Dreaming of dramatic landscapes, peaceful seclusion, and epic adventures? A national park honeymoon delivers all this and more.
From glacier-capped peaks and wildflower meadows to sun-drenched deserts and misty forests, America’s national parks offer unforgettable backdrops for romance.
Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, stargazing under velvet skies, or hiking to panoramic vistas hand-in-hand, here are 10 of the best spots for a national park honeymoon plus the top tips you need to know!
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Best National Parks for a Honeymoon
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, with mist-shrouded peaks, dense forests, and over 800 miles of hiking trails.
The diverse landscape ranges from wildflower-filled meadows and ancient hardwood forests to cascading waterfalls and panoramic mountain overlooks.
Popular activities include scenic drives along Clingmans Dome Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway, wildlife spotting in Cades Cove, and hiking the Appalachian Trail.
Spring brings a vibrant bloom of wildflowers, while autumn transforms the park with brilliant foliage. The area’s tranquil, natural beauty makes it perfect for couples seeking a mix of outdoor adventure and peaceful retreat.
Best time to visit: Spring (March – May) for blooming wildflowers; Fall (September – November) for colourful foliage.
How to get there: McGhee Tyson Airport (airport code: TYS) – approximately 40km / 25 miles from the park but you can also fly to Atlanta (ATL) or Charlotte (CLT).
Where to stay: Stay in charming Gatlinburg, Townsend, Bryson or for easy park access. Consider book a secluded luxury cabin for pure national park honeymoon romance or check our our favourite upscale camping at Under Canvas in Pigeon Forge.
2. Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park on Maine’s Mount Desert Island combines rugged coastal scenery with forested trails and pristine lakes.
The park’s dramatic granite cliffs plunge into the Atlantic, while carriage roads and hiking trails wind through pine-scented woods and around glacial lakes.
Don’t miss sunrise from the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the U.S. East Coast, especially in autumn when fall colors ignite the landscape.
Take a scenic drive along Park Loop Road or kayak in Frenchman Bay. Nearby Bar Harbor offers easy access to the park with charming restaurants for delicious lobster dinners after a day exploring. Acadia’s compact size makes exploring incredibly rewarding.
Best time to visit: Summer (July – August) for pleasant weather; early Fall (September) for fewer crowds and vibrant foliage.
How to get there: Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) – is about 8 miles from the park. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is 5 hours (280 miles/ 450kms) up the Maine coast to Acadia.
Where to stay: Base yourself in Bar Harbor for cozy inns and oceanfront B&Bs or the highly rated Bar Harbor Inn – the town is just minutes from Acadia’s scenic drives and coastal trails.
3. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
We’re a little bit obsessed with a Hawaii honeymoon and it’s not short of a great national park (sorry we only had 10 spots Haleakalā National Park!).
You can visit Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island to witness the raw power of nature.
Explore two remarkable volcanoes: Mauna Loa, the world’s largest by volume, and Kīlauea, one of the planet’s most active.
When active, Kīlauea’s glowing lava flows can often be safely viewed from park overlooks along Crater Rim Drive or the dramatic Chain of Craters Road.
Stop at Kealakomo Overlook for sweeping views of ancient lava fields meeting the Pacific Ocean. Hike across solidified lava flows or through native rainforests. The landscapes here are stark, surreal, and utterly unique.
Best time to visit: From April to October when the weather is drier and trails are most accessible.
How to get there: Hilo International Airport (ITO) is just 30 miles / 45 kms but Kona International Airport (KOA) is a an alternative (100 miles / 160kms)
Where to stay: Stay in Volcano Village at Volcano Rainforest Retreat – just minutes from the park entrance.
4. Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is a geological masterpiece, carved over millions of years by the Colorado River.
The South Rim is the most accessible and offers jaw-dropping viewpoints like Mather Point and Desert View.
Hike the Bright Angel Trail for an unforgettable descent into the canyon, or walk the easy Rim Trail for spectacular panoramic vistas. Sunrise and sunset paint the vast landscape in stunning hues.
The North Rim is quieter and more remote, open seasonally from mid-May to October.
The Grand Canyon is the perfect addition (and contrast!) to a Las Vegas honeymoon stop, too.
You can take a helicopter tour for a bird’s-eye view of the canyon’s sheer cliffs and colourful rock layers.
Best time to visit: Spring (April – May) and Autumn / Fall (September – October) for mild weather and fewer visitors.
How to get there: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) is approximately 90 minutes from the South Rim. You can also opt for Las Vegas or Phoenix or (250 miles / 400kms).
Where to stay: For the South Rim, stay in Grand Canyon Village (our fave is Under Canvas Grand Canyon) for the best access; for the quieter North Rim, opt for the Grand Canyon Lodge near the rim’s scenic overlooks.
5. Yosemite National Park
California is not short of incredible national park honeymoon spots – Redwood National park, Joshua Tree National Park, Sequoia National Park.
But one that has out heart is Yosemite National Park – famous for its towering granite cliffs, roaring waterfalls, ancient giant sequoias, and sweeping alpine meadows.
Yosemite Valley showcases icons like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. Glacier Point provides one of the park’s most famous panoramic views.
Hiking is exceptional, from easy walks to the strenuous Mist Trail. Tuolumne Meadows offers serene high-country scenery, while Mariposa Grove holds ancient sequoias.
The landscape transforms dramatically with the seasons, from thundering spring waterfalls to golden autumn meadows. Yosemite’s varied terrain and accessible grandeur make it one of the our dream national park destinations.
Best time to visit: Late Spring (May – June) for waterfalls at peak flow and blooming wildflowers.
How to get there: The closest airport is Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) 60 miles / 100kms from the park. You could also fly to San Francisco (SFO) or Oakland (OAK) approx 170 miles / 270kms
Where to stay: You can stay in Yosemite Valley. Check out Tenaya, Evergreen Lodge or Under Canvas Yosemite (seasonal) for unmatched access to the park.
6. Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park, on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, offers an incredible variety of landscapes in one park.
Explore glacier-capped mountains at Hurricane Ridge, stroll the moss-laden trails of the Hoh Rain Forest, and wander wild Pacific beaches like Ruby and Rialto, dotted with sea stacks and tide pools.
The park’s diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife including elk, bald eagles, and sea otters.
Hiking, kayaking, and scenic drives are popular ways to explore. With over 70 miles of coastline and ancient forests, Olympic feels remote yet accessible. Its dramatic contrasts make it a one-of-a-kind destination for nature lovers.
Combine with Mount Rainier National Park for a best of the north west.
Best time to visit: Summer (June – August) for mild weather and minimal rainfall.
How to get there: Seattle – Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is about 100 miles / 160km to the park’s entrance
Where to stay: Stay in Port Angeles for central access to Olympic National Park’s diverse ecosystems, from mountains to coastlines. Besides camping facilities, Lake Crescent Lodge is the main spot.
7. Utah’s Mighty 5®
Ok we’ve cheated here but it’s OK as this is five national park honeymoon ideas in one!
This unmatched road trip destination takes you through some of America’s most surreal desert landscapes.
Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park make up Utah’s Mighty 5® national parks.
Zion’s sheer sandstone cliffs and slot canyons awe visitors; Bryce Canyon’s otherworldly hoodoo spires; Capitol Reef’s red rock domes and petroglyphs;. Arches 2,000 natural stone arches; Canyonlands vast, rugged canyons and dramatic overlooks are remote and wild.
Hiking, scenic drives, and stargazing are highlights in all five. The parks are clustered close enough for an unforgettable honeymoon road adventure through Southern Utah’s high desert.
Best time to visit: Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) for mild temperatures and fewer crowds.
How to get there: The nearest major airport is Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), about 230 miles / 370 kms from Arches and Canyonlands. Las Vegas (LAS) is also a convenient option, especially for Zion (160 miles / 260 kms) and Bryce Canyon (260 miles / 420 kms).
Where to stay: Base yourself near each park—Moab for Arches and Canyonlands, Springdale for Zion, Bryce Canyon City for Bryce Canyon, and Torrey for Capitol Reef. Consider lodges, glamping at Under Canvas, or stunning bucket list hotels like Amangiri or luxury rentals like LaFave
8. Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is all about dramatic mountain scenery, with over 60 peaks exceeding 12,000 feet.
The park’s diverse landscapes range from alpine tundra and glacier-fed lakes to dense pine forests and wildflower meadows.
Hike the accessible Bear Lake Trail, tackle the challenging Longs Peak (for experienced hikers), or drive Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., offering sweeping panoramic views.
Wildlife spotting is excellent, with frequent sightings of elk, moose, and bighorn sheep. The high elevation creates cool summer temperatures and crystal-clear skies ideal for photography and stargazing.
Best time to visit: Summer (June–September) for warm temperatures, wildflowers, and open Trail Ridge Road.
How to get there: The closest airport is Denver International Airport (DEN), about 75 miles / 120 kms from the park’s eastern entrances at Estes Park.
Where to stay: Stay in Estes Park for easy access to the park’s main entrances and trailheads. Our readers’ favourite is Ponderosa Lodge.
9. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park spans parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. This geothermal wonderland was America’s first national park with famous sights like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Mammoth Hot Springs.
The park’s vast valleys, forests, and rivers teem with wildlife including bison, elk, bears, and wolves, especially in Lamar Valley.
The geysers and hot springs are framed by mountains and dramatic cliffs.
Yellowstone pairs well with nearby Grand Teton National Park, known for its rugged alpine peaks and pristine lakes just south of Yellowstone and Glacier National Park in in Montana’s Rocky Mountains is worth exploring if you have more time.
Together, they form some of the best multi-park honeymoon adventures in the U.S.
Best time to visit: Summer (June–September) for full access to roads, geysers, and wildlife viewing.
How to get there: The closest airport is Yellowstone Airport (WYS) in West Yellowstone, Montana (3 miles / 5 kms from the park entrance). Other good options include Bozeman (BZN), about 90 miles / 145 kms from the North Entrance, Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 60 miles / 100 kms from the South Entrance, and Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA), about 110 miles / 175 kms from the West Entrance.
Where to stay: Gateway towns like West Yellowstone, Gardiner, or Cody are ideal for easy access. If you’re looking for luxury camping, our fave Under Canvas has spots in West and North Yellowstone. Jackson Hole has lots of luxury spots like Four Seasons Resort.
10. Denali National Park
Denali National Park in Alaska is a vast, untamed wilderness dominated by North America’s tallest peak, Denali, standing at 20,310 feet.
Spanning over six million acres, the park features alpine tundra, braided rivers, and taiga forests teeming with wildlife such as grizzly bears, moose, and wolves.
Visitors can explore the park via the 92-mile Denali Park Road, primarily accessible by shuttle bus, or embark on backcountry hikes.
Flightseeing tours from Talkeetna provide aerial views of the majestic landscape. The park is also a prime location for experiencing the Northern Lights during the darker months.
Best time to visit: Mid-June to mid-August for peak wildlife viewing, open park roads, and long daylight hours.
How to get there: The closest major airport is Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), about 120 miles / 190 kms from the park entrance. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) is another option, approximately 240 miles / 385 kms away.
Where to stay: Stay near the park entrance at McKinley Creekside Cabins. For a remote experience, consider fly-in lodges like Kantishna Roadhouse, deep within the park.
Tips for Planning A National Park Honeymoon
Book early
Park lodges, permits, and tours sell out fast—sometimes months ahead. Lock in your plans early and relax knowing you’ve secured the best spots.
Check the NPS
The National Park Service website is the best resource to find out about opening times, road closures and more.
Time it right
Each park has its season. Glacier closes roads in winter; Zion sizzles in summer. Research the best months for your dream spot.
Car vs RV / Camper Van
Unsure whether to rent a car or a camper van? Go for car hire if you prefer staying in lodges or hotels; choose a camper van for more flexibility and the full outdoor experience, especially in parks with scenic campgrounds.
Don’t overdo it
National parks are huge. Trying to cram too much in leads to exhaustion. Focus on quality over quantity and savour every stop.
Dress smart
Layer up! Morning chills, midday heat, and mountain breezes can all happen in a day. Good footwear is a must.
Go offline
Signal? What signal? Download maps and trail info before you arrive. Old-school prep pays off in the wild.
Respect the park
Stick to trails, take your rubbish with you, and admire wildlife from a safe distance. Leave nothing but footprints.
Grab the pass
The America the Beautiful Pass gives you access to 2,000+ U.S. federal sites for a year. A must if visiting multiple parks.
Slow it down
Leave space for spontaneous moments. Watch a sunset, picnic by a lake, or just sit and breathe in the views together.
A national park honeymoon will be packed full of dramatic landscapes, stunning adventures, and peaceful moments in nature you’ll cherish forever.
Whether you explore soaring peaks, or vast desert canyons, these parks are made for couples seeking something extraordinary.
We hope this list has inspired you to start planning your dream national park honeymoon. Let us know where you’re going!
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