NPS

Outside visits every state in the U.S. to find the best parks—national or state—in every region. What park made the cut in your state?

Grand Canyon National Park has some of the best views in the United States. Here’s how to make the most out of a visit, whether its hiking, boating, biking, camping, or so much more.

Those iconic bulbous boulders, lucid skies, and namesake trees are mere backdrops to a Californian desert playground filled with jaw-dropping vistas, dynamic hiking trails, and that famous grippy rock. Here’s everything you need to know to explore it.

Here’s how to make the most out of a visit to one of the wildest places in the U.S., from kayaking to birding to fishing and so much more

Congress approves Sams as NPS director, Canadian cops raid indigenous protest, and Steamboat locals pray for snow

Some of the most popular national-park sites come alive this season, offering vibrant hikes, cool camping weather, and amazing wildlife spotting

The National Park Service hasn’t had a director in four years. The Biden administration is trying to fix that but faces a host of major challenges.

Many major national parks implemented new reservation systems intended to give visitors a more positive experience by decreasing gridlock, parking issues, and long lines for public services. But are they actually helping or making it more difficult to visit a park?

At the most recently declared national park, the adventure starts and ends with the 1,000-foot-deep New River Gorge. The 73,000-acre stretch of rugged canyon in West Virginia is home to Class IV+ whitewater rafting, some of the best rock climbing on the eastern seaboard, purpose-built singletrack, and more than 100 miles of hiking trails that capture this dramatic part of the country.

We found the best places to pitch your tent in all 50 states, so you don’t have to.

The nonprofit Native Skywatchers has spent more than a decade collecting and preserving Indigenous star knowledge. Now organizations like NASA and the NPS are joining the movement.

I gave my 12-year-olds the Rand McNally on our 300-mile drive from Atlanta to the South Carolina coast to impart the joys of reading an old-school physical map

Drawing parallels with the Galápagos Islands, this marine wonderland is a similarly diverse treasure found just off the Southern California coast, home to 2,000-plus species, some 150 of which can be found nowhere else

If you want a swath of stunning wilderness all to yourself, book a trip to Lake Clark, says our 62 Parks columnist of the 37th stop on her quest to visit all the parks in the U.S.

In ‘Camping Grounds,’ Phoebe S.K. Young reminds us that sleeping outdoors is far more than just a recreational hobby

Here’s how President Biden plans to address climate change, pollution, and public lands in the greatest detail we’ve seen so far

Mountaineers come to summit this Alaskan park’s namesake 20,310-foot peak, the highest in North America. Our 62 Parks columnist set out on a mountain bike to see the stunning terrain and bountiful wildlife during the 36th stop of her quest to visit every national park in the U.S.

From Maine to Alaska, we’ve done all the research for you to camp in style while visiting America’s best idea this summer

A wild place—and an American ideal—are heading for destruction. We can stop it now.

From surfing the coast of Maine to exploring slot canyons in Utah, these adventures will make the whole family happy

From miles of accessible trails to nearby boarding services to dog safety, these are the best (and worst) parks to visit with your best friend

From a trail in Isle Royale National Park with spectacular views to a hike that hits four 6,000-foot peaks in 30 miles, these are our favorite classic routes in the U.S.

Put this Alaska gem high on your bucket list for epic backpacking, rafting, and mountaineering, says our 62 Parks columnist about the 34th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park

Gage Lorentz was pulled over for speeding on a dirt road in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Minutes later he lay on the ground, dead from a point-blank shot to the heart. How did a trivial traffic stop lead to his death?

This 76,000-acre wonderland is less a park and more a sandstone sculpture garden of sunset-hued arches and domes that look like they were carved by some alien magic. Here’s how to outsmart the crowds.

Key beta on snagging a ticket to your favorite park this year

Not much tops seeing the the massive glaciers and vast empty wilderness in Glacier Bay—that’s the verdict of our 62 Parks Traveler about the 33rd stop on her quest to visit every national park in the U.S.

And how to stay safe in them this summer

A visit to this northwestern Wyoming park, which is as thrilling for wildlife watchers as it is for climbers, hikers, and backcountry skiers, comes with a warning: it’ll be the beginning of a lifelong love affair

Thanks to their proximity, these Airbnbs book up fast. Make your summer reservation now.

A new ruling calls into question previous regulations and norms around film and photography on these spaces

Investigators, family, and friends are still trying to close the case of Paul Fugate, a naturalist at Arizona’s Chiricahua National Monument who vanished without a trace in 1980. What keeps them motivated to stick with a mystery that may be unsolvable?

From a new route that provides access to some of British Columbia’s best surf spots to a 1,400-plus-mile path that will connect all of Italy’s national parks, these aren’t your average walking journeys

There’s nothing quite like swimming in Oregon’s Crater Lake for the first time, an experience our 62 Parks Traveler enjoyed at her 32nd park on her quest to visit every national park in the U.S.

With cruise traffic set to be at an all-time low this summer, you’ll be able to have the 49th state all to yourself

Snag some of the best spots to pitch a tent during peak season

The least visited park in the lower 48 has no roads, no cars, and empty hiking trails, and it’s home to moose, wolves, part of Lake Superior, and beautiful forests. It’s the 29th stop on our 62 Parks Traveler’s quest to visit every park in the U.S.

Northern California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park is an undiscovered hiker’s dream, and it’s the 31st stop on our 62 Parks Traveler’s quest to visit every park in the U.S.

With funding from the federal government, Zion and other parks are swapping in electric shuttle buses and adding charging stations for visitors’ electric vehicles, putting the park system on the cutting edge of green technology

Vast mountains, majestic waterfalls, and a hungry bear are some of what our 62 Parks traveler encountered at her 30th park on her quest to visit every park in the U.S.

Think you already know everything about our nation’s most iconic park? Think again. There’s so much beyond its famed Yosemite Valley, from seldom visited waterfalls to the underappreciated backcountry beyond Tuolumne Meadows.

Forget visiting the app store every time you visit a national park. This new, free release provides all kinds of maps, must-hike trails, food recommendations, and more for all of its 423 units.

Load up the car to see snow-covered volcanoes, cool desert landscapes, and empty beaches without any of summer's big crowds

This Maine destination is a place of rugged coastal wonders and an immersion in Down East culture

From a glass-domed train to downhill skiing, these are some of our favorite adventures in our national parks. Bonus: they get you off the beaten path, too.

Welcome to Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes and home to the Boundary Waters. Our 62 Parks Traveler found her own private island at her 28th stop on her quest to visit every national park in the U.S.

From day one, the new administration has showed itself to be in favor of protecting the wild spaces and species we love

Our advice on which park to visit each month of the year to see peak wildlife, foliage, and flower blooms—and to avoid the crowds

Wildlife and endless grasslands to explore in a remote corner of North Dakota made the 27th park on our 62 Parks columnist's list a must-visit destination

These 11 beloved destinations make for ideal cold-weather trips, from soaking in hot springs at Big Bend to cross-country skiing at Rocky Mountain

There's no better way to celebrate these holidays than by exploring our public lands

The underrated West Virginia adventure hub is finally getting the recognition it deserves

The colder months are the perfect time to visit national parks, with fewer crowds and endless adventure. Stay at one of these dreamy base camps.

With more than 200 miles of trails, there's a lot to explore in this iconic Wyoming attraction. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 25th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park.

Ten thousand geothermal features make this hot spot a must-see. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 24th stop on her journey to visit every national park in the U.S.

Our 63 Parks Traveler meets bison and sees surreal geography at this South Dakota stop, the 23rd visit on her journey to see every U.S. national park

With more than 350 miles of trails, 124 peaks, and 147 lakes, this must-see Colorado destination is a wilderness lover's paradise. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 22nd stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park.

Our 62 Parks Traveler explores miles of hiking trails and one of the largest remaining mixed-grass prairie ecosystems in the country at South Dakota's Wind Cave, the 21st stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park.

This pastoral stretch of the Southern Appalachian mountains in Virginia is packed with hiking, fishing, road biking, and other adventures—if you know where to look

Finding a bit of quiet is harder than ever

Explore the dwellings and terrain of the Ancestral Pueblo people at this western Colorado park. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 20th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park.

The diverse landscape of Great Sand Dunes National Park features 700-foot-tall mounds of sand, grasslands, alpine peaks, and a creek to splash in. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 19th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park.

Scrambles, climbs, and spectacular scenery: it's our 63 Parks Traveler’s 18th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year

While most bristlecone pines are between 2,000 and 3,500 years old, a special few can live to be nearly 5,000—and they're easily found in this area of Nevada. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 17th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year.

There are hundreds of scenic trails for you and your BFF to explore together

With more than a hundred 11,000-foot peaks, five glaciers, and some 150 alpine lakes, Colorado's most popular park has served as an idyllic backdrop for some of our writer's bigger life moments: it's where he proposed to his wife, where his kids earned their first Junior Ranger badges, and where he said goodbye to someone special. While you'll be among 4.7 million visitors who visit every year, there's something personal to be found here.

See 300-foot-tall redwoods, banana slugs, and more in this dreamlike landscape. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 16th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year.

Serene places to pitch a tent—where it's just you and the ocean

From far-flung mesas to rainy weather, our travel columnist managed to avoid the bustle at one of the Utah's most popular hiking destinations. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 15th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year.

The National Park Service has abdicated responsibility for visitor safety, compromising local mandates and leaving staff and vendors to fend for themselves

View the park's stunning sandstone sculptures. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 13th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year.

After months of trespassing and hiding from rangers, two hikers completed the Appalachian Trail in June. Their sagas raise questions about what it means to be outdoors in the United States right now.

To mark the start of his sixties, Will Turner swam, biked, and ran 14,765 miles, many of which took place through iconic national parks and public lands. Here are the most stunning photos from his "races."

Seek out slot canyons and sandstone cliffs at this lesser known park in Utah. It's our 62 Parks Traveler's 12th stop on her journey to visit every U.S. national park in a year.

Emily B. Martin's new novel, 'Sunshield,' is inspired by American landscapes and explores how individuals can impact their environment

Thirty-nine out of 62 park units have begun phased reopening. Several others never closed for the pandemic. Here's how to stay safe if you visit them.