Showcasing videos that celebrate parks and other treasured places and spaces

Parks Channel Programs

A retreat to the forests of Virginia's Shenandoah National Park will revive your mind and spirit.

Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds, and black bear, there's so much to explore. Take a hike on one of the many trails through the park, relax in a quiet meadow, or have a picnic lunch with a view. You can also drive the scenic Skyline Drive for stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley. No matter how you choose to spend your time in Shenandoah National Park, you're sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Shenandoah

Waterfalls and Wildflowers a Short Drive from DC

Darius Nabors shares how he approached making the Parks Madness bracket.

The Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior building in Washington, DC, is the home office of the National Park Service.

National Park Service HQ

PARKS MADNESS 2024

Natural history from ancient times exists beneath the crunch of your boots, in the shadow of a mountain range that is sacred to the Mescalero Apache.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a truly unique place, home to a 400-mile long fossil reef that dates back to the Permian period. This ancient reef is one of the most well-preserved in the world, and provides a rare glimpse into a time when giant reptiles roamed the earth. The park was long home to the Mescalero Apache Tribe, who lived here until the US military drove them out by the 1880s. Today, visitors can enjoy stunning views from Guadalupe Peak, the highest mountain in Texas. The Guadalupe Mountains offer something for everyone, with ample opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. Whether you're interested in geology or history, this national park is sure to impress.

Guadalupe Mountains

Spectacular Vistas and Sacred Mountains in West Texas

No nature lover should miss the Everglades. Florida's iconic national park offers a swamp run to remember.

Everglades National Park is the ultimate wilderness experience. It's the third largest national park in the lower 48 states and home to 200,000 alligators, the elusive Florida panther, and untold numbers of Burmese pythons. The Everglades is also the largest subtropical wilderness in America, making it a great place for biking, canoeing, fresh and saltwater fishing. And be sure to take a ranger-led tour to deepen your experience.

Everglades

These Gators Are Made for Watching (Birds and Manatees Too!)

History, sun, and water brilliantly mix in Dry Tortugas National Park.

Dry Tortugas is a group of small, remote islands located 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. Accessible only by boat or seaplane and renowned for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs, it's a haven for snorkelers and divers. Garden Key is home to beaches and the beautiful 19th-century Fort Jefferson - once used as a Civil War prison. Loggerhead Key has a lighthouse and sea turtles. The Windjammer Wreck, the remains of an 1875 ship, is a popular dive site. The isolation of Dry Tortugas adds to its allure, providing a unique and pristine natural environment.

Dry Tortugas

This Gulf of Mexico Fortress is the Ultimate Snorkeling Destination

In any time of year, this unsung national park in the Ohio River Valley offers a stunning escape.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a natural treasure spanning 33,000 acres of woodlands, waterfalls, rolling hills and open farmland. It is the ancestral home of the Erie, Wyandot and Seneca tribes. The winding Cuyahoga River, notorious for catching fire 13 times in the 20th century due to severe pollution, has since been substantially restored, thanks to the relentless efforts of environmental activists. The Canal Exploration Center is a great place to learn about the history of the Ohio and Erie Canal. Visitors can also take a scenic train ride through the park and see Bridal Veil Falls and Brandywine Falls.

Cuyahoga Valley

Just Outside Cleveland, Enter Another World

Hard to get to but impossible to resist, American Samoa offers a tropical adventure.

The National Park of American Samoa ranges across three of Samoa's stunning islands: Tutuila, Ofu and Ta‘ū. The park not only preserves and protects coral reefs, tropical rainforests, fruit bats and the Samoan culture, but it also allows visitors to experience Samoa in all its glory. Popular activities include hiking and snorkeling, and the Homestay program lets you stay with a Samoan family to truly get an immersive experience. Samoa is also home to amazing views of Pago Pago Harbor and Rainmaker Mountain.

American Samoa

A Jewel in the South Pacific

Extraordinary biodiversity and old-growth forests are prime attractions at Congaree.

Congaree National Park is home to an astonishing variety of plant and animal life. The park's floodplain forest is the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States, and it provides habitat for a wide variety of species. The Congaree and Wateree Rivers that flow through the park support the growth of national and state champion trees, including the tallest tree in North America. Visitors to Congaree National Park can enjoy a variety of activities, such as walking the boardwalk trail, kayaking on Cedar Creek, birdwatching, and fishing. The park's diverse ecosystem is sure to provide an enjoyable and educational experience for all who visit.

Congaree

South Carolina's Wild Wonderland

A visit to Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an awe-inspiring experience.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a geological marvel known for its sheer, dark cliffs and the deep, narrow gorge carved by the Gunnison River over the course of 2 million years. With depths reaching over 2,700 feet and incredibly steep walls, it offers some of the most dramatic and challenging rock climbing routes in the country. Home to a variety of wildlife including yellow-bellied marmots, mule deer and mountain cottontails, the park offers hiking, whitewater rafting and scenic drives. Whether you're looking for an adventure or a chance to simply admire nature's beauty, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is sure to impress.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

2 Million Years of Carving Makes a Helluva Canyon

Its sister park Sequoia gets more photo bombs, but Kings Canyon keeps people coming back for its amazing vistas and charismatic wildlife.

Kings Canyon NP is located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains in eastern California. It is known for its deep canyons, towering peaks, and wide variety of plant and animal life. The park is home to several hundred species of trees, as well as a variety of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Kings Canyon also has a rich human history, dating back thousands of years. Today, the park is a popular destination for hikers, campers, and nature lovers from all over the world.

Kings Canyon

A Glacier-Carved Valley in the Sierra Nevada

Accessible only by seaplane or ferryboat, Isle Royale National Park in Michigan is a bucket-list adventure.

Isle Royale is the perfect destination for those who are looking to get away from it all. This rugged, isolated island is located far from any connected communities, and offers a variety of adventure opportunities for backpackers, hikers, boaters, paddlers, and divers. Isle Royale is the fourth largest lake island in the world, and is home to a diverse array of plant and animal life. The island was once a hunting ground for Chippewa and other Native American tribes, and today it is a popular destination for those seeking to experience a true wilderness adventure. There are no roads or wheeled vehicles allowed on the island, so visitors must be prepared to hike or paddle long distances. However, this isolation is part of what makes Isle Royale so special. If you're looking for an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Isle Royale is the perfect destination for you.

Isle Royale

A Royale Escape to the Wild in Northern Michigan

The soothing effects of thermally heated pools have attracted people to Hot Springs for hundreds of years.

A magnet for Native Americans and 20th century gangsters alike, Hot Springs National Park is a great place to visit for its incredible views, its rich history, and its therapeutic hot springs. The Tunica, Quapaw, Choctaw and Caddo tribes long believed that soaking in the springs would restore health and vitality. Today you can visit nine historic bathhouses, easing into the same warm waters that drew Al Capone and Bugs Moran during the Prohibition era. The park is also a favorite for bird watchers, with a variety of song birds and raptors. Don't miss the view from the Mountain Tower, an open-air deck at 1,256 feet above sea level.