READ THIS NEXT: The 10 Best National Parks That Need to Be on Your Bucket List. Some parks are known for their big-name attractions, like Old Faithful, Half Dome, or the Narrows. But others in the system maintain beauty throughout, making it easy to appreciate without feeling like you’re rushing between landmarks. “Few places enchant first-time visitors more than White Sands National Park [in New Mexico], despite the entire park being located adjacent to only one dead-end road that is only seven miles long,” Adam Marland, a travel photographer and writer for We Dream of Travel, tells Best Life. “There is no one must-see viewpoint. Instead, the joy is in just getting (proverbially) lost in the silky-soft white dunes. Even with some short recommended walks, most travelers are in and out of the park within a few hours, save for the photographers who just can’t leave.” There’s also a dazzlingly beautiful bonus for those who stick around later during their day trip.“The white ‘sand’ for which the park is named is neither white nor sand! It is actually translucent gypsum that reflects the ambient color,” Marland explains. “This means it appears white most of the day due to overhead sunlight, but can appear shades of red, orange, blue, and purple depending on the colors of sunset and twilight!” The Midwest is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions “sandy beaches.” But Indiana Dunes National Park provides visitors with a quick and easy way to enjoy the splendors of nature without having to book out days on end for travel or lodging. “Whether you’re going to hike the picturesque sand dunes, bird watch, or simply enjoy a relaxing day on the beaches of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park is the perfect park for a quick getaway,” Brooke Bergen, a travel blogger and founder of Brooke in Boots, tells Best Life. “It’s also located between Michigan City and Gary, Indiana, making it less than an hour’s drive from Chicago.” And even if you’re not looking to lounge by the water on the park’s 15 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, the site offers plenty for the active set. “The park has over 50 miles of hiking trails, including the West Beach Dune Succession Trail, a 1.1-mile loop that’s dog and kid-friendly,” she adds. “But beach parking can fill up on summer weekends and holidays, so make the most of your day and arrive early!” While the idea of visiting a National Park usually conjures up images of vast, open skies, there’s at least one site that provides an entirely different experience. “There are few places on earth as otherworldly as Carlsbad Caverns National Park,” Dave Martirosian, founder of Hikers Daily, tells Best Life. “There are over 119 caves to explore, but the main attraction is the Big Room cavern. Once you’re in the caves, it’s like looking at a magical, upside-down cityscape.” But even if you’re pressed for time, you can still get the most out of the park. “The entire trail is only 1.25 miles, and there’s even a shortcut if you’re feeling a bit claustrophobic that cuts down the trail length to around half a mile,” Martirosian says. “It’s quick, accessible, and such a unique national park experience.” However, others point out that the conveniently compact site still holds a surprise for those who stick around. “While the park is technically more than just the cave system, there is little to explore outside of this small area,” Marland tells Best Life. “Most visitors are in and out in three to five hours at the most, though many stay for the ‘sunset bat show’ which occurs each night (seasonally) as resident bats swarm away for their nightly feast in a harmonic display.” READ THIS NEXT: Yellowstone National Park Officials Issue New Alert on “Unpredictable” Threat. For those who are bigger fans of self-pampering thank hiking or climbing, there’s still an easy and accessible park you may want to add to your list for a day trip. “The second smallest National Park, Hot Springs National Park is a quirky National Park unlike any other. In the heart of the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas, natural hot springs bubble up from the mountains, and for centuries were believed to possess medicinal healing properties by both Native Americans and European settlers,” Bergen tells Best Life. “Hike the parks miles of dog and kid-friendly trails, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for the early-morning steam rising from the springs,” she recommends. “Visitors looking to indulge can book modern treatments and enjoy the first-come-first-served indoor pools at the Quapaw Bathhouse, or experience the ’traditional’ bathing treatments performed in the early 1900s at the oldest continually operating bathhouse, Buckstaff.” Many National Parks are remotely located deep in the arctic wilderness or sprawling desert. But one relatively removed site provides a bite-sized and sun-soaked way to take in nature that travelers can cover in under 24 hours. “Dry Tortugas National Park is the perfect place to spend an idyllic day,” travel blogger Erin Moreland tells Best Life. “Accessible only by seaplane or ferry boat, this park is located 70 miles off the shore of Key West, Florida in the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico.” Visitors will likely first notice Fort Jefferson—the 19th-century military installation that covers a portion of the island—when they arrive. But unlike other National Parks, you should probably opt for a pair of fins instead of hiking boots for your day trip. “The most popular thing to do once you get there is to go snorkeling in the clear turquoise water, where healthy, vibrant corals, sea sponges, and tropical fish are abundant,” Moreland says. “And with 99 percent of the park being actually underwater, there are miles of unspoiled shoreline to explore during your epic day!“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb For more travel advice delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. It’s not every day you get to see two of the most active volcanoes in the world. But if you plan a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, experts say you can easily get in an awe-inspiring day between breakfast and dinner with the help of your vehicle of choice. “The main park road leads to overlooks of smoldering Kilauea Volcano and other major park landmarks,” Joe Yogerst, a travel expert and author, tells Best Life. “Better yet, sign up for a guided downhill bicycle tour that ends with a lunch stop beside the Pacific Ocean and then a van ride back into the town of Volcano just outside the park.” As the founder of the National Park Service, it may not come as a surprise that Teddy Roosevelt National Park holds a soft spot among many outdoors enthusiasts making their way through North Dakota. “Set in the rugged Badlands, it is equally a tribute to the beauty of the land along with the vision of its namesake. No president did more for National Parks than Teddy, and his love of nature is a center point for any visit,” Nate Axvig, traveler and founder of Scandinavian clothing company Aktiv, tells Best Life. According to Jennifer Melroy, writer and founder of National Park Obsessed, you can get the most out of one day by visiting the park’s south unit and heading up to Buck Hill, the park’s second-highest point that “provides a panoramic view of the badlands.” You can also spend the day spotting prairie dog towns and visiting the Maltose Cabin, which was built by Roosevelt himself along with his ranch hands. The site can also make for an excellent stopover for any long road trip in the area. “Practically, the park isn’t that big, so it is easy to glide through if your travels are taking you towards Yellowstone,” Axvig says. “It’s also a quick drive up from Mt. Rushmore.” READ THIS NEXT: 6 Reasons to Visit Zion National Park Right Now, According to Experts. Colorado offers no shortage of natural beauty and outdoor activity no matter where you look. And for those with just enough time on their hands to get in a quick day of natural splendor, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park provides an accessible option. “Located southwest of Denver in the San Juan Mountain Range, this park sits at 8,300 feet of elevation and has sheer vertical cliffs dropping 2,250 feet down into the canyon,” Moreland tells Best Life. “Driving the South Rim Road takes you through a seven-mile-long scenic route showcasing all of the park highlights. There are 12 scenic overlooks off of this road, most with short trails and easy out-and-back hikes.”
