It’s a popular place, and you need a reservation from the National Park Service to enter the park during peak season. It’s also not the most accessible park. Kalispell, Montana, is the closest airport, a 40 minute drive away.

Grand Teton National Park

The Grand Tetons in Wyoming aren’t as famous as their neighbor, Yellowstone National Park, but they should be. The view of the Tetons from Jenny Lake is truly a postcard-worthy sight.

You don’t have to climb the Tetons to appreciate them. There is a flat 7-mile loop around Jenny Lake, but even a half-mile stroll on this path provides stunning views with plenty of benches to soak it all in. The boat ride across Jenny Lake is also an easy way to enjoy these epic views. Schwabacher Landing is another flat, short, half-mile stroll with excellent views of the Tetons and a decent chance of seeing moose at dawn or dusk.

You can fly right into Jackson, Wyoming, and the town of Jackson is a destination in and of itself. It’s an intimate and adorable place with horse-drawn carriage rides, cute shops, fun restaurants, and a theater that features free shows near the town square.

Joshua Tree National Park

This is one of the most underrated parks, in my opinion. Beyond its namesake funky trees, the Southern California desert landscape and unique boulder formations are perfect for leisurely exploring. It’s a small park, and you can see the highlights on a scenic drive through the park. If you are up for a stroll, the best hikes are short, like Hidden Valley (1 mile) and Arch Rock Trail (0.3 mile), where you can experience some of the massive rock formations amidst the Joshua Trees.

It’s also a certified Dark Sky Park, so the stargazing is amazing. There are Airbnbs with transparent bubble domes so you can literally sleep under the stars. It’s easy to combine Joshua Tree with a trip to Palm Springs, the Temecula wine region, or San Diego.

Acadia National Park

If you are looking for an East Coast park, Acadia, on the rugged coast of Maine, combines the best of beautiful views with mountains. You can drive directly to Cadillac Mountain for stunning panoramic views of the ocean and mountains at sunrise and sunset. You do need a reservation to drive there, so plan ahead. Fun fact: from October to March, Cadillac Mountain is the first place in the continental United States to see the sunrise.

A coastal park also means there are plenty of ways to see the gorgeous scenery by boat. You can take a sailing trip or go on an actual lobster boat. Speaking of lobster, the town of Bar Harbor is a great destination with cute inns, coffee shops, and seafood restaurants. The Ocean Path trail in town is also an easy stroll if you want to get a few steps in, while admiring sea caves, cliffs, unique coves, and picturesque beaches.

These favorites of mine show that national parks aren’t just for athletic hikers and backpackers. Leave the hiking poles at home and bask in views of some of the most breathtaking scenery in our country.

We all can benefit from getting outdoors and taking a few steps, and there’s no better place to do that than a national park. Bonus—if you’re over 62, the National Park offers a lifetime pass to every park for just $80 (or $20 a year).

With spring around the corner, it’s a great time to think about visiting those desert parks that are too hot in the spring, like Joshua Tree and the Grand Canyon. I’m planning trips to the Mighty 5 of Utah National Parks – Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. There will be plenty of scenic drives, casual walks, jeep rides, and even some Star Wars-themed glamping!

Bio

Michelle is a freelance writer, part-time travel planner, and full-time outdoorsy girl. She’s been to over 25 of our national parks and loves sharing her passion for the outdoors with others, even if they don’t own hiking boots. Learn more about Michelle at

https://nationalparkescapes.com