Top 5 National Park Vacays That You Can Drive To
If you and your family are experiencing cabin fever after being quarantined at home for the better part of a year (or longer for some!) then you know what you need- a vacation!
There are still plenty of travel restrictions and if you’ve got young children, you have further restrictions because there is no vaccine for them as of right now.
There is a perfect answer, however. A road trip. Whether you’ve got 10 days of vacation time saved up or you can only sneak in a long weekend, we’ve created a list of some of the best national parks you can drive to in 8 hours or less.
Imagine all the open spaces, walking, hiking, seeing lakes, deer, and just getting out of the house for a change!
Sounds so good, doesn’t it?
Then keep reading and discover the top 5 national parks you can drive to and be enjoying, well, tomorrow!
National Park #1
Indiana Dunes National Park- 1-1.2 hour drive
Perhaps you’ve been here before, or perhaps you’ve talked about going but never quite got around to it. Now is your chance!
Indiana Dunes is a fun getaway because it’s so close that you can enjoy this trip even if you only have a weekend.
The dunes are located right on Lake Michigan, so the kids can play games, run up and down the shore, or even take a dip if the weather cooperates.
There are also biking trails, hiking, and some pretty darn comfortable campgrounds – so be sure to bring your smores makings!
National Park #2
Mammoth Cave National Park – 6- hour drive
We bet that you’ve overlooked this one in the past. Don’t miss out this year, however! This national park has so much to offer, you’ll wonder how you passed it by before.
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in Kentucky, and it’s the longest cave system in the world! With more than 400 miles of underground passageways, you won’t run out of things to do and see.
The kids will love the very affordable tours that allow everyone to see and understand the secrets that the earth holds inside. Try the Domes & Dripstones Tour, which will have your jaw drop to the floor from the first 3 minutes.
National Park #3
Cuyahoga Valley National Park- 5-5.5 hour drive
This is Ohio’s only national park and it’s a beauty.
The park lies on the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron. You can follow the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail or try out some of the other hiking trails.
Brandywine falls is a beautiful waterfall and there is a viewing deck that is accessible from the Gorge trail. Blue Hen Falls is closed but you can enjoy riding bicycles on the rails and there is a Junior Ranger program that younger children will really love.
National Park #4
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park- 8- hour drive
This is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country and if you haven’t been, it’s a must-see.
You can walk up to and see the ridge that divides Tennessee and North Carolina. Be sure to put one foot in each state and take a pic to prove you’ve been there
If you take the regular tour bus from Gatlinburg to the visitor’s center, the driver will happily yell out “BEAR JAM!” (not traffic jam) so you can get out your camera and check out the bears or other wildlife that he has spotted.
There are tons of buildings left behind from early settlers to the area, including churches, strange-looking barns, and other buildings.
You can camp at one of the designated campsites or you can rent a cabin near Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge.
National Park #5
Isle Royale National Park- 8- hour drive
For breathtaking scenery along with boating, fishing, walking, or hiking, this national park in northwest Lake Superior cannot be beaten.
Rent a wetsuit and dive down to icy depths and see shipwrecks. Ferry service starts May 1st of every year. You can rent a boat, kayak, or canoe on the lake. There are guided tours on both the land and water that are well worth the price. The backpacking and hiking are simply superb and the views are something you will remember.
You can camp or stay at the Rock Harbor Lodge. If you are a part of 7 or more and you want to camp, you must make advance reservations. There are ranger programs, with a special evening program that you don’t want to miss.
This little island has it all, but you must take a boat or the ferry to reach the island, no cars allowed.
*Special Mention
The Apostle Islands- 7- hour drive
This is also located on Lake Superior and is one of the few destinations that doesn’t shut down for the winter. In fact, if the lake freezes, you can actually walk out and see the sea caves that exist under the cliffs on the shoreline.
There are 8 historic lighthouses on the 6 Apostle Islands and you can see where former settlers and Native American’s lived. You can take a kayak or a boat tour around the islands and view the caves and the glass-bottom boat trip is not to be missed.
You can also scuba dive down to see the shipwrecks and other sites, and there are a great variety of hiking trails on most of the islands.
There is camping on some of the islands, or you can rent a cabin at Hauser’s Bayfield Cabins.
Before You Go
Even a short 4 or 8-hour trip can be ruined if your car should break down. Before you head out on the road, be sure to stop by Hong Kong Auto Service.
The pros at Hong Kong Auto Service will be happy to inspect your vehicle, check the air conditioning, tires, and wipers, to ensure that your vehicle is safe for your next vacation.
It only takes a short amount of time, so why not call Hong Kong Auto Service today for a pre-vacation inspection? The peace of mind you will have knowing that your car is in tip-top, road-worthy shape will be well worth the effort.