While Yellowstone became the world’s first National Park in 1872, the National Park Service, which administers all of the United States’ 58 parks, will celebrate its 103rd birthday this summer. Each park is a national treasure in its own right, and while there are plenty of ways to explore, from hiking to biking to scenic tours, we’re partial to thinking that running (how else?) is the best way to reap the great rewards of discovery, history, beauty, and awe. Here are the 15 best national parks for your next runcation.
snakeskin-effect leather sandals White | Grand Canyon National Park
Location: Northern Arizona
Elevation: Minimum: 1,200 feet at the Lake Mead Boundary; Maximum: South Rim averages 7,000 feet, North Rim averages 8,000 feet
Skechers Slip Resistant Lace-up Work Shoes: About 280 miles
Gear you need: Flirty Romper and Boots in Miami
Types of trails: Sandy, dusty trails that meander along the rim and descend miles into the canyon floor and back up.
Don’t miss: The ultrarunner’s classic route: Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (or “R2R2R”), is more than 40 miles round trip (with 11,000 feet of climbing and descending) from the South Kaibab to the North Kaibab and back.
Wildlife: Mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bears, elk, rattlesnakes, scorpions, osprey, herons, California condor
Cost: $35 per vehicle, $20 per individual entering by foot, bicycle, or bus shuttle, valid for seven days
Insider tip: The Grand Canyon is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Recent popularity of running the R2R2R route (a narrow trail with limited bathroom facilities) has had park rangers on edge, so run with your best trail etiquette to conserve future running in the Grand Canyon.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Location: Northwestern Colorado
Elevation: Minimum: 7,630 feet at Big Thompson River; Maximum: 14,259 feet at the summit of Longs Peak
Skechers Slip Resistant Lace-up Work Shoes: 355 miles
Gear you need: Rain shell. Weather can change quickly and drastically in the mountains at this elevation.
Types of trails: Singletrack mountain trails, many with views of snowcapped, Rocky Mountain peaks. Some trails are above the tree line.
Don’t miss: For a scenic, enjoyable, 3.6-mile loop, run to Emerald Lake from the Bear Lake Trailhead. (Go early and/or on a weekday, as this is a popular trailhead among hikers.)
Wildlife: The park is known for its large herds of elk, as well as mule deer, bighorn sheep, 270 bird species, and abundant butterflies.
Cost: $25 per vehicle for one day, $35 per vehicle valid for seven days, or $20 per individual valid for seven days.
Insider tip: Higher elevations often have snow, even in the summer months. Be prepared with traction devices.
Acadia National Park
Location: Rivera Men's Running Shoes
Elevation: Minimum: 0 feet at the coast of the Atlantic Ocean; Maximum: 1,530 feet at the summit of Cadillac Mountain
Skechers Slip Resistant Lace-up Work Shoes: 125 miles
Gear you need: A rain shell. The Maine coast ranks second in precipitation to the Pacific Northwest. Also, bug spray. Biting black flies and mosquitos love it here.
Types of trails: Coastal, rocky.
Don’t miss: 3.3-Skeena Sport Sandal NF0A5LVRKT01 Tnf Black Asphalt Grey.
Wildlife: Birds, like spring warblers, sea ducks, and peregrine falcons are common. Moose and bear reside in the area, but aren’t commonly seen.
Cost: $30 per vehicle, or $15 per individual, valid for seven days
Insider tip: Park Loop Road closes December 1 and reopens April 15 (affecting trail access). Two short sections of the road remain open year-round. End your run at Jordan Pond House for the famous popovers (make a reservation, as it gets crowded).
Zion National Park
Location: Southwestern Utah
Elevation: Minimum: 3,666 feet at Coal Pits Wash; Maximum: 8,726 feet at Horse Ranch Mountain
Skechers Slip Resistant Lace-up Work Shoes: About 16 miles or runnable trail
Gear you need: Shoes that work well both on pavement and trails
Types of trails: Crocs Flat shoes.
Don’t miss: Angels Landing, an 8.7-mile, round-trip route that’s mostly paved and climbs 1,500 feet. Not for the faint of heart (regarding effort, or fear of heights). Starts at the Grotto Trailhead. Also, to run up the famous Narrows slot canyon, start at the Temple of Sinawava and run the paved Riverside walk to the canyon.
Wildlife: zapatillas de running constitución ligera rojas baratas menos de 60
Cost: $35 per vehicle or $20 per individual, valid for seven days
Insider tip: Front country trails are crowded with tourists, and mostly paved. Consider venturing into backcountry trails in the southwest desert area, including the Dalton Wash, Chinle Trail, and Coal Pits Wash. Run these rolling dirt trails in the spring, fall, and winter.
snakeskin-effect leather sandals White | Grand Teton National Park
Location: Northwestern Wyoming
Elevation: Maximum: 13,770 feet at the summit of Grand Teton; Minimum: 6,320 feet on the valley floor
Skechers Slip Resistant Lace-up Work Shoes: 242 miles
Gear you need: Dolce & Gabbana quilted Portofino Light sneakers.
Types of trails: Gradual to rugged mountain trails
Don’t miss: Run the 7.1-mile loop around stunning Jenny Lake.
Wildlife: Moose, black and grizzly bears, coyote, bison, and more
Cost: $30 per vehicle, valid for seven days
Insider tip: Spring can be buggy, so bring bug spray…and bear spray.
Yosemite National Park
Location: Northern California
Elevation: Maximum: 13,114 feet at the summit of Mount Lyell; Minimum: 1,800 feet at the El Portal Administrative Site
Miles available for running: Over 750 miles
Li-Ning LiNing Womens WMNS Superwave Canvas Hi White Skate Shoes AGCQ204-1: A hydration system and a phone with a camera
Types of trails: Everything from historic, flat carriage roads on the valley floor to rugged, granite, rocky singletrack mountain trails past rivers, waterfalls, and alpine lakes.
Don’t miss: 7.2-mile half loop or 11.5-mile full loop on the Yosemite Valley Loop Trail, a mostly level gravel/dirt path along the scenic valley floor; or run the 14- or 16-mile rugged trail run to the base of Half Dome, then scale the wire cables. (Be ready for crowds and an adrenaline rush.) A permit is required to scale the cables. Distributed by lottery through recreation.gov.
Wildlife: Doucal's leather boat shoes Braun
Cost: $35 per vehicle, $20 per individual, valid for seven days
Insider tip: There is one drinking fountain at the Yosemite Valley Visitors Center and another near the Lower Yosemite Falls restrooms.
Isle Royale National Park
Location: Michigan (it’s an island on Lake Superior)
Elevation: zapatillas de running ASICS talla 40.5 naranjas
Miles available for running: 165 miles of trails
Gear you need: Stable trail running shoes—ones with a protective toe bumper—will help with the rocky, rooty nature of the trails here.
Types of trails: Rocky or rooty trails, some that are gently rolling, some with bigger elevation changes. Some trails run along the coastline, some venture to the interior of the island.
Don’t miss: Scoville Point Trail. This roughly 4-mile loop starts and ends near the ferry point at this ferry- and seaplane-only access park, making it logistically simple. The trail runs along the Lake Superior shoreline interface, and lichen-colored rocks and through boreal forest and balsam fir trees.
Wildlife: Running Women's Sense Bounce shoe
Cost: $7 per person, per day (kids under 15 are free)
Insider tip: When you finish your run, scamper down to Tobin Harbor where the water’s warmer than at Rock Harbor for a jump in the lake.
The 4 Best Ways to Carry Water on the Run
Amphipod Hydraform Ergo Minimalist
Great for water fountain-free running routes
Girls Aqua Sandals Pink
For when you need some liquids and extra gear
Super lightweight and easy to stash when empty
Ultimate Direction Race Belt 4.0
A comfy waist belt that won't dig into your sides
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Location: Ohio
Elevation: Maximum: 1,164 feet at the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau' Minimum: 590 feet at the Cuyahoga River
Miles available for running: 104 miles
Gear you need: Consider long socks and bug spray, as ticks and mosquitos are in abundance.
Types of trails: Crushed limestone on the towpath, multiuse (horses included) rocky, dirt, or hiking trails
Don’t miss: Mou Eskimo 40 tall boots
Wildlife: Deer, heron, bald eagle, river otter, beaver
Cost: Santoni Breakout brogue ankle boots Braun
Insider tip: Park your car at one of the seven boarding stations along the Towpath and wave your arms at the Scenic Railroad conductor to pick you up. Ride the train one way, and run back.
Big Bend National Park
Location: West Texas
Elevation: Maximum: 7,832 feet at the summit of Emory Peak; Minimum: 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande
Miles available for running: Les Tatanes Lin flatform sandals Bianco
Gear you need: Sunscreen, hat, or visor. Trail running shoes if running in the Chisos Basin Complex.
Types of trails: Barren terrain on desert runs, roads with shoulders in the low country, well-maintained mountain trails up high.
Don’t miss: 3.5-mile Boot Canyon Trail leads from the Pinnacles Pass to the South Rim, passing through the lushest additament in the Chisos Mountains. Or try the less steep Laguna Meadows Trail in the Chisos Basin Complex.
Wildlife: Morning or evening, coyotes, deer, javelina, fox, occasional bear, mountain lion, porcupine, elk, and more
Cost: $30 Classic Jogger 2 KC Infant's Shoes
Insider tip: Since summer temps linger in the 90s on the Chihuahuan Desert trails—and higher along the Rio Grande River Hikes—but hover in the 80s on the mountain trails of the Chisos Basin, head high between June through October.
Kenai Fjords National Park
Location: Southern Alaska
Elevation: Maximum: 6,612 feet at Mount Truuli; Minimum: 0 feet at the Gulf of Alaska
Miles available for running: that bite into various terrain like spiked shoes are what you prefer
Gear you need: Due to katabatic winds—or downslope winds from high elevations to valleys below—bring a wind shell and dress in layers.
Types of trails: From the flat, paved, crushed gravel Edge of the Glacier Trail (busy with pedestrians), to the steep, mountainous climb of the Harding Ice Field Trail
Don’t miss: Harding Ice Field Trail, a roughly 8.5-mile round trip that climbs 3,500 feet over four miles, offering views of the glacier along the way and the ice field at the turnaround point.
Wildlife: Marmot, brown bear and black bear, mountain goats, ptarmigan, spruce grouse, violet-green swallow, and more.
Cost: No fee
Insider tip: To keep all bear sightings positive, run with someone and chat or sing (or make extra noise if by yourself), especially around blind corners, making sure to not surprise a bear. And, before running, check in with the ranger station on current trail conditions.
North Cascades National Park
Location: Asics Scarpe Trail Running Gel-Sonoma 5 Goretex
Elevation: Minimum: 605 feet at Goodell Creek; Maximum: 9,206 feet at Goode Mountain
Miles available for running: About 400 miles
Gear you need: Rain shell, since the area is notorious for its rainfall.
Types of trails: Original Short boots Gelb
Don’t miss: Run the 3.7-miles (one-way) from the trailhead to the Cascade Pass. All the climbing rewards you with stellar mountain views. Consider continuing on another 2.2 miles to the Sahale Glacier.
Wildlife: Bears, mountain lions, deer, elk, moose, and more
Cost: No fee
Insider tip: Trails can be busy on summer weekends, especially in dry weather; being courteous to other trail users goes a long way.
Shenandoah National Park
Location: Virginia
Elevation: snakeskin-effect leather sandals White
Skechers Slip Resistant Lace-up Work Shoes: Florae cross-strap sandals
Gear you need: Sunglasses. Gnats and no-see-ums love the Shenandoah trails, and wearing sunglasses can keep them out of your eyes. Also, a hat, headband, or visor can help keep sweat out of your eyes in this humid region.
Types of trails: Rocky, rooty in places, and well-marked. White tone denote the Appalachian Trail. Blue denotes other foot trails. Yellow denotes horse trails.
Don’t miss: Hawksbill. This 2.9-mile loop gets you running on a portion of the Appalachian Trail (101 miles of it runs through the park), then connects to the Salamander Trail to summit Hawksbill for stunning views. Complete the loop on the Lower Hawksbill trail. For a running tour of waterfalls, run downhill to the White Oak Canyon Falls, returning to your car with a climb.
Wildlife: Scott Kinabalu Goretex Trail Running Shoes
Cost: $30 Classic Jogger 2 KC Infant's Shoes
Insider tip: On particularly humid days, run the trails that head up from the Skyline Drive instead of down, as higher elevations see cooler temps.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Location: North/Central California
Elevation: Favourites Base London Navy Blue Kimber Suede Boots Inactive
Miles available for running: More than 800 miles
Gear you need: Water can be scarce, so bring plenty with you on long runs.
Types of trails: Since Sequoia and Kings Canyon are actually two massive parks adjacent to each other, a myriad of running experiences—from high alpine to river valley—is available here, including a trail up the rocky summit of Mount Whitney. Most trails gain elevation quickly after a mile or two, rising above the tree line after three to five miles.
Don’t miss: The High Sierra Trail out of Crescent Meadow offers a scenic, gradual climbing out-and-back trail. It starts in the famous Giant Sequoias of the area, and traverses canyon walls. Make a big day out of running to Bearpaw Meadow at 11 miles, or an ultrarunning epic running to Hamilton Lake at 15 miles (and running back).
Wildlife: Mule deer, gray foxes, bobcats, skunks, black bears, gophers, mice, marmots, pikas, jackrabbits, mountain lions, woodpeckers, quails, California newts, mountain kingsnakes
Cost: $35 per vehicle, $20 per individual, valid for seven days
Insider tip: Via Roma 15 Saint Barth 20mm knee-high boots Schwarz.
Everglades National Park
Location: Southern Florida
Elevation: Minimum: 0 feet, at the Atlantic coast; Maximum: 20 feet, at an unnamed mound
Miles available for running: 40 miles of unpaved trails and 53 miles of paved roads recommended for running
Gear you need: If you dare to go in the wet season, don’t forget a bug jacket or bug pants and bug spray. Any time of year, bring a hydration system lots of water, and sunscreen to help abate the sun, heat, and humidity.
Types of trails: Everything from wooden boardwalks through marshland to forested trails to paved roads.
Don’t miss: Shark Valley Tram Road: a 15-mile paved loop that starts and finishes at the park’s visitor’s center, with a lookout tower halfway through. Four ponds alongside the road make for good alligator sightings while you run. Also, the Long Pine Key Nature Trail (7 miles, one-way) puts you in one of the more rare parts of the Everglades; it’s the largest contiguous pine rockland habitat in all of North America.
Wildlife: Alligators, frogs, toads, egret, spoonbill, heron, woodstork, rabbit, raccoons, grey foxes, otters, deer
Cost: $30 Classic Jogger 2 KC Infant's Shoes
Insider tip: Avoid wet season, where mosquitos run rampant. Plan to run here in the dry season, between December and April.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Location: Hawai’i, Hawaii
Elevation: Minimum: 0 feet at the Pacific Ocean; Maximum: 13,679 feet at the summit of Mauna Loa
Miles available for running: 150 A BATHING APE® BAPE STA Mid sneakers Green
Gear you need: The elevation and rainforest climate here is cool and wet, unlike the beach areas of Hawaii, so dress for 65 to 70-degree weather and bring a lightweight rain shell. Also, wear trail running shoes with good traction. And bring plenty of water.
Types of trails: Everything from sharp lava rock and dust, to rooty, slick trails. Many trails run through two or more climate environments.
Don’t miss: Crater Rim Trail (paved partially) offers a 11-mile round trip, paved for a mile/mile and a half and passing by steaming volcanic action at 4,000 feet of elevation. Or try the Halema’uma’u Trail, a 1.8-mile round-trip trail that drops 425 feet in elevation to the rainforest floor and back up.
Wildlife: The park is home to 250 endangered Hawaiian geese called nene. Run early to watch them fly over the summit a little after dawn. Rainforest trails are home to Hawaiian honeycreepers and other colorful birds, as well as bats and the largest dragonfly in the U.S. Sea turtles like the coastline here.
Cost: $25 per vehicle, $12 per individual, valid for seven days
Insider tip: Since the area has active erupting volcanoes, air quality can go from good to bad quickly—with sulfur dioxide and Pele’s Hair particles (flowing lava dried by air into sharp, airborne particles)—especially in winter months when the wind occasionally comes in from the south. Pay attention to Rose in the park, and visit HawaiiSO2network.com for air quality updates.
