National parks are a beautiful place to visit this summer where you can enjoy nature and disconnect from the hustle of your busy daily life.
House swapping provides safe, private, inexpensive accommodations for travelers looking for a trusted place to stay during their exploration of the natural beauty the United States has to offer.
If you're not yet ready to travel, you can explore the parks virtually through online galleries of photos, videos, live webcams, podcasts, and sound recordings. But if you're hoping to road trip to a national park this summer, here are a few that are beginning to reopen, all with nearby home exchanges you can stay in during your journey.
Everglades National Park
Whether you're boating or taking a guided tour, the Everglades in Florida will not fail to wow you. The Everglades are the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, covering 1.5 million acres. You'll have the chance to see hundreds of animal species, including the manatee, crocodile, panther, and leatherback turtle.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is in its first phase of reopening, so visitors can begin to again enjoy the landscape's hot springs, geysers, mudpots and fumaroles. This Wyoming national park is home to the legendary geyser Old Faithful, volcanoes, and plenty of space for boating and fishing.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite, located in California, is famous for its waterfalls (boasting one of the world's tallest!), but also has a stunning array of deep valleys, meadows, sequoia trees, wilderness, and wildlife. Camping is popular in Yosemite, but the shuttle makes it easy to get around the park if you're staying nearby.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island is the 37-mile long barrier island located in Maryland and Virginia. It is well-known for its wild horses which can be viewed from a distance in their natural habitat. You can also explore the beach, salt marshes, maritime forests, and bays, enjoying a truly relaxing vacation by the ocean.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park in Utah contains more than 2,000 unique, beautiful natural stone arches. The red rock formations, trails, and sunsets make this national park one you don't want to miss. Don't miss another awesome geological formation: Balanced Rock, a huge rock that rests on a narrow pillar, seemingly defying gravity.
Glacier Bay National Park
In southeast Alaska, be prepared to be amazed when you take in the natural beauty of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The park stretches over 3.3 million acres and is home to mountains, glaciers, rainforest, fjords, and endless discovery. The scenery and solitude make this national park unique and unforgettable.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado has an impressive array of wildlife, from lynx and wolverines to black bear and elk. The mountains provide miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, and lakes, with options for every activity level, plus museums that will keep the trip educational as well as inspirational.
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, located just a few hours outside Washington D.C., offers serene landscapes of woods, waterfalls, wildflowers, and wildlife. Explore Skyline Drive and drive along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with 69 scenic overlooks and plenty of recreational opportunities along the way.
