February is considered to be one of the most romantic months of the year. Not only do we have Valentine’s Day, but it is one of the most coldest months for us to snuggle up to the one we love.
5 Romantic National Parks in the United States
In honor of this month, I wanted to take the time to reflect on 5 National Parks that we consider to be the most romantic in the United States. These are in no particular order, and we’ve only written about the ones we’ve been to. These have been chosen based on our experience which has influenced our decision to name them as “romantic”. As some of you know, our goal is to visit ALL of the National Parks in the U.S. and we are almost there!
Do you have a recommendation of a National Park that you feel is even more romantic than these? Be sure to comment below after reading!
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
I knew this one was going to make the list after months and months of planning our trip to this beautiful park. We just returned from our Knoxville adventures about a week ago where we visited friends and hiked The Great Smoky Mountains. I had bought tickets to go on this trip for Shane for his birthday in January! It was a beautiful weekend with sunshine and 60 degree weather – something we don’t get in Upstate New York this time of year!
We only had a few hours to tour the park, and some of the trails and the usual tourist spots were closed for the winter season. So, we started our tour hiking the Laurel Falls trail. This hike was only about 3 miles round trip curving around a mountain to reach the top of the falls. The hike was worth it not only to see the beautiful falls, but the epic mountain views.
After hiking the Laurel Falls Trail, we drove up to the NewFound Gap Overlook. This was a great spot to not only stand in Tennessee, but to step foot on the line of North Carolina and hike a section of the famous Appalachian Trail.
Mammoth Cave National Park
This National Park resides in Kentucky which we visited while we were living in Nashville as it wasn’t a far drive. It was a great Saturday date to go cave exploring and hike some trails that overlook the Green and Nolin River. The perfect escape from the bustling city. I wish we had a chance to go spelunking, which this park offers for a fee, something we hope to get to do in the near future. This place is for the adventure couple where you can spend hours touring different caves and subterranean passageways.
Each cave features different views from waterfall-like formations to ceilings covered with 19th century signatures. If you get bored exploring the caves (which you won’t), you can also go hiking to find the sink holes of Cedar Sink. There are a number of hiking trails through the woods and along the river where you can have a romantic picnic with your loved one.
Shenandoah National Park
We’ve written about this National Park before to tell about our experience visiting it at sunrise. See the post here. It was an epic sight to see at such a quiet and peaceful time of the day. We spent the night at a nearby hotel and woke up early to drive down Skyline Drive. Once we entered the park from the Elkton Entrance, we parked the Mustang and watched the sunrise together while snapping gorgeous photos and watching the deer frolic around about 10 feet away from us. I remember it being so peaceful and quiet, we felt we had to whisper. It was the perfect time of day to visit the park when no one else was around. The perfect time to enjoy it, just us.
Once the sun had rose, we continued to drive down Skyline Drive heading North back home. We made sure to stop at many overlooks to take in the sights. It was a romantic drive that we will never forget.
Zion National Park
For the adventurous couples, take the daring hike up to the top of Angel’s Landing or sift through the Narrows. If you aren’t feeling that adventurous, Zion National Park is also a great park to take the tram and stop at small hiking trails to experience the nature and wildlife.
We visited Zion a few years ago during our cross-country road trip. It was my second time, but Shane’s first time visiting this epic National Park. We hiked a few trails to take in the sights and as soon as we were heading to the Narrows, it started to storm and hail. We took cover under a large rock with a few other people until the storm subsided. We left soon after as it’s not a park you want to be in when it storms as the canyons can flood quickly.
However, even during our short time at the park, it’s a place we will never forget. The mountains and canyons offer a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. We found ourselves hiking while holding hands and kissing under waterfalls.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
I know this isn’t technically a “National Park”, but it is a National Monument, so close enough! This place made the list because we really enjoy non-touristy places and also places that aren’t overly crowded. Sunset Crater is a place I remember visiting when I was a kid and was fascinated that a volcano erupted about 900 years ago, and it’s remains still cover the grounds of the park. Visiting this park 15 years later did not let down my memories from way back then.
We visited later in the day when entering the park was free and we were one of the only ones hiking and driving in the park. We didn’t have to deal with crowds and it was nice to spend time absolutely alone. I love this Arizona treasure, and I loved even more showing it to Shane for him to fall in love with it, too.
What park do you think is the most romantic one you’ve been to? Comment below! We would love to see your answers.
My partner and I have friends in Clarksville which is not too far from Nashville I think, I’ll have to check the map. But I’d love to spend some time at Mammoth National Park the two of us this summer if it’s not too far away.
We’re keen hikers and there’s so many to choose from in terms of recommending a romantic hike…but I’d say the most recent one was the Eiger trail in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland during the summer.
I”ll stop by when we get back from the States and let you know what we thought of Mammoth…Thanks for sharing
I’m kind of jealous of all of your adventures!
lovely.
I never really thought national parks as ‘romantic’ since I traveled through many of them, camping, as a child with my family! But I need to revisit some of them with my husband so that I can have a totally different perspective and appreciation! I loved Zion too. My favorite one, which I always thought there is something ‘romantic’ about it, is (sorry this is a National Historical Park, and double sorry that it’s in Hawaii!) A Place of Refuge (Pu’uhonua O Honaunau) on the Big Island.
Wow, your photos are fantastic and very inspiring! I haven’t been to any of these national parks. Maybe I can bring my dog this summer as my date! Lovely blog!
Dogs always make great dates. 🙂
Smokies are my fave! And you were brave to get out there in the snow. Snow is not well traveled in those areas!
What a fun lifestyle! And beautiful pictures. Makes me want to take a trip!
Wow. Zion National Park looks amazing. And actually all of these parks! Thank you for sharing
These pictures are beautiful!
I have only been to one on your list, Great Smoky Mountain National Park and can’t imagine anything more romantic than it is. They all look beautiful though. Great pictures!
Beautiful photos. We are looking into a National Parks pass. Hubby just retired and we are planning our USA trips! Thanks for sharing.
We have a National Park pass. It’s really great if you plan on visiting multiple parks in a year. It makes it worth the cost!
Great list of parks. I’ve only visited Mammoth Cave National Park. It was a family trip with husband and three kids. We spent a several days in the area, camping and exploring. Mammoth Cave was amazing!
Zion has been on my bucket list for a few years! I really to make a plan as it always seems so amazing when I read about it.
Zion is one of my favorites!! It’s so beautiful and unique.
What a fun post! I definitely want to make it to Zions one day!
My dad took me to Shenandoah when I graduated high school! What great memories. I remember waking up to fog all around my feet. And the sunrise was amazing!
What lovely parks! Our hikes are much more tame (in other words, we are not as adventurous) than yours, but these look beautiful!
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Zions is one of my favorites! I loved the Canyonlands, Arches and Bryce..they are all so close to each other I couldn’t resist!
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These look like awesome places, I’d love to see them someday!
That’s so cool! I never would have thought to connect romance with national parks, but it makes so much sense! So much romance, especially when traveling alone.
Oh we LOVE National Park getaways too! Such a wonderful way to see so much of America 🙂
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I live in Arizona and have never been to Sunset Crater – LOL. My hubby and I love to hike and we have a bucket list trip in mind heading North to Zions, the Tetons, and other places up to Banff Canada in a couple of years. I can’t wait! So far, my favorite romantic hikes have been in Oregon, Silver Falls, where there a 10+ beautiful water falls and a hike in Tamanawas Falls, Mount Hood – they were beautiful!
All of that sounds incredible, but you must go to Sunset Crater. Be sure to go around 4pm or 5pm when the rush is over and it doesn’t cost anything to get in.
I’m actually a little embarassed. With all of our travels across country, we haven’t been to any of these parks. (hangs head in shame). Something is going to have to be done about that – hmmmm…… PS – your pictures are fabulous!
Awe you are too sweet! Thank you so much! I hope you get to one of these parks someday.
I live very close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I NEVER get tired of its beauty. The wildlife and gorgeous mountain views are like none other. There’s never a bad time to visit because each season brings out its own kind of beauty. Visit – you won’t regret it.
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