10 national parks you should visit now; why sober tourism is trending

Where to go, what to see, how to avoid crowds, where to pitch your tent, and more  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  

 

NATIONAL PARK GUIDES VIEW ONLINE

NATIONAL PARK GUIDES

EMERGE

This month's travel inspirations: It's National Park Week, and we've got you covered on which parks to visit, what landmarks to see, how to avoid crowds, where to pitch your tent, and more. Plus: tips for visiting Northern Ireland, how to travel while sober, and hiking at the edge of the world.

PHOTOGRAPH BY BABAK TAFRESHI, NAT GEO IMAGE LIBRARY Some of the world's most incredible landmarks are at these U.S. national parks From the world's largest canyon to the tallest living tree to the longest known cave system, there are amazing natural wonders throughout the U.S.—and 12 of them just happen to be in America's national parks. THE 12 LANDMARKS A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO U.S. FEDERAL LANDS: National parks, monuments, historic sites—what's the difference? +

PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL MELFORD, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ AVOID THE CROWDS‌ ‌ ‌  The 10 least-visited U.S. national parks Get off the beaten path at these under-the-radar wilderness areas. SEE THE LIST PHOTOGRAPH BY MACDUFF EVERTON, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ AVOID THE CROWDS‌ ‌ ‌  The 10 best beaches in U.S. national parks These are far from the tourist traps of popular oceanfront destinations. SEE THE LIST

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JONATHAN IRISH Can't decide which national park to go to? Here are all 63. From massive glaciers to sun-soaked beaches, national parks offer some of America's wildest and most iconic landscapes. See all 63 of them in one place—then let us help you decide where to go. SEE THE PHOTOS SEE OUR NATIONAL PARK GUIDES: Get ideas on where to go, what to do, and how to get there +

Other national park adventures to consider:

• A new Gettysburg museum tells the harrowing stories of the people who lived there • This U.S. national park above the Arctic Circle is an adventurer's dream • This stargazing road trip offers world-class night sky views • Hike through 500 million years of history in U.S. national parks

DID YOU KNOW? At certain national parks, you can make a reservation to avoid long wait times. Here's what you need to know about timed entry passes.  ››

NORTHERN IRELAND, 'DERRY GIRLS'-STYLE

PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL FAITH, AFP/GETTY ENZUELA, AFP/GETTY IMAGES Before the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland might have been among the top places not to visit. Long characterized by the "Troubles"—a 30-year period of sectarian violence—the region is finding a new way to tell its story through the popular Netflix show Derry Girls and other pop culture touchstones. WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU GO

PAID CONTENT FOR GMC

NAT GEO CREATIVEWORKS Scout Big Bend National Park With Filipe DeAndrade Big Bend National Park in Texas is a paradise for wildlife lovers, but it’s not always easy finding animals in the park due to its staggering size and rugged terrain. Join Nat Geo Photographer Filipe DeAndrade on a thrilling adventure as he scouts for migratory birds and other wildlife in Big Bend across river valleys, desert, and mountains. READ MORE

HOW TO PLAN A CAMPING TRIP

PHOTOGRAPH BY IPPEI NAOI, GETTY IMAGES Whether you’re new to camping or usually prefer resort beds to sleeping bags, these tips—from where to camp to what to bring and how to be safe—will help ease you into close encounters with nature that will bring discovery, joy, and a deeper connection to the natural world. HOW TO SLEEP UNDER THE STARS

TREND ALERT: SOBER TOURISM

PHOTOGRAPH BY KRISTA SCHLUETER, THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX Traveling sober (that's a mocktail, above) is a growing trend, especially among millennials and Generation Z, who drink less than prior generations. Here are some expert tips on how sober people can stay happy and alcohol free on the road, plus how to vacation with non-drinking friends or family members. TIPS FOR TRAVELING SOBER

6 THRILLING HIKING ROUTES

1. This thrilling Chilean trek is the world's southernmost hike 2. Discover Maya history along Mexico's first thru-hike 3. How to walk across San Francisco in a day 4. This Himalayan hike skims the clouds—without Everest crowds 5. Hike through 7 European countries on this epic trail 6. Hiking the wild highlands of Asturias, Spain's bear country

SHOP DONATE SUBSCRIBE TRAVEL

READ OUR LATEST STORIES

SHOP

DONATE

SUBSCRIBE

TRAVEL

VIEW ONLINE Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply. This email was sent to: ignoble.experiment@arconati.us. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored. This email contains an advertisement from: National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences. Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies. © 2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.