National Park travel tips

A woman was proposed to in the hospital after a bison attacked her at Yellowstone National Park.

When I planned a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, I wanted two things: nature and comfort. In April, when I spent a long weekend in the area, I found both while staying in a luxury tent close to the national park. 

At the far north of New Zealand’s South Island, visitors flock to the Nelson Tasman region to hike and kayak in spectacular Abel Tasman National Park. The turquoise waters and sheltered bays of this protected coastline are undeniably beautiful, but increased visitor numbers in New Zealand's smallest national park are putting pressure on infrastructure – particularly along the popular 60-kilometre Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Just beyond Abel Tasman’s northern rocky headland, peaceful Golden Bay sees a fraction of the park’s visitors.

Yellowstone has experienced record-breaking visitor numbers over the past few years, but at what cost? Georgia Stephens journeyed deep into Wyoming to face the crowds and investigate their impact on some of America’s greatest wilderness.

Planning a trip to Vietnam and keen to explore some of its most spectacular scenery? A little north of the 17th parallel – the demarcation where Vietnam was once divided into north and south – lies Phong Nha-Ke Bang: 885 square kilometres of unspoilt jungle, caves and underground rivers squeezed between the Laos border and South China Sea.

Kruger, South Africa's first national park, has been part of the national psyche for as long as anyone can remember. The name alone conjures images of crackling braais and campfire tales, of dog-eared maps and inviting dirt roads, and of elephants that are inevitably too close for comfort. For many, it's one of the greatest game reserves on Earth.

In preparation for the new Rough Guide to Ethiopia, the book’s editor, Edward Aves, travelled to the remote and little-visited Bale Mountains National Park.

Elite hiking trails with breathtaking backdrops. Mythic mountains ringed by fairy-tale forests. Ancient Celtic culture melded with modern eco-innovations.Snowdonia National Park in North West Wales offers visitors an exhilarating blast of natural beauty and unforgettable experiences - whether you’re seeking epic outdoor escapades, history-inspired adventures, or a fun-filled family break. If you’re wondering what to see and do in this awe-inspiring region of Wales, this Snowdonia National Park travel guide is sure to fuel your plans, with yet more inspiration to be found in our Rough Guide Staycations Snowdonia and North Walesguidebook.

Set off through Towada-Hachimantai National Park (also known as Towada-Hachimantai Kokuritsukoen) to discover pristine powder, fir-clad mountains marbled with onsen and world-class seafood. As wild as Tokyo is chaotic, the park extends 855 square kilometres (330 sq. mi) across the unpeopled Aomori, Iwate and Akita prefectures, taking in numerous scenic headlands.

Along the irregular and indented coastline of Tohoku on Honshu’s far north eastern coast is Sanriku Fukkō (reconstruction) National Park. This is where the mountain range of Kitakami gives way to sprawling wildflower meadows and cliffs crowned with pines.

Inviting adventure and exploration, Bandai-Asahi National Park in Japan’s north-eastern region of Tohoku is an exhilaratingly wild land of still mountains and forests. It’s home to peacock-blue caldera lakes and wooded crests, silhouetted against a pandemonium of breathtaking skies. Spanning over 186,000 ha (1,860 sq. km) and stretching across three prefectures – Fukushima, Yamagata and Niigata – it is, in area, the second largest national park in Japan.

Thanks to its outstanding biodiversity, Tortuguero National Park (Parque Nacional Tortuguero) is among Costa Rica’s most visited national parks. One of the best places in the world to watch green turtles, a host of natural and cultural activities await travellers who make the epic journey to the park. Planning to visit? Discover the best Tortuguero National Park tours and activities. If you're ready to go here, maybe our 3-day trip to Tortuguero suits you.

Manuel Antonio National Park, located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is a tropical paradise known for its pristine beaches, lush rainforest, and abundant wildlife. It's a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike, offering a wide range of tours that allow you to explore the park's natural wonders up close. From guided nature hikes to thrilling canopy tours, sunset cruises to snorkelling adventures, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So without further ado, we present the best Manuel Antonio National Park tours

For over two hundred years, people have sought relief and remedies in the mineral-rich waters of Costa Rica’s hot springs. Isn’t it time you joined them? You’ll discover that each hot spring has its character. From romance and luxury to budget-friendly and adventurous options – our list of the best hot springs near Arenal Volcano National Park has the best of the bunch.

Editor’s Note: Monthly Ticket is a CNN Travel series that spotlights some of the most fascinating topics in the travel world. In July, we’re heading for the great outdoors as we highlight everything from incredible adventures to unique camping experiences.

“We saved them from becoming lamb chops,” says Nicola Matthews with a smile. We’re trudging uphill on a muddy trail at the family’s 220-acre organic farm deep in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, with several docile sheep in tow and a veil of misty drizzle obscuring the view of the surrounding peaks.

Cathedral mountains, quiet forests, clear blue mountain lakes: John Denver might as well have been singing specifically about Rocky Mountain National Park in his Colorado anthem “Rocky Mountain High.” Straddling the Continental Divide, this alpine Colorado park encompasses peaks of up to 14,000 feet in elevation, extensive swathes of tundra, glimmering lakes, and aspen-shaded streams home to black bears, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep. Prehistoric mammoth hunters roamed here for thousands of years, followed by the Ute and Arapaho people who summered within the current park bounds until the early 1800s. Today, Rocky Mountain represents the best of its namesake range—a place of stunning extremes and beauty, with enough trails, lodging, and dining options nearby to enchant every kind of traveler.

The Grand Canyon is making it easier to reserve overnight backcountry permits for next year, switching to an online reservation system.

While many African reserves are only accessible to those with the thickest wallets, Kruger, South Africa’s first national park, offers the chance for a far more affordable self-guided safari. Here, on the border with Mozambique, you can see giraffes and even rare African wild dogs from a rental car little different to the one you might drive at home. It’s a place to be enjoyed at your own pace, going wherever a road or a water hole draws the eye, stopping to consult a dog-eared map or reach for your supply of biltong.