You don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy America’s national parks.
Sure, many parks are famous for long trails and backcountry adventures. But the truth is, some of the most spectacular views in the national park system can be reached by car, shuttle, or a short stroll from a parking lot.
I’m personally a fan of a quick walk to a scenic overlook or an easy trail to something incredible. But a six-hour hike? I’ll pass. That doesn’t mean I want to miss out on the beauty of our national parks.
So, I started looking into which national parks are the easiest to enjoy without hiking, and it turns out there are quite a few. Some parks feature scenic drives, accessible boardwalks, shuttle systems, and viewpoints that deliver jaw-dropping scenery without requiring serious trekking.
This list includes a few parks I’ve already visited and loved, along with several that are still on my bucket list. While some locations may require a short walk, none require strenuous hiking to experience the park’s highlights. This list is not inclusive of all the parks you can enjoy without a long hike, but instead ones that we have put on our bucket list.
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Here are 15 national parks where you can soak in incredible scenery without lacing up hiking boots.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Home to the tallest peak in North America, Denali is the crown jewel of Alaska’s national parks.At first glance, it might seem like an odd pick for a non-hiking list because most of the park is rugged wilderness. But Denali actually offers one of the best guided sightseeing experiences in the entire national park system.
Private vehicles are only allowed on a small portion of the park road. To explore deeper into the park, visitors take Denali’s famous bus tours, which travel deep into the wilderness while a naturalist guide narrates the journey.
From the comfort of your seat, you may see: Grizzly bears, moose, caribou and wolves to mention a few. And if the weather cooperates, breathtaking views of Denali itself.
For visitors who want to experience Alaska’s wild landscapes without hiking in the backcountry, this is an incredible option. We haven’t gotten to Alaska yet, but if we ever do this on the top of my list to do.
Best Time to Visit: June through August
Pro Tip: Take a pair of binoculars that also take photos to get shots of wildlife at a safe distance. We like these digital binoculars because they have an 8x zoom.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake is famous for having some of the deepest, clearest, and bluest water in the world. The lake sits inside the collapsed caldera of an ancient volcano, creating one of the most striking landscapes in the national park system.
Fortunately for non-hikers, the park’s 33-mile Rim Drive circles the entire lake and offers incredible views nearly the whole way. Along the drive you’ll find: 30 scenic overlooks, picnic areas and views of Wizard Island.
Even better, the road was designed to blend into the landscape so that it rarely blocks the view. It’s easily one of the best national parks to experience from your car. I find this so interesting with the crater in the middle of the lake. Definitely a bucket list park for us.
Best Time to Visit: July through September
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park is where the Mojave and Colorado deserts collide, creating a surreal landscape filled with twisted Joshua trees and massive boulder formations.
One of the best things about this park is that many of its most famous rock formations sit right next to parking areas and pull-outs. You can explore: Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Jumbo Rocks and Cholla Cactus Garden all within walking distance. We found a lot of the rock formations easily from our car and the park map.
Driving through the park alone is worth the trip, and the sunset views here are unforgettable. I was honestly surprised at how large the Joshua trees can grow and seeing them up close was one of my favorite parts of visiting.
Best Time to Visit: March–May and October–November
Pro Tip: Be sure to take a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and plenty of water when spending time outdoors, especially in the southwestern parks. We like this water bottle because it easy to drink from and the loop is great for clipping on a day pack.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite is world-famous for its waterfalls, towering granite cliffs, and giant sequoia groves. While many visitors come for epic hikes, Yosemite Valley is incredibly accessible.
Once inside the valley, you can use the free park shuttle system to visit major attractions such as: Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Bridge and Half Dome, El Capitan and Mirror Lake. Most viewpoints require nothing more than a short, easy walk.
Ever since I first saw photos of Yosemite’s giant sequoias and waterfalls, this park has been high on my bucket list. We hope to get there this spring. I’ll let you know if we do!
Best Time to Visit: April through October
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is known for its alpine scenery, turquoise lakes, and dramatic mountain peaks. While the park boasts more than 700 miles of hiking trails, you can still see many of its most spectacular views without hiking thanks to the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road.
This 50-mile scenic drive cuts directly through the heart of the park and offers breathtaking overlooks around nearly every corner. Highlights include Logan Pass, St. Mary Lake, Avalanche Creek and glacier carved valleys.
I have been reading so much about Going to the Sun Road and I really want to get here, but it takes some real planning since the road is only open from late June to Mid-October.
Best Time to Visit: Late June through September
Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
Many of the park’s iconic features sit right along the 142-mile Grand Loop Road, making it possible to see a huge portion of the park from the comfort of your vehicle.
Boardwalk trails lead visitors safely through geothermal areas such as: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Norris Geyser Basin and Mammoth Hot Springs.
These flat boardwalks are wheelchair accessible, meaning almost anyone can experience Yellowstone’s otherworldly landscapes.
And if you want a relaxing place to watch Old Faithful erupt, grab a seat on the balcony of the historic Old Faithful Inn.
Best Time to Visit: April through September
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon is famous for its surreal hoodoos, tall, thin rock spires that glow orange and red at sunrise and sunset.
You don’t need to hike into the canyon to appreciate the views. The Rim Trail offers incredible overlooks right along the canyon edge, and many viewpoints are just steps from parking areas.
The Southern Scenic Drive also features nine overlooks with sweeping views across the canyon. I’m hoping to do a road trip in the fall of the “Mighty Five” national parks and add in a couple of state parks in the area. Big on our bucket list.
Best Time to Visit: May–June and September–mid-October
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is one of the easiest national parks to enjoy without hiking. There are a few parking areas that will take you right to a path along the rim. Many famous viewpoints, including Mather Point, Hopi Point, and Desert View Watchtower, are accessible by shuttle or a short, paved path.
You can also walk small sections of the Rim Trail, which stretches for 13 miles along the canyon edge. This trail gives you great views pretty much anywhere along it. We’ve done parts of this trail and also parked near Desert View Watchtower. It’s only about a ¼ mile to the tower from this parking lot plus amenities are available here. One of the best times was when we got to see the condors flying above the canyon.
Even a short stroll delivers some of the most breathtaking views on Earth. This park should absolutely be on your bucket list.
Best Time to Visit: March–May and September–November
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
This unique park preserves one of the largest deposits of petrified wood in the world. Not to mention the painted desert badlands, petroglyphs and ancient Puerco Pueblo Village.
Many attractions are accessible by short trails or scenic pullouts along the main park road. The longest trail is 2 miles. The park road is 28 miles with many pull- outs. My favorite was see the petroglyphs and painted desert. Greg loved the petrified wood, but he said I shouldn’t take him somewhere that he couldn’t take home some petrified wood!
The colorful badlands landscapes here are stunning, especially at sunset. If you are in the area of Albuquerque or Winslow, you should definitely stop here.
Best Time to Visit: April–May and September–October
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
This hidden gem is set among the badlands of North Dakota and is home to one of the largest buffalo herds in the entire national park system. If you go, you will see Bison up close and personal, but that’s just a small part of what makes this park so unique.
The park is divided into two sections, North Unit and South Unit. Both units have scenic drives where not only will you see Bison, but wild horses, mule deer and the incredibly cute prairie dogs. I love wildlife and this so sounds like a park I need to get to. If you’re in this part of the country, be sure to add it to your bucket list.
Pullouts and short walks provide excellent viewpoints across the dramatic landscape.
Best Time to Visit: May through October
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Hot Springs is one of the most unusual parks in the system. Instead of rugged wilderness, the park centers around historic bathhouses where visitors can soak in natural thermal spring water. Who wouldn’t love a nice, relaxing soak?
Most attractions are located within a few blocks of downtown Hot Springs, making this park extremely accessible. Downtown Hot Springs is great for strolling with plenty of shops and some great restaurants.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Everglades National Park, Florida
The Everglades offers incredible wildlife viewing without needing to hike deep into the wetlands. Easy options include: Anhinga Trail boardwalk, a tram tour or taking an airboat tour through the everglades.
There are some great scenic drives throughout the park that offer amazing views.
Best Time to Visit: December through April
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah is best known for Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic road that runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Dozens of overlooks provide panoramic views with almost no walking required. Waterfalls, wildlife viewing, and scenic picnics make this park perfect for relaxed exploration. When I was much younger, my family went to one of the waterfalls in the park, it was a very short walk from the parking lot, and it was a great experience. If you enjoy mountain scenery and waterfalls, this is a great park for you.
Best Time to Visit: April through October (especially fall foliage season)
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Located between Cleveland and Akron, this park protects forests, waterfalls, and historic canal lands. One of the most unique experiences here is riding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which travels through the park while narrating its history.
There are quite a few scenic drives throughout the park including Canal Road and Riverview Road, which is 20 miles along the river. We’ve driven through here and the area surrounding the park. It is a beautiful area. If we ever go back, I’d like to do the railroad. It sounds like a great way to see more of the park.
You can also enjoy short walks to waterfalls like Brandywine Falls.
Best Time to Visit: April through October
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia offers some of the best coastal scenery in the national park system. You’ll see stunning cliff views and the power of the ocean crashing against the rocks.
The Park Loop Road provides easy access to many highlights including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs. Head to Jordan Pond for a leisurely walk.
You can also drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, one of the first places in the U.S. to see sunrise. We’ve never been here, but from everything I’ve learned it definitely is a great place for those of us who don’t like to hike.
Best Time to Visit: Late May–June and September–October
Pro Tip: Vehicle reservations will be required for Cadillac Summit Road from May 20 through October 25 in 2026. See website for more information.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to be a serious hiker to experience the beauty of America’s national parks. Many parks were designed with scenic drives, shuttle systems, boardwalk trails, and easily accessible viewpoints so visitors of all abilities can enjoy the landscapes that make these places so special.
Whether you’re driving along Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier, watching Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone, or taking in the endless views of the Grand Canyon, there are plenty of ways to experience the parks without tackling long trails.
So, if hiking isn’t your thing, don’t skip the national parks. Grab a camera, pack some snacks, and hit the scenic roads instead. You might be surprised just how much of America’s most incredible scenery is only a few steps from the parking lot. If you’re looking for a new camera, we just got our Kodak PixPro and love it. It’s a great size for travel and not only takes great pictures but also videos.
We love sharing tips and information we learn along the way to help you plan your vacation. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.