Nestled in the Kentucky backcountry, Mammoth Cave emanates a somewhat gloomy yet grandiose vibe with its 400-plus miles of twisty, dark caves brimming with mind-boggling rock formations and tokens of a bygone era.īecause of the park’s relatively small size, it’s easy to see a lot in a short time. It’s one of the smaller national parks - encompassing just under 83 square miles - but, boy, does it have a lot to offer. Mammoth Cave isn’t one of the most popular parks on this list, but it still draws an impressive 2 million visitors each year. If the sun hasn’t set already, enjoy the show and the day’s last light at Glacier Point. Take the short hike to Sentinel Dome, one of the easiest ways to get expansive views of the entire park. Hike to lower Yosemite Falls, poke your head inside the Ahwahnee Hotel (formerly The Majestic Yosemite Hotel) and Ansel Adams Gallery, and snap valley-view photos of Half Dome and El Capitan.Īfter you’ve explored the valley, see the entire thing at once from Tunnel View on Wawona Road (Hwy 41). If you visit Yosemite in the winter, you may want to stay on either the east side of the park (Tuolumne area) or in the valley. Note, though, that Tioga Road is only open during the summer and early fall, and then it closes due to snowfall. Visit Tuolumne Meadows, and be sure to hit Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, and Soda Springs.Įnjoy the scenic 56 miles of Tioga Road (Hwy 120 East) that takes you to Yosemite Valley.
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It’s a haven for extreme rock climbers, casual hikers, and nature lovers alike - here’s how to get the most out of 24 hours in Yosemite National Park, Instagram-worthy backdrops included.Īrrive at the park via Tioga Pass (reservation required). Within its nearly 1,200 square miles, Yosemite contains crisp, bright green meadows, plentiful peaceful wildlife, gushing waterfalls and crystalline pools, towering granite monoliths, and ample scenic byways and lookouts.
Travel back down Hwy 190 and stop for a cold drink at the rustic Stovepipe Wells Village before leaving the park.īest known for its towering cliffs and crags, Yosemite National Park has skyrocketed to the top of the national park list, enticing more than 4 million visitors each year. Travel north along Hwy 190 until you get to Ubehebe Crater, which is 600 feet deep and a half-mile across. Take a quick detour off of California Rte 190 to travel the one-way Artist’s Drive and enjoy mountains of blue and mauve at Artist’s Palette. Gaze way, way down at badlands and basins from Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View.īacktrack a bit to Devil’s Golf Course and Badwater Basin. Study up on mining history at Harmony Borax Works. You must get an early start at Death Valley National Park - temperatures soar to over 100☏ (38☌) by 10 a.m.Īdventure to and around the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. If you’re up for the challenge, follow this itinerary to make the most out of Death Valley National Park in just 1 day.Īrrive at the park. Despite its claim to fame as the hottest, lowest, and driest national park, more than 1 million people bravely voyage to Death Valley each year. Known as the “land of extremes,” Death Valley exemplifies the desert: it’s (very) hot, (extremely) dry, and (incredibly) low. Gaze up at the second-largest sequoia tree, General Grant in General Grant Grove.Įnjoy the drive along Kings Canyon Scenic Byway.ĭeath Valley National Park: California and NevadaĪt 5,312 square miles, Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in continental USA. Take a hike to a granite dome on Little Baldy Trail. Wander through Giant Forest and marvel at Tunnel Log, Moro Rock, and General Sherman. From the park entrance, it takes an hour to get to the sequoias. expect longer lines during the weekends.Įnjoy a scenic drive along Generals Hwy. Crowds start amassing by 10 a.m., so it’s better to get there even earlier than 9 a.m.
Together, these parks are epically vast and deserving of more than just 1 day but, when that’s all you have, here’s how to make the most of it.Īrrive at the park. Even in the height of the California summer, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have that crisp, cool air that makes you want to nosedive into a pile of raked leaves, and the towering sequoia trees can turn any person into an avid forest bather. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are actually two separate parks but, because of their proximity and connectedness via Generals Hwy, most visitors consider them one and the same. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: California
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