MAIN Travel USA US National Parks

While Europe and the rest of the world can often boast of their ancient Roman ruins, great cathedrals or centuries-old cultures, America can be proud of their place in history as the innovator of the national park.

Often described as "America's best invention", the US was the first nation on earth to set aside large swaths of natural wilderness for public use, foreshadowing the modern green movement that has been at the forefront of preserving national parks for future generations.

Since the National Park Service first opened its doors in 1916 it has managed each of the United States' national parks, now numbering 58 in all, coast to coast.

Most popular US national parks by attendance

Although lots of Americans will wax poetic over a favorite national park, the numbers truly tell the story.

Just up ahead, go on a virtual tour of some of the country's most visited national parks — including a trip down south to the Great Smoky Mountains (9 million visitors per year), out west to the Grand Canyon (5 million), as well as "Down East" to one of the smallest national parks, Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor ME, which continues to boast 3 million visitors annually:

Getting In

The first stop for many travelers to a US national park is the main visitor center. Here you can pay any applicable entrance fees, pick up maps or get driving directions, schedule a ranger-led walk or tour, or reserve last-minute lodging.

In many national park visitor centers, guests can also stop to watch videos or full sit-down movie theater productions (some on giant IMAX screens) to help them get acquainted with the park. Snacks, rest rooms and phones are also usually available.

Many parks charge an entrance fee ranging from $3 to $25, but frequent visitors may want to take advantage of a one-price-pays-all ticket that can be purchased online. Known as the "America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass," it costs $80 for a full year's access to all national parks, as well as recreational areas operated under the USDA Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The pass applies to entry fees only, and camping, backpacking or other fees still apply. For senior citizens 62 or older, the pass is only $10, but must be applied for in person at a national park.

US national parks campgrounds, lodging and hotels

While current feeling runs toward keeping nature areas free from the impact of hotels and lodging, a handful (most notably Grand Teton and Yellowstone) still offer luxury accommodations, full service restaurants and other amenities within its borders.

For more rugged adventure travelers, most national parks feature accommodations for tent campers as well as RV campers — with the latter number having recently skyrocketed to more than 2 million per year — as travel-loving baby boomers retire, pack up the RV, and hit the road to see America.

What to see and do inside a national park

With time to spare, travelers might take weeks or months to see and experience all that national parks have to offer. However, for those with limited time, driving loops or specially-designated roads through the park are usually available featuring stops at major attractions, hiking areas, and scenic lookouts..

To further limit environmental impact, many of the big parks will also provide shuttle bus service that takes guests through some of the most popular areas and scenic views for free.

Besides camping, backpacking, mountain climbing, fishing, horseback riding, hiking and other adventure travel, the parks are "naturals" for family-friendly excursions. These might include self-guided drives, fall foliage tours, nature watching, birdwatching, bicycling, picnicking, and photo safaris.

Or, you can simply enjoy the solitude.

Welcome to the US National Parks — where visitors can commune with nature, take in the fresh air, bask in abundant sunshine, or revel in spectacular 360-degree views of America the Beautiful ....

More about US national parks around the web:

U.S. National Park Service - The official site featuring a complete travel guide with facts & information on entry fees, lodging, news & events, ranger-led activities, photos, maps, and driving directions to every national park in America.

US National Parks.net - A mega travel brochure to every US national park in the country browseable by name, location, or subject matter including photos, maps and directions, and information on-site lodging, campgrounds or area hotels.

The National Parks: Americas Best Idea | PBS - The companion site to the Ken Burn's public television special with a complete history of the national parks system with focus on the most storied and spectacular including Acadia, Biscayne, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, Yosemite and more with photos, video, downloadable wallpaper.

U.S. National Parks - National Geographic - Eye-popping photos, slideshows, videos, feature stories, and facts and information about every major park in the nation.

Geology of National Parks - Not as dry as it sounds, with spectacular 3D and photographic tours, related news and information resources.

also see in Go Green -> Conservation | Ecotourism

also see in Travel -> Planning a Road Trip