Nature
Parks and seasons worth the trip. Nature near each city, and the national must-sees where a permit, timed entry or lottery has to be booked ahead. Distances are straight-line from the city centre.
Dates the organiser has announced are shown plainly. Expected dates are worked out from past years and set by the calendar ones from the calendar (Mardi Gras is 47 days before Easter); provisional ones come from a source other than the organiser. Date not announced means the organiser hasn't said yet; date not listed yet means we haven't found it. Check the official site before you book. Listed by date, never paid for.
Baton Rouge New Orleans Miami Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Austin Dallas San Francisco Across the US Big events → Atchafalaya Basin at Sherburne Wildlife Management Area
Sherburne Wildlife Management Area, Atchafalaya Basin, near Krotz Springs, LA about 31 mi away (straight line)
Inside the Morganza Floodway; parts of the area close at times, so check the agency’s notices
Booking: Every visitor needs a Louisiana WMA access permit or a qualifying hunting or fishing license
Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area
Tunica Hills WMA, West Feliciana Parish, LA about 40 mi away (straight line)
Closed to most visitors on some youth hunt days; check the agency’s alerts before hiking
Booking: Every visitor needs a Louisiana WMA access permit or a qualifying hunting or fishing license
Lake Martin rookery at Cypress Island Preserve
Cypress Island Preserve (The Nature Conservancy), Lake Martin, near Breaux Bridge, LA about 46 mi away (straight line)
Usually: Thousands of herons, egrets, ibis and spoonbills nest at the rookery each spring
Rookery closed to boats February through July; levee trail and kayak launch closed June through September for alligator nesting
Barataria Preserve, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (Barataria Preserve), Marrero, LA about 12 mi away (straight line)
Visitor center and most trails closed for storm repairs from February 2026, for about two years; the Twin Canals trail and canoe launch stay open
Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge
about 13 mi away (straight line)
Fontainebleau State Park
about 27 mi away (straight line)
Parts of the park flood from time to time
Booking: Cabins and campsites can be reserved ahead through Louisiana State Parks
Biscayne National Park
about 22 mi away (straight line)
Booking: Guided boat, paddle and snorkel trips are run by the park's nonprofit partner and other permitted operators; advance reservations are advised
Everglades National Park
about 35 mi away (straight line)
Usually: Dry season, November to March, usually brings plentiful wildlife and the most ranger programs
Wet season runs April to October, with shorter visitor center hours and fewer ranger programs
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
about 46 mi away (straight line)
Booking: Glass-bottom boat, snorkel and dive trips to the reef run through the park's concessioner; campsites need a reservation
Dry Tortugas National Park
about 185 mi away (straight line)
Reached only by boat or seaplane from Key West; there is no road access
Booking: Reserve the Key West ferry ahead; ferry camping trips must be booked and carry few campers a day. Seaplane trips need reservations
Red River Gorge Geological Area
Red River Gorge, Daniel Boone National Forest, KY about 100 mi away (straight line)
Booking: Cars parked overnight in the gorge need a Forest Service recreation pass
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
about 102 mi away (straight line)
The sky lift runs from early April through late October
Mammoth Cave National Park cave tours
Mammoth Cave National Park, KY about 158 mi away (straight line)
Tour routes and times change by season, and the full schedule may be posted only one to three months ahead
Booking: Cave tours often sell out weeks ahead; reserve tickets in advance because walk-up tickets are not guaranteed
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
about 18 mi away (straight line)
Open every day of the year; Brandywine Falls and the Ledges have limited parking
Kelleys Island State Park and Glacial Grooves
Kelleys Island State Park, Lake Erie, OH about 53 mi away (straight line)
Booking: Reached by privately run car and passenger ferries from Marblehead or Sandusky
Spring warbler migration at Magee Marsh
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor, OH about 78 mi away (straight line)
Usually: Songbird migration peaks in May, when birders fill the raised boardwalk through the swamp woods on the Lake Erie shore
Birding is good all year and best in spring
May 7–16, 2027
Spring warbler migration at Magee Marsh
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor, OH The Biggest Week in American Birding festival, run by Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Hocking Hills State Park
about 44 mi away (straight line)
Usually: Ice formations in winter, wildflowers in spring and leaf color in fall
Many trails are one-way, and winter trails are often icy
Booking: Campsites can be reserved up to six months ahead; the lodge and cabins book separately
Sat, Jan 16, 2027 (provisional)
Hocking Hills State Park
Annual Winter Hike past Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls to Ash Cave; dates from the county visitors bureau
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
about 45 mi away (straight line)
Usually: One of Ohio’s best places for spring wildflowers, including the rare snow trillium
No pets
Hamilton Pool Preserve
about 23 mi away (straight line)
Swimming is not guaranteed (bacteria, falling rock); the preserve can close for flooding
Booking: Reservations are required every day, for a morning or an afternoon slot
Pedernales Falls State Park
about 31 mi away (straight line)
No swimming or wading at the falls; the river can rise to a flood within minutes and trails may close in bad weather
Booking: The park often fills and closes to visitors without passes; reserve day passes ahead
Bracken Cave bat flights
Bracken Cave Preserve (Bat Conservation International), near San Antonio, TX about 54 mi away (straight line)
Usually: Evening bat flight viewings run May to September; July and August are best, when the young bats start flying
Booking: Advance tickets only, none sold at the gate. The schedule posts in March; in 2026 member sales opened April 1 and general sales April 15
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
about 66 mi away (straight line)
Usually: Weekends and holidays are the busiest times
When the park reaches capacity it closes to visitors without reservations
Booking: Reserve a day pass up to 30 days ahead to guarantee entry
Cedar Hill State Park
about 15 mi away (straight line)
The mountain bike trail closes when wet
Booking: The park often fills; reserve a day pass ahead to guarantee entry
Dinosaur Valley State Park
about 70 mi away (straight line)
Dinosaur tracks in the riverbed are not always visible, so check the park’s track report first; trails may close in wet weather
Booking: The park often fills; reserve a day pass ahead to guarantee entry
Caddo Lake State Park
about 152 mi away (straight line)
Busiest from March through November; first freeze usually comes in mid November
Booking: The park often fills; reserve day passes or campsites ahead to guarantee entry
Muir Woods National Monument
about 12 mi away (straight line)
Open every day of the year; hours change by season
Booking: Drivers need a parking reservation and slots often sell out; the shuttle, which mainly runs on summer weekends and holidays, also needs a reservation
Elephant seal season at Point Reyes
Point Reyes National Seashore, CA about 34 mi away (straight line)
Usually: Elephant seals gather most from December through March for pupping and mating; docents staff the overlook on winter weekends and holidays
Drakes Beach areas close Dec 15 to mid June and some Chimney Rock area beaches Dec 15 to Mar 31.
Elephant seal guided walks at Año Nuevo
Año Nuevo State Park, Pescadero, CA about 46 mi away (straight line)
Usually: Breeding season guided walks run daily December 15 to March 31; from April to November viewing is self-guided with a permit
Seeing the seals takes a moderate hike over dunes; no umbrellas, and no strollers in the preserve from December to March
Booking: Winter visits require a guided walk booked through ReserveCalifornia; reservations open on a rolling 56-day window
Yosemite National Park
about 155 mi away (straight line)
Tioga Road snow clearing starts around April 15 and usually takes one to two months; the park says opening dates can't be predicted
Booking: No entry reservation system in 2026. Campground reservations are separate and often take planning
Across the US Book these ahead Expected Mar 1 – Nov 30, 2026
Old Rag day-use tickets, Shenandoah
Shenandoah National Park (Old Rag Mountain), VA
May 20 – Oct 25, 2026
Cadillac Summit Road reservations, Acadia
Acadia National Park, ME Vehicle reservations required for Cadillac Summit Road
May 22 – Oct 19, 2026
Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO Timed entry season; Bear Lake Road through Oct 19, the rest of the park through Oct 13
Oct 1–20, 2026
Angels Landing permits, Zion National Park
Zion National Park, UT Seasonal lottery for hikes Dec 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027; permits issued Oct 25
Expected Feb 1 – Mar 1, 2027
Mount Whitney permit lottery
Mount Whitney Zone, Inyo National Forest, CA
Usually: Applications Feb 1 to Mar 1 for the quota season, May 1 to Nov 1
Expected Mar 1–31, 2027
Half Dome permit lottery, Yosemite
Yosemite National Park, CA
Usually: Applications every March for the cables season, which usually runs late May to mid October
Expected Mar 1 – Nov 30, 2027
Old Rag day-use tickets, Shenandoah
Shenandoah National Park (Old Rag Mountain), VA
Expected Feb 1 – Mar 1, 2028
Mount Whitney permit lottery
Mount Whitney Zone, Inyo National Forest, CA
Usually: Applications Feb 1 to Mar 1 for the quota season, May 1 to Nov 1
Expected Mar 1–31, 2028
Half Dome permit lottery, Yosemite
Yosemite National Park, CA
Usually: Applications every March for the cables season, which usually runs late May to mid October
Expected Mar 1 – Nov 30, 2028
Old Rag day-use tickets, Shenandoah
Shenandoah National Park (Old Rag Mountain), VA
Angels Landing permits, Zion National Park
Zion National Park, UT
A permit is needed to hike past Scout Lookout onto the chained section; reaching Scout Lookout needs no permit
Booking: Apply in the seasonal lottery held before each three-month season, or in the day-before lottery
Arches National Park
Expect entrance lines and full lots on weekends and holidays; rangers may briefly close areas when parking fills
Booking: No timed entry in 2026. Fiery Furnace permits must be booked 2 to 7 days ahead online or by phone; Devils Garden Campground needs reservations
Cadillac Summit Road reservations, Acadia
Acadia National Park, ME
Sunrise and daytime entry windows shift through the season
Booking: Vehicle reservations required in season: 30 percent released 90 days ahead and 70 percent two days ahead
Going-to-the-Sun Road and Logan Pass, Glacier
Glacier National Park, MT
Usually: Logan Pass usually opens between mid June and early July once snow is cleared; the park cannot predict the date
From July 1, 2026, private vehicles at Logan Pass were limited to three hours of parking
Booking: No vehicle reservations in 2026. Shuttle tickets were sold 60 days ahead and the evening before; as of October 2026, 2027 rules were not announced
Grand Canyon backcountry permits
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Overnight hikes below the rim need a permit
Booking: Overnight hikes need a permit. An early access lottery runs from the 16th to the 1st about four months before the start month; open sales follow a month later
Haleakalā sunrise reservations
Haleakalā National Park (summit district), Maui, HI
Booking: Every vehicle entering before sunrise needs a sunrise reservation, year-round; they are released 60 days and 2 days ahead
Half Dome permit lottery, Yosemite
Yosemite National Park, CA
Usually: Applications every March for the cables season, which usually runs late May to mid October
About 300 hikers a day are allowed while the cables are up, roughly 225 day hikers and 75 backpackers
Booking: Results come in mid April; a daily lottery also opens two days before each hike
Horsetail Fall “firefall”, Yosemite
Yosemite National Park (El Capitan, Yosemite Valley), CA
Usually: For a short window each February the setting sun can light Horsetail Fall on El Capitan; in 2026 the park projected Feb 10 to 26, weather permitting
A traffic plan applies: park in eastern Yosemite Valley and walk to viewing areas along a temporary lane on Northside Drive
Booking: No reservation was needed to enter the park for the 2026 viewing period
Mount Whitney permit lottery
Mount Whitney Zone, Inyo National Forest, CA
Usually: Applications Feb 1 to Mar 1 for the quota season, May 1 to Nov 1
Quota season runs May 1 to Nov 1 with daily limits for day hikers and overnight trips
Booking: Results post in mid March; winners confirm by late April, then leftover dates open
Old Rag day-use tickets, Shenandoah
Shenandoah National Park (Old Rag Mountain), VA
Booking: Day-use tickets needed March 1 to November 30: 800 a day, half released 30 days ahead and half 5 days ahead. Season sales start in early February
Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Timed entry covers most of the park from late May to mid October, with longer hours on Bear Lake Road
Booking: Released on the first of each month for the next month; as of October 2026, 2027 plans were not announced
Synchronous fireflies, Great Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Elkmont), TN
Usually: Displays usually fall between late May and mid June; the park sets about eight viewing nights each spring (May 20 to 27 in 2026)
On viewing nights in recent years, Elkmont closed after 4 p.m. to everyone but reservation holders and registered campers
Booking: Vehicle passes are awarded by a short online lottery in late April; winners are notified in May. Each pass covers one vehicle with up to seven people
The Wave (Coyote Buttes North) permits
Coyote Buttes North, Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, AZ (Bureau of Land Management)
Day use only. Permits are issued for every day, but weather and road conditions can make access unsafe, and permits cannot be rescheduled
Booking: 64 people a day: most through an online lottery about four months ahead, drawn on the 1st, the rest through a daily lottery two days ahead
Yellowstone National Park
Usually: Most lodges run from about May or June to early or mid October
Most roads close to regular vehicles from early November to late April; limited oversnow travel runs mid December to mid March
Booking: In-park lodging is booked through the park concessioner and fills fast, so reserve early. In winter, Old Faithful Snow Lodge is reached only by snowcoach or snowmobile
