Our family loves visiting national parks in the United States. They are such great places to unplug and connect as a family. We love hiking and exploring. We especially love the national parks that offer unique experiences that don’t necessarily involve hiking. Besides that, I know that not everyone actually enjoys hiking all that much. In fact, I found out a couple years ago that my own husband doesn’t really enjoy hiking as a leisure activity. I was shook, as they say. Wait, do they still say that? Anyway, today I wanted to share some of the best national parks for non-hikers! Keep reading to check out our suggestions.

the best national parks for non-hikers

All of these national parks offer great opportunities for exploration–no hiking required. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some great hikes in these parks by any means! But if you’re not jazzed by the thought of trekking around, here are some great options for national parks for non-hikers.

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

One of my top suggestions for national parks for non-hikers is Capitol Reef National Park in southern Utah. That’s because you can experience a lot of the unique features of the park without hiking at all! There is a lot of history in Capitol Reef National Park, and at the right time of year you can pick fruit from historic Pioneer orchards. There is also an 8 mile Scenic Drive that will allow you to see many of the unique formations and isolated beauty of this park.

| Read: Our Tips for Visiting Capitol Reef National Park |

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park is probably one of the most remote in the United States–you must either take about or sea plane to get there. however, once you’re there no hiking is required. You can spend your time exploring historic Fort Jefferson or snorkeling in the crystal clear 70 miles off the coast of Key West,, Florida. In my opinion, Dry Tortugas is a must-do bucket list national park.

| Read: Staying Safe in Our National Parks |

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite is one of the highest-visited national parks for a reason–its granite cliffs above the famous valley floor are awe-inspiring. And although there are plenty of hikes abounding from easy strolls to epically strenuous, you could have a great visit without hiking at all. Biking around Yosemite Valley is a very popular activity and you can either B.Y.O.B.–bring your own bike, or rent one there. Shuttle tours are also available through local outfitters.

| Read: Staying at Rush Creek Resort and Spa near Yosemite |

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Crater Lake in Oregon is the perfect national park for non-hikers because you can drive around the entire lake perimeter. There are several viewpoints along the drive where you can pull out and take photos without any hiking required. Keep in mind that the full drive is only open conditions permitting, and snow is often blocking part of the roadway until June or early July.

| Read: Our Tips for Visiting Crater Lake National Park |

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

If you want another suggestion for a national park you can easily drive through, Saguaro National Park is a great choice. There are actually two sections of this park that you can drive through to explore the desert landscape. Although there are plenty of hikes and interpretive trails available, you can see a lot of what Saguaro National Park has to offer without hiking. Biking is another popular option in this park, especially in the cooler mornings.

| Read: Our Tips for Visiting Saguaro National Park |

Have you been to any of these great national parks for non-hikers?

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