America’s national parks are famous for their trails, but hiking isn’t the only way to experience them. In fact, some of the most memorable national park adventures happen far from the trailhead. From floating over mountain peaks in a hot-air balloon to spotting sea stars in Pacific tidepools, there are countless ways to explore the parks without logging miles on foot.
The U.S. National Park System protects more than 21,000 miles of hiking trails, but it also offers scenic drives, wildlife tours, train rides, boat excursions, and even relaxing spa experiences. These unique national park experiences let you enjoy incredible scenery while trying something completely different.
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Here are some of the best ways to experience national parks without hiking.
Unique Ways to Explore National Parks
Hot Air Balloon Over the Tetons
Few experiences compare to floating silently above the jagged peaks of the Tetons in a hot-air balloon. As the sun rises over the mountains, the landscape glows with golden light while rivers, forests, and wildlife unfold below you. The peaceful flight offers a completely different perspective of the park and allows visitors to see vast areas that would take days to explore on foot.
Hot air balloon rides are perfect for travelers looking for a relaxing but unforgettable national park experience. Or maybe that special occasion with a loved one. Grand Teton National Park is the perfect place for hot air balloon rides.
Other National Parks where hot-air balloon rides are popular include Arches, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Shenandoah and Great Smokey Mountains
Horseback Riding Through the Hoodoos
Channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl with a horseback ride through Bryce Canyon National Park’s otherworldly landscape.
Guided rides wind through forests and along canyon trails where you’ll see the park’s famous hoodoos, tall, thin rock spires formed by erosion. Riding through the canyon on horseback feels like stepping into the Old West. Several local outfitters offer guided rides ranging from short trips to longer excursions that explore the park’s geology and wildlife.
Other National Parks with horseback riding include Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Teton, Glacier, Zion and Cuyahoga Valley.
Take a Train Ride through Cuyahoga Valley National Park
All aboard for breathtaking views! Some parks offer train excursions that reveal hidden vistas unreachable by foot or car. The slow-paced journey allows you to soak in beauty from the comfort of a train, with opportunities for photos and daydreaming. It’s a relaxing and scenic way to experience the park’s landscapes.
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers a picturesque ride through the park, following the Cuyahoga River and showcasing the park’s lush landscapes and waterfalls. The train travels through beautiful forests, meadows, and along the river, providing opportunities to see wildlife and natural beauty without walking long distances.
Other National Parks with scenic rail experiences are Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain
Pro Tip: Be sure your camera has video capabilities. You’ll be glad you take some videos because you’ll see things on the video you missed when passing by. We really like our Kodak PixPro because it has really great video quality.
Enjoy a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
Step back in time with a horse-drawn carriage ride along Acadia’s historic carriage roads. These leisurely rides wind through forests, stone bridges, and scenic viewpoints while guides share stories about the park and the history of Mount Desert Island.
Acadia National Park’s carriage tours typically run from May through October and are one of the most relaxing ways to explore the park.
Air boat through the Everglades
There is something almost mystical about Everglades National Park. This unique destination is home to all types of incredible wildlife and unique landscapes that will capture your attention the minute you arrive. While there are several ways you can explore Everglades National Park such as on a tram tour, air boats are the way to go.
The airboats go right through the tall grass taking you to the preserved wilderness of grasslands and hardwood hammocks. You will see alligators, iguanas and other wildlife in their natural habitats while exploring native flowers and trees.
Relaxing National Park Experiences
Stargazing in a Dark Sky Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the best places in the United States for stargazing. Thanks to its high elevation and minimal light pollution, the night sky here is unbelievably clear. On a dark night you can see thousands of stars and even the Andromeda Galaxy.
Park rangers frequently host telescope programs and full-moon hikes, and each June the park holds a popular astronomy festival.
Other amazing stargazing National Parks include Big Bend, Saguaro, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Death Valley
Read more: 18 Dark Sky Parks in the United States for Unforgettable Stargazing
Soaking in Natural Hot Springs
People have been soaking in the mineral-rich waters of Hot Springs National Park in the Zig-Zag mountains for centuries. Today visitors can relax in historic bathhouses like the Buckstaff Bathhouse, which has been operating since 1912, or enjoy modern spa treatments at the Quapaw Bathhouse.
It’s one of the few national park experiences where relaxation is the main attraction.
Other National Parks with hot springs include Big Bend and Olympic
Water Adventures in National Parks
Scenic Boat Tours
Glacier National Park is famous for its alpine lakes, and a boat tour is one of the best ways to see them. What better way to see this showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes.
Guided tours operate on several lakes including Lake McDonald, St. Mary Lake, Many Glacier, and Two Medicine. While cruising across the water, guides share stories about the park’s glaciers, wildlife, and history.
Other National Parks offering boat tours are Voyageurs and Biscayne
Pro Tip: Be sure to take a coat with you even in summer. It can get very cool on the water.
Rafting the Colorado River
Few adventures are as thrilling as rafting through the Grand Canyon National Park.
Trips range from short, guided excursions to multi-day journeys through powerful rapids and quiet canyon stretches. Between the adrenaline-filled rapids, rafters enjoy spectacular canyon scenery and peaceful moments along the river.
Other National Parks with rafting adventures include Big Bend and Grand Teton
Tidepooling Along the Pacific Coast
While large wildlife often steals the spotlight in Olympic National Park, the tiny creatures living in coastal tidepools are just as fascinating.
At low tide, rocky beaches reveal small pools filled with colorful marine life such as sea stars, hermit crabs, sea urchins and sea anemones. Some of the best tidepool locations include Ruby Beach and Kalaloch Beach.
Another great tidepool destination is Acadia National Park
Quirky and Adventurous National Park Activities
Geocaching
So, you’re expecting to see the Painted Desert, find some petroglyphs and be amazed by the Petrified wood during the standard tour at Petrified Forest National Park. But is there more?
How about Geocaching? Geocaching is a modern treasure hunt that uses GPS coordinates to locate hidden containers. Petrified Forest has six physical caches to find. In Petrified Forest National Park, geocaching can lead visitors to lesser-known viewpoints and unique landscapes throughout the Painted Desert.
The park also offers virtual EarthCaches, which teach visitors about geology while they explore. To learn more about geocaching in Petrified Forest National Park, go to their website.
Sandboarding Down Massive Dunes
At Great Sand Dunes National Park, you can glide down towering dunes on a sandboard or sand sled. This thrilling activity lets you glide down the towering dunes as if you were on snow.
It’s like snowboarding, but on warm desert sand. Equipment can be rented nearby, making it easy for beginners to try this fun and unique activity.
Another sandboarding destination is White Sands National Park
Pro Tip: The Park Service doesn’t rent snowboarding equipment, so you’ll need to rent it before you get to the park. There are several stores within a half hour of the park that rent equipment. Check the park website for more information.
Rock Climbing World-Class Granite
Yosemite National Park is considered one of the greatest rock-climbing destinations in the world. Its massive granite walls, including El Capitan and Half Dome, attract climbers from across the globe.
Routes range from beginner-friendly climbs to legendary big-wall challenges. Climbing routes require proper gear and permits, so make sure to prepare beforehand and ensure you have the necessary equipment and knowledge.
Other National Parks known for rock climbing include Joshua, Acadia and Grand Teton
Helicopter Ride in Hawai’i
Seeing Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from ground level is amazing. Seeing it from a helicopter where you will see craters, lava fields, rainforest, and coastline all in one sweep is a definite bucket list item
From the air you can look into Kilauea’s summit crater and caldera. You can see where the lava flows have flowed on the landscape. You’ll also fly over the rainforest and waterfalls. You can’t beat an aerial view of the volcano.
Other National Parks with Helicopter tours include Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Glacier
Pro Tip: Be sure to take binoculars when taking any of the aerial tours. If you want great pictures get, we like these digital binoculars that have a 8X zoom feature.
Final Thoughts
Hiking may be the most common way to explore national parks, but it’s far from the only option. Across the United States, national parks offer countless unique experiences, from stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the country to floating over mountains in a hot-air balloon or gliding down massive sand dunes.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or something completely different, there are plenty of ways to enjoy these incredible landscapes without spending hours on a trail. The next time you visit a national park, consider trying one of these unique experiences. You might just discover a whole new way to explore the outdoors. Keep in mind that many of these experiences are from outside companies not the National Park Service. You will need to make reservations in advance for most of these activities.
We love to share information and tips with you that we find 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.