A National Park Trip Dad Will Never Forget

If your dad gets a thrill out of seeing unique wildlife, there are few places better than Washington's Olympic National Park. The park is composed of four distinct ecosystems, each with its unique assortment of wildlife. The inland valleys and mountains support deer, elk, black bears, and golden eagles, while lowland forest areas are home to beavers, otters, and raccoons. The rivers and lakes within the park are home to a variety of fish and other wildlife swimming from the sea, bringing vital nutrients to the forest. The coast is a vibrant ecosystem, and while June is not the best time for whale watching, you can usually spot seals, sea lions, and dolphins along the shoreline, not to mention the countless colorful creatures in coastal tide pools. Dozens of short trails in the park are perfect for a nature walk, including the 1.2-mile Spruce Nature Trail in the Hoh Rain Forest and the 3-mile round-trip Rialto Beach trail on the coast.

Fishing is a great Father's Day tradition, and wherever you live, chances are a nearby national park is home to a productive lake or stream. One of the very best is New River Gorge National River in West Virginia. The river harbors a diverse fish population, including walleye, muskellunge, catfish, and bluegill, but is most famous for its bass. The New River is one of the best smallmouth bass rivers in the country, and you can find excellent public access points within New River Gorge National River at Sandstone Falls, Tug Creek Beach, and Grandview Sandbar, among others.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park lies along the Cuyahoga River in Ohio, encompassing a quiet landscape of open meadows and shady woods that makes it the perfect setting for a relaxing Father's Day picnic. Whether you're planning a small picnic for just you and your dad or a full-scale family event, the park offers dozens of picnic areas with hundreds of tables and barbecue grills. The Ledges Area is Cuyahoga National Park's largest and most popular picnic area, but you might want to head off the beaten path to one of the smaller and more secluded options, like Horseshoe Pond or Shady Knoll. The park also includes tons of family-friendly activities like canoeing, fishing, bird watching, hiking, and even golf.

If you have the time to stretch your Father's Day celebration over a whole weekend, Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park is a unique spot for you and your dad to spend quality time together. The park is great for hiking and exploring, and you can use the extra time to spend a night or two camping at the park's North Campground or Sunset Campground, with almost 100 sites at each campground. Most sites are tents-only—a few are also open to RVs—and they are all nestled beneath a shady canopy of spruce, Ponderosa, and pinyon pines that starkly contrast against the desert landscape for which the park is known.

If your dad is more of a city guy, a trip to Boston National Historical Park is in order. Not only is it in the heart of one of the nation’s most bustling cities, the history and culture within this national park can’t be found anywhere else. The 43-acre urban historical park encompasses the rich history of the American Revolution, telling stories of our nation’s beginnings. Start your day with the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail^® that leads park visitors around 16 historically significant sites, beginning at Faneuil Hall. This building is known for being the primary gathering space for town meetings in the colonial era, and it was also where Samuel Adams and others protested against the imposition of taxes. From there, make your way through the trail and around the park to explore the cemeteries, museums, meetinghouses, and churches that helped shape our nation.