Visiting the U.S. National Parks

At this time of year, many people are making their spring and summer travel plans. Booking hotels, purchasing airline tickets and making rental car reservations — it’s a lot of work for something that’s supposed to be fun. All that work means you should be able to really enjoy your destination, and this is why we suggest visiting some of the national parks for your vacation.

Did you know that there are 58 national parks in the United States? Here is a great reference list to start your research. 

The United States National Parks are a great place to camp, for a few days or even just overnight. The sights and sounds of nature as you get ready to sleep can be part of the most relaxing outdoor adventure you’ve ever taken. Some park areas allow for recreational vehicles, and others are tent sites, so be sure to do your research ahead of time. Weather-permitting, tent camping can allow for an entirely different experience that makes for a wonderful family trip. Eating fireside, sleeping under the stars and watching the sun set over the trees offers bonding time for everyone, as well as great photography opportunities.

The biggest recommendation for planning a trip to any of the national parks is to book your site as far in advance as possible. Some parks have wait lists and have specific dates in which you can book. Others offer only so many permits and once they are gone, they are gone, so secure it ahead of time to ensure you are able to visit all the areas you’d like to visit.

Yellowstone Park, located in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, is known for spectacular waterfalls and Half Dome; some Yellowstone sites were featured in Ansel Adams famous photos. It’s also known for plentiful geysers and is home to many species of wildlife. (Be sure to follow the park’s rules for bears, meaning your food and anything similar must be stowed away safely for everyone’s protection. Research that ahead of time as well, so you are prepared.)

Glacier National Park, located in Montana, has over 700 miles of hiking trails. It’s the park to visit if you want solitude and beautiful lake views.

Zion National Park is Utah’s first national park. Known for its arches and unique landscape, it has many sandstone formations that are beautiful to see at any time of day and in any lighting. At the time this article was written, Zion is experiencing a weather alert due to the current rainy and cold conditions. Park alerts pop up towards the top of the page when you visit an individual park’s listing and will help you to ensure you stay safe during your trip; be sure to check it when you head out on your travels. If you need a rental car in Utah, our closest location is Salt Lake City; you can reserve online here.

South Dakota’s Badlands park is a popular place and well-known for its historical significance. Some of the best fossil beds exist in the Badlands, which consists of 244,000 acres and the accompanying wildlife. 

The National Parks System website contains a wealth of information to help you choose your park(s) of choice. One of our favorite pages is the night sky map, located here. It will allow you to get an idea of what your night time views will be like in regards to astronomy. What a neat way to get the family involved and excited about your trip!

Fox Rent A Car has numerous locations all throughout the United States, with some of the lowest rental car rates available in the industry, so contact Fox to book a rental car for our national park trip. We can help you and your entire party travel the national parks system in style and comfort, and we’ll ensure you have a vehicle that matches your needs while saving you money.