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That you explored your original state solo, taking a cross-countryroad trip with friends, or launching into afamily holidays Halfway across the country, visiting one of AmericaNational parks is a great way to get fresh air in the big open while amazing natural beauty and fauna all around you.

So, it is logical that, while travels resume this year, many Americans are looking forward to getting out and exploring more of these protected lands. According to a2020 survey Commissioned by the National Park Service, most of the survey respondents said that the last national parks they had visited wereYellowstone National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, andYosemite National Park.

But the truth is that there isthen Many other jewels hidden in the United States which are ripe for the adventure - and some of them in which you can crossJust a day. So, if you are looking to beat the tourist crowds while exploring nature, be sure to add the US national parks following your travel route. And then don't missThe 5 best beaches that are American national parks.

Known for its breathtaking multicolored cliffs, its isolated white sandy beaches and unusual sandstone formations, this Michigan National Park is technically a lake, which you can either explore on foot via hiking loops, a cruise by boat or a guided kayak visit.

"There is really something for everyone - families can enjoy the many beaches and easy walks in waterfalls, while couples and solo travelers can get lost in beauty on a path or in a kayak", explains Rebecca Gade Sawicki, founder of the Vegan Travel BlogVegetables abroad. "While summer is an optimal moment to visit, in winter, some stunts turn into spectacular ice caves that visitors can explore safely."

Do not miss the Twelvemile Beach Trail, which winds through a breathtaking white birch forest, and the leftover shipwrecks left around the shores near the 19th century headlight of the Sand Point.

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Imagine an epic sand of 30 square miles with massive mounds to climb ... and it is roughly this Colorado park in a word.

"Flanked by damaged peaks to the east, the park offers the unique experience of climbing massive sand dunes as well as more traditional hiking options in the surrounding mountains", explains Chris Heckmann, creator of the blogAround the world with me. "The hike in the sand dunes is an incredibly difficult job, but if you can go to some of the upper dunes, you will be rewarded with impressive views."

If you are particularly ambitious, try hiking on the largest summit at 750 feet.

"After the sandboard and sledding in some of the highest dunes in North America, children can cool off at Medrano Creek," explains Elise Armitage, writer and founder behindWhat is the fab. "The park is an excellent place to camp in summer while temperatures are cooling at night."

Pro advice: if you can, Shaun Hammond, owner and author ofThe travel denial, advises to stay for impressive sunsets with dark mountain ranges in the distance.

You would find it difficult to find a more family park than this, explains Kristin Secor, owner and author ofWorld on wheels.

"This park is often overlooked by its neighbors in southern Dakota and even Wyoming," she saidBetter life. "What is special are the cannonball formations that are found in the northern unit. These formations are done when mineral water infiltrates the buttons and deposits minerals in gaps in sediments . The minerals and the sediments combine and form a nucleus, which then creates an appearance in cannonball. While the pimples are expanding, these barrel balls remain intact and become visible for visitors. "

The park has two sections: the northern and southern units. According to Secor, the southern unit obtains much more pedestrian traffic, but each deserves a visit to see the magnificent Buttes badlands.

"Another special thing about Theodore Roosevelt National Park is wildlife," added Secor. "You can find bison, wild mustangs, Big Horn sheep and meadow dogs in the park. We were lucky to see all these incredible animals, with the culmination being the wild horses."

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Jennie Flaming, chief of the adventure forOrdinary adventures Calls this Northern California park a "mini yellowstone, but even fresher".

"He has bubbling pots, hot springs and vibrating blue lakes but, unlike Yellowstone, you will not have to fight the crowd to see them in all their glory," adds Megan Jones, founder ofTraveler's Elixir.

The trails are quite manageable, whatever the hiking experience you have, according to Flaming.

Jones notes that the highest mountain of LaSsen Volcanic Park, Lassen Peak, is in fact an active volcano, therefore, in theory, it could break out at any time, although the last eruption took place in 1917. "You can actually Go up to the top of the peak where you will be rewarded with fairly impressive views of the surrounding desert, "she adds. His favorite place in the park? The "devastated zone", where you can extend the massive lava rocks that have been left from the last eruption of the volcano.

Anu Agarwal, owner and author ofDestination unit, also recommends consulting Bumpass Hell Trail, which recently added a Boardwalk trail to see the close geothermal activity, and the metro lava tube at the end of the park.

Fyi, according to Agarwal, you cannot visit LaSsen Volcanic National Park between June and October that the roads are closed due to the snow for the rest of the year.

The North Cascades National Park could be one of theless visited national parks, but that is part of the attraction: no long lines, and a lot of peace and tranquility. It's also a greatPark adapted to animals, so do not hesitate to bring your companion to fur.

According to Bryn Culbert, a low -budget travel expert atWanderu, aWanderu study revealed that this park is labeled with the most Instagram positions compared to its number of visitors. And it is easy to see why it is so Instagrammable: picturesque mountain views, turquoise alpine lakes, snow -capped mountains and breathtaking waterfalls are just a few reflections.

"It is also not very developed, so there are few roads or other structures in the park, allowing you to abandon the crowd and really disconnect and embrace nature with your loved ones," explains Luisa Favaretto, founder and editor ofStrategy.

Axel Hernborg, CEO ofTripplo, note that there is also no entry fees. "If you like camping, you won't be disappointed," he said. "In addition, you don't have too much to hike to enjoy a serene view, you are surrounded. But if you like hiking, you can even walk at night in the garden with water features lighting.

According to Favaretto, this park - which is less than three hours away from Seattle - also contains the largest glacier system in the contiguous United States

"You will not be able to find views with all these natural elements elsewhere in America," she explains. "The famous Pacific Crest Trail also crosses the park, so it's an ideal place for solo hikers to also connect with people sharing the same ideas during their trip."

There are no roads leading to this park - so, to get there, you will have to fly in a neighboring town of Alaska, then rent a float to get there. But, according to Jenny Ly, travel blogger atBurst, it is well worth the developed trek.

"Do not forget your Sonik fishing equipment during the visit of Katmai because, in addition to seeing brown bears in Brooks Falls, which are among the largest in the world because of the abundant salmon, these activities include an excellent kayak , canoeing, camping in kind, hiking and fishing, "says Ly.

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"Even people who live on the east coast have often never heard of congare, but this small marshy wonderland is the perfect getaway for a unique vacation," explains Culbert. "The park includes an immense hardwood forest of old growth, which is like a swamp, but technically a flood plain, and it houses one of the highest awnings of trees in the world."AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

Families of all sizes and activity levels can enjoy a short walk on the accessible walk of the park and locate the fauna on the more rough Oak Ridge path. Culbert recommends renting a canoe to browse the canoeing path of Cedar Creek and try to spot deer, river otters, turtles and even alligators.

Congaree, which is located outside of Columbia, SC, does not have any entry fees.

"It is an ideal place to stretch your legs, rest and relax a travel day across the Southeast," explains Kimberly Button, Creator and AuthorWandering world of travel. "Although it is not so large and does not offer as much trails, there is a unique charm at this place. The 2.4 -miles Loop hand path at the reception center is a raised walk, this which makes it accessible to everyone and allowing them to go out in nature.

Rest assured that Congaree is ideal for children and families too, because button says that the paved loop path is easy for everyone to walk and run without being too difficult.

Going to this California coastal park is a little more complicated - while the continental visitors are accessible by car, you will have to take a boat to the islands. That said, Hanna Ashcraft, founder of the travel blogModerately adventurous, says that the cruise is part of the pleasure, and if you are lucky, you will even see dolphins, whales, sea lions and sea birds in Gogo along the trip.

Eva Keller, co-founder of the travel blogDiscover hidden gems, notes that there are several charter boats that run daily on the four main islands of Ventura and Oxnard, depending on the season and the weather. Each of the islands has its unique environment to discover. The smallest is anacapa island, which has a picturesque lighthouse and is a famous nesting site for Western gull.

"Look at the silly buffoonery for birds while you are hiking at the point of inspiration for a breathtaking view of the shredded rocks and the other islands in a row," explains Ashcraft. Santa Cruz, the largest island, offers longer hikes to beautiful views like Potato Harbor and kayak visits to explore the caves of the sea. The island of Santa Rosa, which is a little further, is known for A grove of Torrey pines and long sandy beaches.

And finally, Ashcraft says that the island of San Miguel is the best for adventurers who do not care about a long boat trip and want to see sea lions lounging on the sandy beach. The best part? If you want to see everything, you can camp overnight on one of the islands.

Jessica Schmit, the founder ofUproot traveler, was in 40 national parks, but this one, which is located in Arizona, stands out in its memory. And it is not a surprise: faithful to its name, the park contains one of the most important and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world. These mineralized versions of trees go back to hundreds of millions of years ... before dinosaurs even traveled the earth.

"The park offers points of interest for all kinds of visitors, including hikes and hiking through meded and incredibly colored petroglyphs of former Aboriginal people," explains Schmit. "Even better, the park has a small footprint, so it's easy to see the main strengths of the park in one day."

While you are there, see the Rainbow Forest Museum, which offers paleontology exhibitions and numerous access points to the trails.

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According to Favaretto, it is the second smallest national park in the United States, but it is in fact an advantage in some respects because it is possible to see everything it has to offer in an afternoon.

"Hot Springs National Park offers the ideal setting for couples to relax," explains Favaretto. "It has natural thermal baths where visitors can soak and rejuvenate themselves. This bathing ritual is the perfect experience to share with your partner, where you can reconnect with nature and enjoy the powers of healing springs."

The park also offers many excellent hiking trails adapted to all levels, which offer a panoramic view of dynamic seasonal foliage and hot sources in the city center.