Xplorie’s Favorite National Park Destinations
April 5, 2022
The US is home to 423 National Parks that attracted over 297 million recreational visitors in 2021, an increase of 60 million visitors from 2020 and a year that set a visitor record for 44 National Parks! Travelers are flocking to National Parks for seclusion, untouched coastal and mountain landscapes, and four seasons of outdoor adventures and activities.
Each year visitors can experience the national parks for free! All National Parks offer free admission to visitors on select days throughout the year so mark your calendars and enjoy free park entrance and free Xplorie activities and experiences on your next National Park vacation. Free National Park entrance days for 2022 are January 17, April 16, August 4, September 24, and November 11, 2022
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway attracted over 15.9 million recreation visitors last year, making it the most visited US National Park in 2021. Rated America’s favorite drive, the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway meanders through the Blue Ridge Mountains from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, offering visitors 469 miles of natural splendor, awe-inspiring attractions and dramatic views.
Scenic Drives & Overlooks: America’s favorite drive offers a scenic drive experience like no other with small mountain towns, roadside waterfalls, 26 tunnels, scenic overlooks, 350 miles of hiking trails to explore, and outstanding natural attractions along the way.
Some of the top attractions on the southern section of Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville include the Mount Mitchell Lookout (MP 349.9), the rhododendron tunnels at Craggy Gardens (MP 364.4), the Folk Art Center (MP 382), Chimney Rock State Park (MP 384.7), the North Carolina Arboretum (MP 393.6), Mount Pisgah Overlook (MP 408.6), Fryingpan Mountain Lookout (MP409.6), and Sliding Rock on Looking Glass Creek: (MP 411.8).
Biltmore Estate: Biltmore Estate is America’s largest home and one of the top attractions on the Blue Ridge Parkway (MP 388.8). Over 1 million people visit Biltmore Estate each year to tour the opulent 175,000 sq ft home, walk the grounds with themed gardens, pools, and an exotic conservatory, and sip on award-winning wines at Biltmore Winery.
River Rafting & Canyoneering: Experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains from a different perspective! French Broad Adventures offers unique outdoor adventures ranging from calm river rides and wild whitewater rafting on the French Broad River to ziplining, boulder hopping, and canyoneering down waterfalls in the Pisgah National Forest.
River Rafting & Canyoneering: Experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains from a different perspective! French Broad Adventures offers unique outdoor adventures ranging from calm river rides and wild whitewater rafting on the French Broad River to ziplining, boulder hopping, and canyoneering down waterfalls in the Pisgah National Forest.
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort: The Blue Ridge Parkway is open year-round and the winter months paint a different picture. Winter activities include hiking or snowshoeing the Blue Ridge Parkway trails and winter snow sports at Wolf Ridge Ski Resort, just 30 minutes north of Asheville. Wolf Ridge offers 72 acres of terrain for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing (day & night!), a terrain park to play, and hours of fun for the whole family.
Asheville is the gateway town to Blue Ridge Parkway, a vibrant hub with a rich heritage, thriving arts scene, endless foodie hot spots, and vacation homes and cabins to suit every travel style! From quaint cabins tucked in the trees to lavish mountain lodges, Carolina Mornings offer over 100 vacation rentals with complimentary Xplorie activities to enhance your Blue Ridge Parkway experience.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the top tourist destinations in the US and the second most visited National Park for 2021, breaking previous records with 14.1 million visitors. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles North Carolina and Tennessee and is home to some of Tennessee’s highest and most majestic mountains, lush greenery, streams and waterfalls, spectacular fall foliage, and over 800 miles of hiking trails through the old-growth forests.
Scenic Drives: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to some of the most spectacular scenic drives in the US. Head out to Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, drive the Cades Cove Loop Road and Newfound Gap Road with cascading rainbows of fall foliage, breathtaking views, and excellent wildlife viewing, or go elk viewing in the lush Cataloochee Valley.
Smoky Mountain Helicopter Tour: Soar the skies over the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour. Scenic Helicopters National Park Tour is the ultimate aerial tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with sky-high views of historic Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge Parkway, and the mountains, valleys, and free-roaming wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
River Rafting the Pigeon River: From the skies to the thrilling rapids of the Pigeon River. The lower section of the Pigeon River is perfect for a calm floating trip for the whole family or embark on an exhilarating rafting adventure on the Class III and Class IV whitewater rapids on the upper Pigeon River. As you play your way through the Pigeon River Gorge you’re rewarded with dramatic views, wildlife viewing, and lifelong memories of your trip to the Smoky Mountains.
Horseriding in the Smoky Mountains: For yet another unique Smoky Mountains experience, saddle up with Five Oaks Riding Stables and trot or canter through the forests and foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced rider, a unique horseriding experience awaits at the #1 horseback riding destination in the Smokies!
The main entrance to Great Smoky Mountain National Park is on the north side near the gateway towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. Our Stay & Play packages in the Smokies offer mountain cabins with panoramic views and additional activities to top attractions and experiences in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida & Alabama
The Gulf Islands National Seashore is the longest stretch of protected seashore in the US and sits 9th on the list of the top-visited National Parks for 2021, with 5.5 million visitors. Stretching 160 miles along the Gulf of Mexico from Cat Island, Mississippi to Santa Rosa Island in Florida, the Gulf Islands National Seashore is a destination with historic forts, beautiful open beaches, emerald-green waters, an abundance of birdlife, wildlife, and marine life, and fun adventures and recreation activities for all travelers.
Gulf Islands Cruises: Cruising the islands is one of the top activities along the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and there’s a cruise for every age and adventure level! Embark on a sunset or dolphin watching cruise on the Cattywampus, or treat the kids to a memorable adventure exploring the high seas aboard the award-winning Buccaneer Pirate Cruise.
Water Activities: Gilligan’s Watersports is your one-stop shop for water activities on the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Parasail 500-ft above the coastal landscapes and emerald-green waters or pick up a Waverunner or pontoon rentals and play captain for the day, exploring the scenic coastline and islands at your own pace.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park: The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is the perfect place to experience the marine life of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, watch a dolphin or sea-lion show, and have interactive animal encounters with dolphins, stingrays, penguins, and Florida’s reptiles. It’s a must-do activity when planning a vacation to the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Snorkel: The Original Sea Blaster is one of the most popular water attractions along the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Water lovers of all ages can explore the crystal clear waters on a snorkel experience along the Gulf of Mexico coastline, interacting with vibrant marine life and our local friendly dolphins.
Xplorie partners with professional property managers along the Gulf Islands National Seashore from Fort Morgan to Fort Walton Beach with a wide selection of vacation rentals and complimentary passes to the top recreational activities and experiences, for each day of your stay!
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Our next favorite National Park site is the crown jewel of Colorado’s National Parks, ranking #14 on the list of most visited National Parks in the US, with 4.4 million visitors in 2021. Rocky Mountain National Park boasts 355 miles of hiking trails, 150 high alpine lakes, over 60 species of wildlife, 118 named peaks over 10,000 ft, and one of Colorado’s 14ers, the famous Longs Peak. With up-close wildlife encounters, incredible mountain vistas, epic hikes, and plenty of photo opportunities, it’s worth every National Park bucket list!
Rafting Trips: AVA Colorado specializes in creating unique experiences for visitors to the Rocky National Park – from bike adventures, off-roading UTV rentals, and mountain top ziplines to whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fly fishing on the Colorado River, your outdoor adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park await!
Hiking & Biking the Rocky Mountains: Winter Park is not only a gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park, it’s Mountain Bike Capital USA! Epic Mountain Sports have all the gear you need to get outdoors in Rocky Mountain National Park – from cruiser bikes and mountain bikes to snowshoe rentals and backcountry gear. With four seasons of adventure and miles of trails to discover, hiking and biking the trails is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park.
Winter Park Ski Resort: As the snow covers the landscapes of the Rocky Mountains National Park in winter, visitors can still snowshoe or cross country ski the trails and enjoy endless winter sports at Winter Park Ski Resort, voted the #1 ski resort in North America by USA Today! Stay with Xplorie and enjoy free gear rentals to get on the slopes during your visit to Rocky Mountains National Park.
Winter Park is the western gateway to the world-famous Rocky Mountain National Park, only a day trip away through the scenic Fraser Valley! Winter Park Escapes offers a selection of over 100 vacation rentals near the Rocky Mountains National Park ranging from luxury alpine suites to spectacular Rocky Mountain lodges with free Xplorie activities for each day of your stay.
Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
The Cape Cod National Seashore comes in at #17 on the list of top visited US National Parks for 2021, with 4 million visitors heading to the quaint seaside villages on Cape Cod, 40 miles of sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, cranberry bogs, and the simple pleasures that come from a vacation in New England. Explore the best of Cape Cod National Seashore with Xplorie as we venture through the islands, oceans, and one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world!
Daytrip to the Islands: Hop onto Hy-line Cruises for a day trip to the iconic Martha’s Vineyard or the quaint island of Nantucket, America’s most scenic little island. The islands around Cape Cod are world-renowned for their beauty, natural attractions, miles of coastline, and outdoor activities that encapsulate the beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Bike the Cape Cod Rail Trail: The Cape Cod Rail Trail takes you along the old railroad through the scenic towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. Pick up a bike rental from Dennis Cycle Center situated on the Cape Cod Rail Trail and paddle your way along the old railroad on Cape Cod and the shoreline of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Whale Watching Cruises: Cape Cod is home to Humpback, Finback, and Minke Whales, along with friendly pods of dolphins, and is ranked one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world! Hyannis Whale Watching Cruises offers Cape Cod’s finest whale watching experience with experienced captains and naturalists for a unique whale watching experience on the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Experience the best of Cape Cod National Seashore and free Xplorie activities with Kinlin Grover, a preferred Xplorie partner with over 500 vacation rentals in Cape Cod, and free Xplorie activities for the ultimate vacation along the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Whether you head to the mountains or the seashore, your stay with Xplorie allows you to explore the top National Park destinations with the best vacation accommodation, luxury amenities, and free world-class activities near top National Parks, for each day of your stay!
