You probably already know that the National Park Service offers a range of traditional outdoor recreational activities for visitor enjoyment including bicycling, camping, climbing, equestrianism, fishing, hiking, hunting, swimming, snowshoeing, and more. And you maybe knew that you can find outdoor adventures in cultural and natural resource programs and events such as interpretive ranger talks, live music, theater, and craft demonstrations. But did you know that several national parks also maintain exercise and sports facilities and offer opportunities for golf, tennis, and running?
Many emerging recreational activities, such as stand up paddle-boarding, geocaching, sport climbing, pack-rafting, e-bikes, and electric kick scooters, continue to grow in popularity and use in some national parks, but you should always check the park website to see what activities are allowed.
Explore this page to discover recreational opportunities and trip-planning tools and then search for a park that offers your favorite activities.
Recreational Opportunities
Trip-Planning Tools
Find a Park
Use the advanced search to find a park by activity, state, or topic.
Trip Ideas
Explore a selection of recommended activities designed to help you figure out how to spend your time in parks.
Events
Looking for activities in parks? Check out the event calendar.
Safety
Discover important safety tips to reduce the risk of injury during your visit.
Trip Planning Guide
Discover tips for planning for your trip to national parks and avoiding common mistakes. Make your fun adventure a safe one too!
Recreation.gov
Visit Recreation.gov to make reservations, buy passes, and get permits. Experience America and bring home a story!
America the Beautiful Pass Series
The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Outdoor Ethics & Stewardship
Recreate Responsibly
Join the #RecreateResponsibly movement to protect America's treasures while looking out for each other's health and safety.
Leave No Trace
Follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles to minimize impacts on our natural world.
Partner With Us
Learn more about how to partner with us and how we support and receive support from communities. There are many ways you can get involved.
In the News
Showing results 1-10 of 40
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic Highway closes to through traffic for winter 2024 season
- Locations: Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Date Released: 2024-12-06
Lassen National Park Highway is closed to through traffic for the winter/spring snow season. The park remains open throughout the winter/spring snow season and can be a wonderful time to visit for well-prepared visitors.
- Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Annual Boat Launch Permit Purchasing Change at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
- Locations: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
- Date Released: 2023-12-04
Information on purchasing changes of annual boat launch permits.
- Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Big South Fork Experienced High Visitation in 2022
- Locations: Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
- Date Released: 2023-02-28
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area experienced continued high visitation in 2022. Last year, nearly 800,000 visitors decided to experience the park.
- Big Thicket National Preserve
Hunting Permit Registration Opens September 1, 2022
- Locations: Big Thicket National Preserve
- Date Released: 2022-08-22
Hunting permits for the 2022-23 season will be available at the Big Thicket Visitor Center beginning Thursday, September 1, 2022. All hunters are required to have a valid Texas hunting license. Permits are issued first-come, first-served.
- Big Thicket National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve Celebrates Texas Free Fishing Day
- Locations: Big Thicket National Preserve
- Date Released: 2022-05-31
No fishing license, no problem! Fish for free on Saturday, June 4, as we celebrate Texas Free Fishing Day at the Hwy 327 boat ramp at Village Creek in Silsbee. All are welcome to meet a ranger and learn some fishing skills.
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Memorial Day Holiday Adventures at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Locations: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Date Released: 2022-05-20
Plan you visit to Glen Canyon for Memorial Day weekend.
- Big Thicket National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve Announces New Programs for the New Year
- Locations: Big Thicket National Preserve
- Date Released: 2022-01-12
There's something going on every weekend this winter and spring at Big Thicket! Join a park ranger for free programs, including nature walks and canoe trips. Also, youth groups are invited to join the new Youth Paddling Program for free kayak trips.
- Colonial National Historical Park
Colonial National Historical Park Invites the Community to Parkway Rec Day on October 23
- Locations: Colonial National Historical Park
- Date Released: 2021-10-04
The National Park Service (NPS) at Colonial National Historical Park invites the community to recreate on a seven-mile section of the Colonial Parkway on Saturday, October 23. Park staff will close the Parkway to vehicle access between Hwy 199/Kingspoint and Rt. 359 at Jamestown from 7:00 am-12:00 pm.
- Congaree National Park
National Park Foundation and Partners Celebrate Preservation of Running Creek Property at Congaree National Park
- Locations: Congaree National Park
- Date Released: 2021-09-27
The National Park Foundation, Friends of Congaree Swamp, and Open Space Institute announced the donation of the Running Creek property to Congaree National Park in South Carolina.
- Big Thicket National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve Announces 2021 Summer Programming
- Locations: Big Thicket National Preserve
- Date Released: 2021-05-31
After a year on hiatus due to the pandemic, Big Thicket park rangers are looking forward to leading people on guided walks and canoe trips. All programs are free; some require reservations. Check our calendar for all the dates, times, and program details.
Tags:
recreation
More Information
The National Park Service, through its parks and community assistance programs, is recognized as one of the premier providers of outdoor recreation in the world, offering high quality experiences and world class tourist destinations.
The Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Division provides the National Park Service and local communities across the country with cost effective, partnership-based support in achieving America’s conservation and outdoor recreation goals.
Today, as tourism and destination management grow in scale and complexity, the Tourism Program works with the travel and tourism sector to manage responsible tourism that supports conservation and preservation, provides high-quality visitor experiences, and contributes to community vitality.
Outdoor recreation opportunities allow people to more fully experience our beautiful public lands and waterways. The U.S. Department of the Interior has hundreds of recreation opportunities for you to explore on your public lands in all 50 states and US territories.
Last updated: July 22, 2020