READ THIS NEXT: The 10 Least Crowded U.S. National Parks to Visit in 2022. Established as a National Park in 2013, Pinnacles gets its name from its unique geological formations that are the eroded remains of a volcanic eruption that took place 23 million years ago. But besides caves and forests that are perfect for exploring, there’s another unique feature that can be considered a major draw. “One of my favorite bird species is the formerly-extinct-in-the-wild California Condor,” Jennifer Melroy, writer and founder of National Park Obsessed, tells Best Life. “Pinnacles is one of the release sites for the California Condor Restoration Project. Due to this, it’s one of the best national parks to see them in the wild,” adding that a hike along the High Peaks Trail is a great place to spot the birds. The Gateway Arch has been an iconic symbol of the St. Louis skyline and American monument architecture in general since construction finished on the site in 1965. But it wasn’t until 2018 that the NPS designated the 91-acre site a National Park commemorating the westward expansion of the United States. Its rare status as a site located within a major city also makes it an accessible park you can visit in just a day.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb For more travel advice delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Before Indiana Dunes National Park earned full-fledged National Park status in 2019, it was designated as a national lakeshore within the NPS. But visitors have enjoyed the splendors of this waterside wonder since long before it got its upgrade. “Whether you’re going to hike the picturesque sand dunes, bird watch, or simply enjoy a relaxing day on the beaches of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park is the perfect park for a quick getaway,” Brooke Bergen, a travel blogger and founder of Brooke in Boots, previously told Best Life. “It’s also located between Michigan City and Gary, Indiana, making it less than an hour’s drive from Chicago.” Sometimes, the majesty of the desert can be just as mystifying as an old-growth forest or set of mountain peaks. And since even before the NPS upgraded its title in 2019, White Sands National Park has served as a major draw for visitors looking to take in the desolation of the world’s largest gypsum dune field that covers more than 275 miles of terrain. “In 2019, the once-obscure White Sands National Monument became a major destination when it received a title upgrade in the form of National Park designation. That same year, White Sands was officially certified as an International Dark Sky Park, furthering its notoriety and popularity,” Adam Marland, a travel photographer and writer for We Dream of Travel, tells Best Life. “White Sands National Park is the most-visited park in New Mexico, and for good reason. This natural wonder provides a playground for day and night photography, sand boarding, hiking, and general exploration that is unmistakable from any other location in the world,” he adds. Despite being the youngest National Park in the system since earning its title in 2020, the New River Gorge itself is actually home to one of the older rivers on the continent, according to the NPS. The West Virginia site is renowned for providing some of the best whitewater rafting options in the U.S. and is home to other notable landmarks such as the ghost town of Thurmond and the scenic Sandstone falls.
