On the eastern side of the Sierra—just behind Yosemite National Park—sits the town of Bishop, “a small town with a big backyard”. The town is chock-full of great restaurants, shops, fascinating museums, and mountain views in every direction. During the hot summer months, outdoor recreationalists flock to the high peaks. Throughout the winter, though, the options for outdoor activities really open up.
There are many reasons you may want your national park vacation to take you really close to nature. Perhaps you’re an adventurer at heart, and you long to explore freely. Or maybe you’re growing weary of this fast-paced world, and you want a vacation that will help you slow down. Any one of these options should do the trick. For parks that will fully immerse you in the natural world, look no further. Here come our 5 suggestions for an amazing, close to nature experience.
Need some help planning your national park road trip? We’ve compiled a complete list of U.S. national parks by state and territory. Check them off one-by-one or build a multi-park extravaganza! If you need help planning, be sure to browse our helpful road trip itineraries which include maps and more!