{"id":85299,"date":"2025-02-25T14:53:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T14:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/?p=85299"},"modified":"2025-02-25T17:13:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T17:13:34","slug":"us-national-parks-what-you-need-to-know-about-visiting-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/inspiration\/us-national-parks-what-you-need-to-know-about-visiting-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"US National Parks: what you need to know about visiting in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-sidebar-content\" data-ad=\"first\"><div id=\"wak-acf-block-641382\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-content-layout-default wak-acf-block-advert wak-ad-first\" data-placement-id=\"63374\" data-advert-visible=\"1\">\n    <style type=\"text\/css\">.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-advert .wak-advert-container{display:flex;justify-content:center;width:100%}<\/style>\n    <div class=\"wak-advert-container\">\n        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ul+h2,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy ul+h3,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy ul+h4,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy ul+h5,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy ul+h6{margin-top:40px}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h4,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h6{line-height:normal}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy dd,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy dt,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy li,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy ol,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy p,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy span,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy ul{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:2.125rem}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy a{font-size:1.125rem!important;line-height:2.125rem!important}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h1,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h2,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h3,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h4,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h5,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h6{margin:0;padding:0;word-break:break-word}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h1{font-family:Noe Display;font-size:3.75rem;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:4.0625rem}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h2{font-family:Noe Display;font-size:3rem;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:3.25rem}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h3{font-family:Noe Display;font-size:2.25rem;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:2.5rem}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h4{font-family:Noe Display;font-size:1.75rem;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:2.0625rem}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h5{font-family:Noe Display;font-size:1.25rem;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:1.5625rem}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content .wak-copy h6{font-family:Jost;font-size:.75rem;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:.08313rem;line-height:.875rem}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content+.wak-acf-block-article-image,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content+.wak-acf-block-copy-content,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-copy-content+.wak-acf-block-image-carousel{margin-top:80px}<\/style>    <div class=\"wak-copy wak-body-standard-text\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe best idea we ever had.\u201d\u00a0That\u2019s how American writer and environmentalist <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wallace Stegner described the USA\u2019s national park system back in 1983. Decades on, the statement rings true.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since 1916, the National Park Service (NPS) has protected America\u2019s greatest wildernesses, from the titanic peaks of the Rockies to the kaleidoscopic hot springs of Yellowstone. Skyscraping sequoias, cacti-stitched deserts, mangrove-filled wetlands, rocky coastlines, waterfalls, lakes, badlands \u2013\u00a0the mind-boggling diversity of the USA\u2019s landscapes is on display across the country\u2019s national park sites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More recently<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the NPS has been making efforts to incorporate Indigenous voices into its storytelling. Most national parks exist on land that once belonged to Native peoples. We\u2019ve seen new visitor centres focused on Native storytelling and land management plans formed in conjunction with local tribes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But the National Park Service as we know it is under threat. Last week, the Trump administration made sweeping cuts to the NPS workforce, with around 1,000 full-time employees losing their jobs. The slashes affected everyone from fee collectors to cultural interpreters to trail maintenance staff.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of the USA\u2019s most popular national parks have grappled with overtourism in recent years and, as the busy summer season approaches, there are concerns as to how a depleted workforce will cope with ever rising visitor numbers. Individuals have warned about the effects on both the parks\u2019 natural resources and their visitors, citing the possibility of long lines, unmaintained facilities and diminished cultural experiences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National parks are a precious part of the US travel experience and any visit this year should involve careful planning. And as pressure mounts on the USA\u2019s most popular national parks, it\u2019s also worth setting your sights on those with fewer crowds. We share some lesser visited parks that stand up to the big hitters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Six national parks to put on your radar in 2025:<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\n\n    <div id=\"wak-acf-block-206999\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-article-image wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n        <style type=\"text\/css\">.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-article-image{flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-article-image .wak-title{text-align:left;width:100%}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-article-image .wak-title+picture{margin-top:40px}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-article-image .wak-caption{color:gray;margin-top:8px;text-align:right;width:100%}.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-article-image+.wak-acf-block-article-image,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-article-image+.wak-acf-block-copy-content,.wak-acf-block.wak-acf-block-article-image+.wak-acf-block-image-carousel{margin-top:80px}<\/style>        \r\n        <h3 class=\"wak-title wak-h3\">1. North Cascades National Park, Washington <\/h3>\r\n                    \n<picture>\n    <source media=\"(max-width:575px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/north-cascades-national-park-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/north-cascades-national-park-700x470.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(max-width:991px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/north-cascades-national-park-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/north-cascades-national-park-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(min-width:992px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/north-cascades-national-park-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/north-cascades-national-park-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/north-cascades-national-park-350x250.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/north-cascades-national-park-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/north-cascades-national-park-700x470.jpg 2x\" class=\"attachment-85307\" alt=\"North Cascades National Park, Washington, USA\" width=\"350\" height=\"250\"><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>   \r\n        \r\n        <span class=\"wak-caption wak-image-caption-text\">Mighty Mount Shuksan rises within the wilderness of North Cascades National Park (Shutterstock)<\/span>    <\/div>\r\n\n\n<div id=\"wak-acf-block-774657\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-copy-content wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n        <div class=\"wak-copy wak-body-standard-text\"><p><b>An alternative to:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Glacier National Park, Montana<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turquoise lakes, glaciers and crowns of jagged peaks draw around 2.9 million visitors to Montana\u2019s Glacier National Park each year. Yet an average of just 40,000 people per year explore the comparable landscapes of North Cascades in Washington.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just over a two hour drive from buzzing Seattle, North Cascades supports the largest glacial system in the contiguous US, protecting some 300 glaciers. The approachable Cascade Pass Trail plunges day hikers into the alpine wilderness, taking in epic views of the mountains and glaciers along its 12km. Meanwhile, the park\u2019s stirring old-growth forests are best enjoyed on the Fourth of July Pass trail, which also offers intermittent views of lakes and valleys.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\n\n<div id=\"wak-acf-block-374632\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-copy-content wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n        <div class=\"wak-copy wak-body-standard-text\"><blockquote>\n<h4><em><strong>Top tip:<\/strong> This is a remote and rugged environment and, with reduced staffing, it\u2019s more important than ever to follow safety protocols at the USA\u2019s national parks. Stick to trails, be prepared with provisions and appropriate clothing, and keep paper maps for navigation.<\/em><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\n\n    <div class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-sidebar-content\" data-ad=\"in_content_1\"><div id=\"wak-acf-block-482418\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-content-layout-default wak-acf-block-advert wak-ad-in_content_1\" data-placement-id=\"63376\" data-advert-visible=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"wak-advert-container\">\n        \n            <div id=\"div-gpt-ad-63376\">\n                <script>\n                    googletag.cmd.push(() => { \n                        googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-63376'); \n                    });\n                <\/script>\n            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"wak-acf-block-765059\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-article-image wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n                \r\n        <h3 class=\"wak-title wak-h3\">2. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California<\/h3>\r\n                    \n<picture>\n    <source media=\"(max-width:575px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bumpass-hell-lassen-volcanic-national-park-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bumpass-hell-lassen-volcanic-national-park-700x470.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(max-width:991px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bumpass-hell-lassen-volcanic-national-park-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bumpass-hell-lassen-volcanic-national-park-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(min-width:992px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bumpass-hell-lassen-volcanic-national-park-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bumpass-hell-lassen-volcanic-national-park-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bumpass-hell-lassen-volcanic-national-park-350x250.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bumpass-hell-lassen-volcanic-national-park-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bumpass-hell-lassen-volcanic-national-park-700x470.jpg 2x\" class=\"attachment-85313\" alt=\"A boardwalk in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California\" width=\"350\" height=\"250\"><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>   \r\n        \r\n        <span class=\"wak-caption wak-image-caption-text\">Boardwalk trails wiggle through Lassen Volcanic National Park (Shutterstock)<\/span>    <\/div>\r\n\n\n<div id=\"wak-acf-block-338103\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-copy-content wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n        <div class=\"wak-copy wak-body-standard-text\"><p><b>An alternative to: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yellowstone was the USA\u2019s very first national park, protected way back in 1872, years before the National Park Service itself was established. Fast-forward more than 150 years and the park \u2013\u00a0known for its bubbling mud pots, spurting geysers and eye-popping Grand Prismatic Spring \u2013\u00a0is consistently among the top ten most visited parks annually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s no surprise, of course \u2013 but did you know that another geothermal wonderland with vastly fewer visitors hides in California? The Golden State\u2019s Lassen Volcanic National Park welcomes less than half a million visitors each year, meaning you might have its fumarole-fringed boardwalks all to yourself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jewel of the park\u2019s trail system is the Lassen Peak Trail, a challenging 8km roundtrip that ascends a soaring volcano and rewards weary hikers with epic vistas over the surroundings. Other top routes climb jet-back cinder cones or pass by peak-fringed lakes. For an alternative adventure, come in winter, when a blanket of snow gives the volcanic landscape extra drama.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\n\n    <div id=\"wak-acf-block-149129\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-article-image wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n                \r\n        <h3 class=\"wak-title wak-h3\">3. Congaree National Park, South Carolina <\/h3>\r\n                    \n<picture>\n    <source media=\"(max-width:575px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/congaree-national-park-south-carolina-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/congaree-national-park-south-carolina-700x470.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(max-width:991px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/congaree-national-park-south-carolina-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/congaree-national-park-south-carolina-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(min-width:992px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/congaree-national-park-south-carolina-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/congaree-national-park-south-carolina-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/congaree-national-park-south-carolina-350x250.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/congaree-national-park-south-carolina-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/congaree-national-park-south-carolina-700x470.jpg 2x\" class=\"attachment-85314\" alt=\"Congaree National Park, South Carolina, USA\" width=\"350\" height=\"250\"><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>   \r\n        \r\n        <span class=\"wak-caption wak-image-caption-text\">Boardwalks wind through cypress and tupelo trees in Congaree National Park (Shutterstock)<\/span>    <\/div>\r\n\n\n<div id=\"wak-acf-block-559641\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-copy-content wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n        <div class=\"wak-copy wak-body-standard-text\"><p><b>An alternative to: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everglades National Park, Florida<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 1.5 million acres of mangroves, cypress swamps, pinelands and prairie are protected by Everglades National Park, which sprawls out in the southern reaches of Florida. It\u2019s little wonder that this watery oasis draws so many travellers \u2013 but the quieter Congaree National Park in South Carolina has much of the charm of its Floridian cousin, and far fewer visitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park contains the largest continuous expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in this part of the States. Explore it by hiking along winding boardwalks or taking to the alligator-filled waters on a guided kayak tour. If you want to go it alone, the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail strikes out for 24km, wiggling past bald cypress and tupelo trees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\n\n    <div class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-sidebar-content\" data-ad=\"in_content_2\"><div id=\"wak-acf-block-466695\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-content-layout-default wak-acf-block-advert wak-ad-in_content_2\" data-placement-id=\"63377\" data-advert-visible=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"wak-advert-container\">\n        \n            <div id=\"div-gpt-ad-63377\">\n                <script>\n                    googletag.cmd.push(() => { \n                        googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-63377'); \n                    });\n                <\/script>\n            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"wak-acf-block-902663\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-article-image wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n                \r\n        <h3 class=\"wak-title wak-h3\">4. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado<\/h3>\r\n                    \n<picture>\n    <source media=\"(max-width:575px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/black-canyon-gunnission-national-park-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/black-canyon-gunnission-national-park-700x470.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(max-width:991px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/black-canyon-gunnission-national-park-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/black-canyon-gunnission-national-park-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(min-width:992px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/black-canyon-gunnission-national-park-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/black-canyon-gunnission-national-park-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/black-canyon-gunnission-national-park-350x250.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/black-canyon-gunnission-national-park-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/black-canyon-gunnission-national-park-700x470.jpg 2x\" class=\"attachment-85315\" alt=\"Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado, USA\" width=\"350\" height=\"250\"><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>   \r\n        \r\n        <span class=\"wak-caption wak-image-caption-text\">Dark skies and epic hiking should entice visitors to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Shutterstock)<\/span>    <\/div>\r\n\n\n<div id=\"wak-acf-block-912367\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-copy-content wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n        <div class=\"wak-copy wak-body-standard-text\"><p><b>An alternative to: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mighty Grand Canyon is the most famous in America \u2013 but the southwest has another dramatic ravine that\u2019s worth travelling for.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colorado\u2019s Black Canyon was carved out by the Gunnison River over the course of two million years and today it\u2019s a wonderland of rippling bluffs and spires. It plunges down to more than 800m at some points and winds out for a total of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">77 km.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park is celebrating 10 years as an International Dark Sky Park in 2025 and, typically, there are summertime astronomy programmes (including talks and telescope sessions) and an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Astronomy Festival in September. During the day, you can take in the rocky landscapes on hiking, rock climbing or horse riding adventures \u2013\u00a0or catch them through your window along the 11km South Rim Drive, which reveals a series of soaring overlooks as it ascends through the park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\n\n    <div id=\"wak-acf-block-998485\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-article-image wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n                \r\n        <h3 class=\"wak-title wak-h3\">5. Saguaro National Park, Arizona <\/h3>\r\n                    \n<picture>\n    <source media=\"(max-width:575px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/saguaro-national-park-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/saguaro-national-park-700x470.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(max-width:991px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/saguaro-national-park-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(min-width:992px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/saguaro-national-park-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/saguaro-national-park-350x250.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/saguaro-national-park-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/saguaro-national-park-700x470.jpg 2x\" class=\"attachment-85316\" alt=\"The sun sets over Arizona's Saguaro National Park, USA\" width=\"350\" height=\"250\"><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>   \r\n        \r\n        <span class=\"wak-caption wak-image-caption-text\">The sun sets over Saguaro National Park, near Tucson (Shutterstock)<\/span>    <\/div>\r\n\n\n<div id=\"wak-acf-block-172615\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-copy-content wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n        <div class=\"wak-copy wak-body-standard-text\"><p><b>An alternative to: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joshua Tree National Park, California\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gnarled, spiny yuccas characterise the landscapes of Joshua Tree, which is typically among the USA\u2019s most visited parks year on year. But you\u2019ll also find desert drama aplenty in Saguaro National Park, unfolding around the Arizona city of Tucson, almost 500km to the east.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both the site\u2019s East and West Districts are carpeted in the park\u2019s namesake \u2013 soaring cacti that can reach up to 23m in height. Explore trails lacing through groves of skyscraping saguaros and mesquite trees; cycle the 13km paved <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cactus Forest Loop; and stay for the glittering night skies \u2013\u00a0the park is a designated Urban Night Sky Place. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\n\n    <div class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-sidebar-content\" data-ad=\"in_content_3\"><div id=\"wak-acf-block-854906\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-content-layout-default wak-acf-block-advert wak-ad-in_content_3\" data-placement-id=\"63378\" data-advert-visible=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"wak-advert-container\">\n        \n            <div id=\"div-gpt-ad-63378\">\n                <script>\n                    googletag.cmd.push(() => { \n                        googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-63378'); \n                    });\n                <\/script>\n            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"wak-acf-block-546454\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-article-image wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n                \r\n        <h3 class=\"wak-title wak-h3\">6. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia  <\/h3>\r\n                    \n<picture>\n    <source media=\"(max-width:575px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/new-river-gorge-bridge-west-virginia-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/new-river-gorge-bridge-west-virginia-700x470.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(max-width:991px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/new-river-gorge-bridge-west-virginia-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/new-river-gorge-bridge-west-virginia-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <source media=\"(min-width:992px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/new-river-gorge-bridge-west-virginia-1280x693.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/new-river-gorge-bridge-west-virginia-2560x1386.jpg 2x\">\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/new-river-gorge-bridge-west-virginia-350x250.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/new-river-gorge-bridge-west-virginia-350x250.jpg, https:\/\/www.wanderlustmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/new-river-gorge-bridge-west-virginia-700x470.jpg 2x\" class=\"attachment-85317\" alt=\"New River Gorge Bridge, New River National Park and Preserve, West Virginia\" width=\"350\" height=\"250\"><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>   \r\n        \r\n        <span class=\"wak-caption wak-image-caption-text\">New River Gorge Bridge is a highlight of America\u2019s newest national park (Shutterstock)<\/span>    <\/div>\r\n\n\n<div id=\"wak-acf-block-553730\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-copy-content wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n        <div class=\"wak-copy wak-body-standard-text\"><p><b>An alternative to: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Year on year, Great Smoky Mountains National Park\u00a0is the most visited national park in the USA, drawing in travellers with its forested mountains, scenic drives and black bears. Yet there\u2019s another Southern Appalachian park that\u2019s just as rich in mountain vistas, but attracts much thinner crowds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head to West Virginia\u2019s New River Gorge National Park \u2013 the newest site in the system \u2013 for hikes through rippling forested peaks and views over a gaping canyon. The winding New River is the second oldest in the world and it\u2019s the location for some of the USA\u2019s best white-water rafting. Consider timing your trip for Bridge Day: a one-day festival that celebrates the soaring <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New River Gorge Bridge and sees BASE jumpers plunge from its steel expanse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\n\n<div id=\"wak-acf-block-951645\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-copy-content wak-content-layout-default\">\r\n        <div class=\"wak-copy wak-body-standard-text\"><h3><b>Other ways you can help<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalparks.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Park Foundation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the official charitable partner of the National Park Service. It\u2019s possible to donate to the National Park Foundation to aid everything from conservation work to education and engagement programmes. There are also many dedicated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/subjects\/partnerships\/become-a-friend.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018national park friends\u2019 groups<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who also welcome support as they work to protect their local site.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wak-non-acf-block wak-non-acf-block-core-paragraph\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"wak-acf-block wak-acf-block-sidebar-content\" data-ad=\"last\"><div id=\"wak-acf-block-630428\" class=\"wak-acf-block wak-content-layout-default wak-acf-block-advert wak-ad-last\" data-placement-id=\"63380\" data-advert-visible=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"wak-advert-container\">\n        \n            <div id=\"div-gpt-ad-63380\">\n                <script>\n                    googletag.cmd.push(() => { \n                        googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-63380'); \n                    });\n                <\/script>\n            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As staff cuts put pressure on the USA\u2019s most popular national parks, we share the lesser-known sites that are worthy of your attention\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":496,"featured_media":85304,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"28754,13739,81860,13724,79284,81494","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"elementor-post":[],"inspiration":[18],"seo-content-tag":[56,55],"seo-continent":[],"seo-country":[],"coauthors":[332],"class_list":["post-85299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","inspiration-outdoors-walking","seo-content-tag-nature-wildlife","seo-content-tag-outdoors-walking"],"acf":{"destination":[245],"header_video":"","header_image_caption":"","thumbnail_video":"","thumbnail_video_image":"","promoter_image":"","promoter_name":"","promoter_url":"","wak_author_name":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.4 - 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