Sometimes, getting away in nature is the best thing for a family to experience together. Seeing natural wonders can help a family draw closer as a unit as well as provide a memorable vacation experience. Here are some of the best nature reserves in the country to visit with your family or for exercise.
Olympic National Park
This park is on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. It is a combination of both forest and mountains and is popular with backpackers and hikers. There is also a coastal ecology since it borders on the Pacific. The Ozette Loop, which is a 9-mile coastal hike, is one of the most popular spots in the park. There are many different ecologies all within one park, including some areas that can be considered rainforests. The temperate climate makes it accessible practically year-round.
Smoky Mountain National Park
Located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the Smoky Mountain National Park is known as one of the best and most majestic nature reserves in the country. For hikers, the area is a virtual paradise as there are a large number of hiking trails offering diverse scenery. You can even hike the part of the Appalachian Trail that runs through the park. The Smoky Mountain National Park covers a large territory of over 800 square miles spanning two different states, offering visitors quite a bit to explore.
Yosemite National Park
Considered one of the country’s preeminent national parks, Yosemite is a wilderness paradise that is located in California. There are over 1,100 square miles to explore in the park. There are family activities year-round including downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter. For families, there are also short walks to some of the numerous waterfalls in the park. For fitness enthusiasts, there are many different places for rock climbing. You can also observe many different types of wildlife in nature at Yosemite.
Acadia National Park
Acadia was the first national park in the United States east of the Mississippi River. The park has both woodlands and coastlines and is a great place to visit with the family during the summer. In the winter, there is cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Acadia is often considered one of the best places in the U.S. to kayak along a coastline.
Nature reserves are a great destination to enjoy as a family that provides near limitless opportunities to spend time together, to get exercise, and to view the natural beauty that surround us. No matter where or when you go, you will find the majesty of nature helps you feel more connected to the world around you and to the people you love. There’s also nothing quite like the refresher of disconnecting from your busy life, and rediscovering what’s most important.
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