You don’t need to be a hardcore hiker to experience America’s national parks. In fact, some of the most spectacular views and memorable moments are accessible right from your car window or just a few steps from the parking lot.
I’ve spent years visiting national parks, sometimes with family members who can’t handle long hikes, and I’ve learned that limited mobility doesn’t mean limited experiences. From wheelchair-friendly boardwalks to scenic drives that rival any backcountry trail, our national parks are more accessible than most people think.
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12 Easy Ways to Enjoy US National Parks Without Hiking
➡️ Read More: 15 Best and Worst US National Parks for Non-Hikers
Here are 12 ways that non-hikers can enjoy US national parks.
Table of Contents
1. Scenic Roads and Viewpoints
You don’t need to hike to take in many of the best views at America’s national parks. Some of the most stunning vistas are right outside your car window!
Yellowstone stands out as one of the best parks for non-hikers, with its road system giving you front-row seats to amazing geysers and wildlife. You can pull over at numerous spots to watch Old Faithful or see bison roaming the valleys. The park’s Grand Loop Road takes you right to the major attractions without breaking a sweat.
➡️ Yellowstone National Park Guide
In Yosemite, the 11-mile Yosemite Valley Drive takes you past jaw-dropping landmarks like El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall. Keep your camera ready – the pullouts offer perfect photo spots. I love heading out early when morning light hits the granite walls.
➡️ Yosemite National Park Guide
For coastal charm, Acadia‘s Park Loop Road can’t be beat. You’ll cruise past rocky beaches, dense forests, and crystal-clear lakes. Stop at Thunder Hole during high tide to watch waves crash into the natural inlet. The road is especially pretty in fall when the leaves change colors.
Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park offers incredible mountain views from your car. You’ll see towering peaks, waterfalls, and mountain goats while staying comfortable in your vehicle. The road climbs through the heart of the park, with plenty of pullouts for photos and wildlife watching.
➡️ Glacier National Park Reservations
➡️ Glacier National Park Guide
Read More:
➡️ Scenic Drives in US National Parks
➡️ Grand Teton Scenic Drive
➡️ ️Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
➡️ Arches Scenic Drive
➡️ Best Yellowstone Scenic Drives
➡️ Best Overlooks on Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive
➡️ Olympic’s Lake Quinault Loop Drive
2. Easy Access Trails and Boardwalks
You can get out of your vehicle and still enjoy many of the she sweetest spots in our national parks without hiking. If you’re using a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, or just prefer an easy walk, you’ll find plenty of accessible national park activities.
Congaree National Park‘s 2.4-mile elevated boardwalk loop lets you get up close with towering old-growth trees without worrying about muddy trails. The boardwalk gives you a perfect view of the forest canopy – YOu can even spot owls and woodpeckers right from the path!
At Mammoth Cave National Park, you can join cave tours designed for all abilities. The paved surface trails above ground wind through Kentucky woodlands, making it easy to spot wildlife.
In Zion National Park, the Pa’rus Trail offers a paved path along the Virgin River. It’s perfect for strollers and wheelchairs, and you’ll get amazing views of the towering red cliffs. The trail is flat and wide, making it ideal for taking your time and enjoying the scenery.
➡️ Zion National Park Guide
➡️ Easy Hikes in Zion National Park
3. Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
You don’t need to walk far to see incredible wildlife in many national parks.
Yellowstone National Park is known as “America’s Serengeti” because you can watch wolves, bears, and herds of bison right from your car. Early morning and dusk are the best times to park at pullouts and scan the valley with binoculars. Head to Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley, where you can pull right up to the action. I love parking at one of the turnouts and watching bison herds roam the grasslands. Bring binoculars – you might spot wolves or bears in the distance!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park‘s Cades Cove Loop Road is an 11-mile drive where you can spot black bears, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys from your vehicle. The road is especially good for wildlife viewing in early morning or late afternoon.
➡️ Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guide
The Everglades offers easy wildlife spotting too. Their wheelchair-friendly boardwalks and viewing platforms put you right next to alligators sunning themselves. Take a boat tour through the mangroves, and you’ll see herons, egrets, and maybe even a manatee swimming by.
At Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the scenic drive loops give you front-row seats to prairie wildlife. I’ve watched wild horses gallop across the badlands and prairie dogs pop up from their burrows – all from my car! The best times for viewing are early morning or late afternoon when animals are most active. Stop at the visitor center first to get tips on recent wildlife sightings.
➡️ Best National Parks for Wildlife Viewing
➡️ Wildlife Watching Tips
4. Boat Tours and Water Activities
Want to experience national parks from the water? You don’t need to walk a mile to see amazing sights! There are several ways to get on to and into water in the national parks.
Boat Tours
Instead of hiking, try a boat tour on Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. The 1-hour ride gives you stunning views of the Teton Range without any walking required. guides. The expert guide will teach you about the history and geology of the area as well as the flora and fauna around the lake. You can also enjoy a picnic by the lake before or after with the mountains as your backdrop.
➡️ Book a Jenny Lake Scenic Cruise
At Glacier Bay National Park, hop on a boat tour to glide past massive glaciers and spot whales breaching the surface. The 7-hour tour boat leaves Bartlett Cove and travels 130 miles through Glacier Bay daily in summer. I love sitting on deck with a warm drink, watching harbor seals lounge on ice floes.
➡️ Book a Glacier Bay Boat Tour
Acadia National Park offers scenic boat tours that take you around the rugged coastline and picturesque islands. You’ll get to see lighthouses, seals, and maybe even some puffins, all while relaxing on the boat.
Snorkeling
At Dry Tortugas National Park, most of the park is underwater. Take the ferry from Key West and spend the day snorkeling right off the beach or touring Fort Jefferson. The crystal-clear waters let you see tropical fish and coral reefs with minimal physical effort.
➡️ Book a ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park
In Biscayne National Park, the shallow waters are perfect for snorkeling. The park’s Maritime Heritage Trail features shipwrecks and vibrant coral reefs. Even beginners can enjoy the underwater scenery with minimal effort, and rangers are available to provide quick lessons.
➡️ Book a Biscayne Bay Snorkeling Trip
Kayaking/Canoeing
Acadia National Park offers serene kayaking in its bays. You can paddle along the coastline, exploring hidden coves and observing marine wildlife. The calm waters make it accessible for everyone.
➡️ Book a guided sea kayaking tour at Acadia National Park
In Channel Islands National Park, kayaking through sea caves is an unforgettable experience. The guided tours provide all the equipment you need and ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure through the stunning marine environments.
➡️ Book a guided sea caves kayaking tour in Channel Islands National Park
Voyageurs National Park is all about getting on the water. You can rent a pontoon boat or join a guided tour to fish, spot eagles, and check out tiny islands. The interconnected waterways make it easy to see lots of the park without walking. In summer, I like taking evening boat rides to watch the sunset reflect off the calm water. The visitor center staff will help you pick the perfect water activity for your comfort level.
➡️ Rent a kayak at Voyageurs National Park
Rafting
For those looking for a bit more excitement, Grand Canyon National Park offers motorized white-water rafting trips on the Colorado River. These tours allow you to experience the power of the river while still being accessible to all skill levels.
➡️ Read my guide to Grand Canyon River Rafting
If you prefer a more relaxed experience, try a river float trip in Big Bend National Park. The gentle waters of the Rio Grande provide a peaceful way to enjoy the park’s stunning desert landscapes and canyon views.
➡️ Book a Rio Grande float trip at Big Bend National Park
5. Ranger-Led Programs and Educational Activities
Want to learn cool stuff about national parks without breaking a sweat? The rangers have got you covered!
At Yosemite Valley, you can learn about the park’s geology, wildlife, and history while sitting comfortably indoors. Rangers often give presentations about bears, wildflowers, and park history that don’t require any walking.
Death Valley‘s ranger-led stargazing programs let you experience the park’s dark skies from convenient locations near parking areas. You’ll learn about constellations and get to use telescopes while staying close to your vehicle.
➡️ Death Valley National Park Guide
Over at Bryce Canyon, the night sky comes alive during ranger-led astronomy programs. They set up huge telescopes so you can see planets and star clusters. The guided night walks are super easy – just stick to flat, paved areas while learning about nocturnal animals and stargazing.
➡️ Bryce Canyon National Park Guide
Petrified Forest National Park offers some of my favorite educational programs. You can sit in on fossil talks where rangers show real specimens and explain how trees turned to stone millions of years ago. The indoor museum programs are perfect when it’s hot outside, and you’ll still learn tons about the park’s history. Plus, the air conditioning feels great after being in the Arizona sun!
6. Visitor Centers and Museums
National park visitor centers pack in tons of fascinating exhibits – all in climate-controlled comfort!
The Yavapai Museum of Geology at Grand Canyon sits right on the rim with massive windows framing the colorful layers below. I love grabbing a seat by the glass and watching the light change across the canyon while learning about its rock formations.
➡️ Grand Canyon National Park Guide
At Yellowstone‘s Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, you’ll get the perfect introduction to the park’s bubbling features. Time your visit right, and you can watch Old Faithful erupt from the indoor viewing area. The interactive displays show how geysers work, and the theater plays short films about the park’s volcanic history.
Sequoia National Park‘s Giant Forest Museum teaches you all about the world’s biggest trees without walking deep into the grove. The exhibits explain how giant sequoias grow so tall and survive forest fires.
My favorite part is the cross-section of an ancient tree showing historical events that happened during its lifetime. The museum’s shady porch makes a great spot to rest while watching birds flit through nearby branches.
➡️ Sequoia National Park Guide
7. Dining
National park dining isn’t all hot dogs and trail mix! Some parks offer amazing meals with views you won’t find anywhere else.
At Jenny Lake Lodge dining in Grand Teton National Park, you can enjoy a five-course dinner while looking out at jagged peaks. The service is top-notch, and they use local ingredients to create seasonal menus. I always try to grab a window table to watch the sunset light up the mountains.
➡️ Grand Teton National Park Guide
The North Rim of Grand Canyon serves up meals with million-dollar views. The lodge’s dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the canyon. It’s worth planning ahead for dinner reservations. Watching the colors change across the canyon while eating regional specialties was one of my favorite experiences at the North Rim. Try to time your reservation with sunset – it was sensational when I was there.
Old Faithful Inn’s dining room in Yellowstone shows off classic national park architecture with its massive log beams and stone fireplaces. The breakfast buffet here is my favorite – nothing beats starting your day with fresh waffles in this old-world dining rooms. The historic dining room makes you feel like you’ve stepped back to the early days of park tourism
8. Carriage and Horse Rides
Want to see national parks at a slower pace? Hop on a horse or carriage!
At Shenandoah National Park guided horseback rides wind through peaceful Virginia woodlands. The stables offer rides for all skill levels – even if you’ve never been on a horse before. The guides match you with a gentle mount and teach you the basics before heading out.
➡️ Shenandoah National Park Guide
Down at Bryce Canyon, mule rides take you right into the heart of those orange-and-white rock formations. I love seeing the hoodoos from this unique angle – the views are totally different from the rim. The steady mules know these trails by heart, so you can relax and take in the scenery.
➡️ Book a horseback riding tour at Bryce Canyon
For something really special, try Acadia National Park‘s horse-drawn carriage rides. You’ll clip-clop along historic carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. The restored carriages are super comfy, and the drivers share stories about the park’s history. My favorite route goes past stone bridges and crystal-clear lakes. In fall, the changing leaves make it extra pretty. There are one- and two-hour options.
➡️ Check out the different Acadia carriage rides available
9. Shuttles and Bus Tours
Getting around national parks is a breeze with comfortable bus tours and free shuttles!
At Glacier National Park, the famous Red Bus Tours roll through the mountains in vintage 1930s vehicles. These bright red buses have roll-back tops, so you’ll feel the mountain breeze while your driver shares stories about the park’s history. You’ll love sitting back in these classic rides while spotting mountain goats on the cliffs above.
The Grand Canyon‘s free shuttle system makes it easy to hit all the South Rim viewpoints. The buses run every 15-20 minutes, and you can hop on and off wherever you want. It’s way better than fighting for parking at busy overlooks!
Zion National Park‘s shuttle drivers double as tour guides, pointing out landmarks and wildlife as you cruise through the canyon. The narration helps you understand what you’re seeing, from towering sandstone cliffs to hanging gardens.
Pro tip: grab a seat on the right side heading into the canyon for the best views of the peaks. The air-conditioned buses are especially welcome during hot summer afternoons.
10. Historical and Cultural Sites
Some of the best national park scenic drives let you step right into America’s story.
At Mesa Verde National Park, you can view the incredible ancient Pueblo homes built into cliff walls. The park’s paved walking paths and overlooks give you perfect views of these 800-year-old dwellings. I love taking the ranger-led tours – they point out details I would’ve missed on my own!
➡️ Mesa Verde National Park Guide
In Philadelphia, Independence National Historical Park packs centuries of American history into a few city blocks. The Liberty Bell Center is totally wheelchair-accessible, and you can get up close to this famous symbol of freedom. Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed, offers guided tours with plenty of seating.
Gettysburg National Military Park makes Civil War history come alive through their excellent visitor center exhibits and battlefield bus tours. The air-conditioned museum features artifacts and interactive displays, while the bus tours take you to key battle sites with expert guides explaining the action. I recommend starting at the visitor center theater – their film gives you a great overview before heading out to see the actual locations.
11. Scenic Train Rides
All aboard for amazing national park scenic drives – no hiking required!
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad winds through Ohio’s prettiest spots. The comfy passenger cars give you perfect views of forests, wetlands, and historic towns. In fall, the changing leaves put on quite a show right outside your window.
➡️ Book the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Want to arrive at the Grand Canyon in style? The Grand Canyon Railway takes you from Williams, Arizona right to the South Rim. The restored vintage cars make the trip special – I love relaxing in the observation car while watching the landscape change from pine forests to desert. The staff tells fun stories about train robberies and early canyon visitors along the way.
➡️ Get the Grand Canyon Railway tickets
Up in Alaska, the railroad through Denali National Park lets you see wild places you can’t reach by car. The glass-domed cars give you amazing views of mountains, rivers, and maybe even moose or bears. I’ve spotted caribou right from my seat! The conductors slow down at the best photo spots and point out wildlife. It’s the perfect way to see Alaska’s backcountry while staying cozy.
➡️ Check out the Denali Star train trip between Anchorage and Fairbanks
12. Scenic Flights and Helicopter Tours
Want to see national parks without getting your feet dirty? Take to the skies!
At Grand Canyon National Park, helicopter tours show you the massive scale of this natural wonder. Flying through the canyon gives you views most visitors never see. I love watching the morning light paint the rocks in shades of pink and orange from above.
➡️ Book a scenic helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon
Up in Glacier National Park, helicopter flights take you right past snow-covered peaks and hanging valleys. You’ll spot mountain goats on narrow ledges and maybe even see bears wandering through meadows below. The pilots know all the best spots and time flights for perfect lighting.
➡️ Book a scenic flight over Glacier National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers the most dramatic aerial views. Helicopter tours fly you over active volcanic areas where you can watch lava flow into the ocean. It’s incredible seeing steam plumes rise where hot lava meets cold water. The pilots keep you at safe distances while giving you amazing photo chances. I always sit on the left side – that’s usually where you’ll get the best views of geological action. Most tours last about 45 minutes, plenty of time to see the highlights from above.
➡️ Book a helicopter flight over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Final Thoughts
The beauty of US national parks isn’t exclusive to those who can trek for miles. With a bit of planning and knowing where to go, you’ll find countless ways to experience these natural wonders without pushing your physical limits.
Do you have any ways for non-hikers to enjoy national parks? I’d love to hear what you think. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).
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12 Easy Ways to Enjoy US National Parks Without Hiking
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About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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