mountains that scrape the sky are form the beautiful and ever-present backdrop at Grand Teton National Park. The park to the north, Yellowstone, often overshadows this beauty. But when you come here and see how wild this place is, you’ll be planning more trips here after Father’s Day.
Shenandoah National Park, VA
There’s a terrific park within a couple of hours drive from Washington D.C. The Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park is a beautiful drive, but what’s off the drive is what’s really mesmerizing. All the hikes and waterfalls are worth the drive from the city. And if you’re feeling adventurous you can also hop on the Appalachian Trail from this park.
Volcano National Park, HI
This is one of the hardest parks to gain access to due to location on the Big Island of Hawaii. Just by it’s name you know what you’re going to see here: Volcano National Park. Visit this park to see lava and gain a better understanding of how the Hawaiian Islands were formed. And if you want some epic views, come here at night to see the magma exploding in the dark.