With anxiety peaking at record-high levels, it’s hard to deny the fact that we are living during turbulent times. And, though it may be tough to find something that we can all agree on these days, the one thing that still unites Americans is our incredible national park system.
To celebrate our independence, we want you to get out there and enjoy one of these national treasures. And, if you happen to be local to one of the three on our list, we think you should book a campground reservation and make a weekend of it– sleeping under the stars sure beats any requisite boozy backyard barbecue!
Arches National Park
Image from The Dyrt user Mariah B.
Home to over 2,000 sandstone arches, Utah’s Arches National Park is a must for any adventurers seeking some quality time in a colorful desert terrain. For direct access to some of the park’s most popular biking and hiking trails, including Broken Arch, be sure to check out Devil’s Garden Campground.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Image from The Dyrt user Cierra A.
Spanning Tennessee and North Carolina’s highest peaks, Great Smoky Mountain National Park is undoubtedly the best place to experience the Appalachians. With rich wildlife, including black bears, 50 native fish species, and the North American flying squirrel, this park is not only home to some of the country’s best views, but also animals you are unlikely to see anywhere else. If you are looking to stay out of the backcountry, Cades Campground is our pick for a quiet, rustic camping experience.
Denali National Park and Preserve
Image from The Dyrt user Alison G.
Famous for housing the highest peak in the all of the United States, Denali National Park is, without a doubt, the most wild option that our parks system has to offer. If you don’t have the three weeks or the lung capacity to scale the mountain itself, opt to stay at Wonder Lake where you can wake up to stunning views of both Denali and the Alaskan Mountain Range.
