9 National Parks Your Students Will Love

EducationUncategorized

Our national parks are an amazing teaching and learning resource! They are packed with opportunities to explore geography, history, culture, science, sustainability, and so much more. If you’re thinking about planning a class trip, here’s a snapshot of 9 national parks your students will love!

Arches National Park

On March 1, 1872, Congress passed an act that made Yellowstone in the Montana and Wyoming Territories the first national park in the United States. It was declared “as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” Since then, the National Park Service has managed 63 national parks and millions of acres of land, drawing more than 325 million visitors each year.

1. Utah’s Mighty Five

Utah’s Mighty Five are a group of national parks in southern Utah known for their stunning red-rock formations, dramatic desert landscapes, and thrilling trails. They’re also a great, week-long class trip for anyone who loves the outdoors!

Arches National Park

Arches National Park in Moab is renowned for its more than 2,000 natural arches, including the famous Delicate Arch.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon, which is situated on the plateau of the Grand Staircase, delights visitors with its tall, think rock spires known as hoodoos.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is also in Moab and boasts dramatic desert landscapes carved by the Colorado River.

Capitol Reef National Park

Right in the heart of red rock country is Capitol Reef National Park. Here you’ll find vast landscapes and sweeping vistas marked with unique features like a geologic monocline (or wrinkle on the earth!)

Zion National Park

Just an hour’s drive from Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park is home to towering sandstone cliffs overlooking lush valleys and breathtaking landscapes. Students will find a rich variety of wildlife and plants, and iconic trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows.

2. Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the U.S. with more than 10 million visitors each year. It’s also one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world – estimated between 200 and 300 million years!

With more than 800 miles of hiking trails, breathtaking waterfalls, and a wide variety of wildlife to explore, the park is the perfect place to practice eco-tourism.

Here you’ll find scenic hikes suitable for all fitness levels, including those with limited mobility. From the Tremont area to the popular Clingmans Dome trail, there are options for everyone to embrace the beauty of the Smoky Mountains.

Don’t forget to pack boxed lunches to picnic in Cades Cove, a pretty little picnic area tucked between Abrams Creek and Green Branch Creek.

Pro Tip: Capture the Moment with a Photography Workshop

Consider including a photography workshop as part of your itinerary. The Smoky Mountains offer a picturesque backdrop, and professional photographers share tips and techniques for capturing the best shots.

It’s a great way for students to document their class trip experience – and what teen doesn’t want a great photo op?!

Ultimate Student Group Adventure Guide for the Smoky Mountains

3. Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park on the border of Montana and Canada has been named the #1 best U.S. National Park by U.S. News & Word Report. It’s a perfect spot for student groups – packed with more than 700 pristine lakes, magnificent waterfalls, towering mountains, and jaw-dropping landscapes.

Of particular note is the Trail of Cedars, a one-mile wheelchair accessible loop that passes through a forest of ancient western red cedars and western hemlocks.

In addition to its natural beauty, Glacier National Park is also home to the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road. This National Historic Landmark is a scenic, 50-mile marvel of engineering that takes you through the park and some of its most popular attractions.

Finally, students won’t want to miss the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is the world’s first “international peace park” and features snowcapped mountains, alpine tundra, glacial landforms and rivers, high altitude lakes, several endangered species, and endless beauty.

4. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is a bucket-list trip featuring nearly 1,200 square miles of awe-inspiring views and landscapes. Here students will find colossal sequoia trees that are thousands of years old, thundering waterfalls, daunting cliff faces and incredibly distinct rock formations.

However, most tourists stick to the Yosemite Valley area – which is 8 square miles of the park’s most famous landmarks. One of these is the Half Dome, a rock formation nearly 9,000 feet above sea level that is smooth on three sides but has a sheer vertical face on the fourth.

Another is El Capitan, a granite monolith rising 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and a favorite for experienced climbers and hikers.

5. Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and something everyone should experience at least once. In fact, more than 4 million visitors from around the world descend on the massive canyon each year for an unforgettable adventure.

The Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage site carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. Colorful rock formations and layers make up its roughly 277 river miles length, 18 miles width, and one mile depth.

The South Rim of the canyon is the most popular spot for sightseers and hikers. The Grand Canyon Village and Railway is here, along with heavily traveled Bright Angel Trail.

If your group is seeking a more secluded escape, head to the North Rim. Here you can camp and hike in the splendor of your surroundings – or stay at the lodge if you prefer!

6. Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is a perfect place for a class trip. Surrounded by the majestic, white-topped peaks of the Teton Range and dotted with glittering lakes, this park will steal your collective breaths!

Each season at Grand Teton is an opportunity to embrace Mother Nature’s grandeur. When the weather is warm, explore endless trails with secret waterfalls or stunning vistas around every corner. Kayak or raft the Snake River – or simply blissfully float as it carries you along.

Autumn brings an abundance of wildlife like moose, antelope, and bison into the open spaces, along with the brilliantly beautiful golden colors of the cottonwoods and aspens.

During winter months, snowshoe or ski through pristine, crystalline landscapes under a deep blue sky. For the more adventurous travelers, try a thrilling snowmobile or dog-sledding expedition!

Other highlights for class trips include spectacular Jenny and Jackson Lakes, Mormon Row Historic District, Menors Ferry Historic District, Schwabacher Landing, Oxbow Bend, and Snake River Overlook.

7. Yellowstone

As mentioned above, President Ulysses S. Grant established Yellowstone National Park on March 1, 1872, making it the world’s first national park. In 1883, the arrival of the railroad made Yellowstone accessible to visitors – and they’ve been enjoying it ever since!

The most popular attraction at Yellowstone National Park is iconic Old Faithful, one of nearly 500 geysers at the park. This cone geyser spews 3,700 – 8,400 gallons of boiling water roughly 20 times per day (averaging 90 minutes between eruptions.)

In addition, majestic Yellowstone boasts vibrant meadows, deep canyons, beautiful lakes, and diverse wildlife perfect for the nature enthusiasts in your group.

8. Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is 47,000 acres of beauty known as the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast.” It’s one of the ten most visited national parks in the U.S. with more than 4 million guests each year.

Most of Acadia is on Mount Desert Island, just off the coast of Maine. Activities of note here include kayaking, exploring tidepools, rock climbing, hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

For groups looking for a more relaxing experience, check out natural phenomena like Otter Cliff, or explore the culture of the indigenous Wabanaki people who have lived on this land for more than 10,000 years.

The best time to visit Acadia National Park? Bring your student group in early October for the most spectacularly vibrant leaf peeping!

9. Everglades National Park

The Everglades at the southern tip of Florida is unique among the national parks. It’s the largest subtropical natural park in the U.S. and in 1979 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Everglades National Park is more than 1.5 million acres of one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. It includes sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, freshwater prairies, and a host of endangered animals like the West Indian manatee and Florida panther.

There are several key spots you won’t want to miss. These include Royal Palm State Park and the Historic Nike Missile Site HM-69, Shark Valley (there’s an amazing tram tour!), Anhinga Trail, and the Guy Bradley Visitor Center in Flamingo.

Other must dos while your class is here? The April Dark Sky Celebration, a thrilling airboat tour of the mangroves, a ranger-led wildlife tour, and a hike. Many of the 37 hiking trails are easily walkable and perfect for observing the area’s creatures and habitats (think alligators and crocodiles!)

There are so many fabulous group activities to enjoy in the Everglades that you should plan to spend at least 2-3 days… but don’t forget your insect repellant!

Plan Your Park Trip with a Pro

This post is just a quick peek into our student favorites. If you want to find out more or have another park in mind, contact Kaleidoscope Adventures to get started!

For more than 30 years, Kaleidoscope Adventures has been the conduit for travel experiences that teach, inspire, encourage, and allow students to explore the world around them. Our pro team has countless ideas for a trip that’s just right for you.

We make it easy SO easy to plan your national park class trip…

Expert planning team
Online registration and payments
Convenient crowdfunding options
Impeccable customer service from start to finish

In addition, be sure to check out the new NPS App. It’s the National Park Service’s official app with tools to explore more than 400 national parks across the U.S. – including our top picks!