5 Of The Best National Parks In North America Travelers Can Cruise To

America's greatest idea, the national park system, began with Yellowstone National Park in 1872, and now includes 62 others as well as hundreds of national monuments and forests. The easiest way to see the national parks is generally by a road trip (the RV cliche is alive and well for a reason!), but there's also another way: by cruise. Of course, they are not all reachable by cruise — some of the national parks that are hardest to see are extremely remote — but there are a surprising number that are accessible via cruise ship. Some of these may even be best viewed from the water, where you'll find the most spectacular scenery, a variety of wildlife, and unique vantage points.

Cruises in the United States can be an efficient, exciting, and (sometimes) cost-effective way to visit national parks along rivers, in the Alaskan fjords, or on tropical islands. Some American cruise destinations even allow you to visit multiple national parks on one trip. A few of these national parks may be prominent cruise destinations, but some are downright surprising.

Alaska is notoriously difficult to reach: flights can be expensive, irregular, or unreliable thanks to the wild weather, and the weeklong trip along the Alaska Highway (the Alcan) isn't for the faint of heart — nor for those with weak tires. So, it's not surprising that Alaskan cruises have become one of the most popular ways to visit this great state. Since Alaska is essentially one giant national park, it's also not surprising that cruises tend to include at least one national park on their itinerary. Your cruise along the beautiful Alaska coast may visit Kenai Fjords National Park near Seward, provide an excursion inland to see the mighty Denali National Park, or sail through the waters of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Glacier Bay, in the southeast, is a highlight for any Alaskan cruise (although not all cruises visit this location, so double-check the schedule before booking).

Encompassing 3.3 million acres of pure wilderness, Glacier Bay is famous for its glacial fjords, oceanside glaciers, wide range of wildlife species (both on land and in the water), and its long-standing Indigenous traditions. As you cruise through the waters, watch the nearby glaciers to catch a glimpse of calving (when a piece of the glacier falls into the water), and see the small icebergs floating in the ocean. Watch for local animals like whales, seals, eagles, and even bears as you enjoy the views of the ocean, ice, rainforest, and mountains.

The picturesque shores and lakes of Acadia National Park in Maine receive about 4 million visitors annually, making it one of the most-visited national parks in the United States. Thanks to recent caps on the number of cruise ships that can enter the harbor and cruise passengers that can go ashore, about 100,000 of these visitors arrive by cruise. That is to say, Acadia has been discovered and is safely ensconced on the list of the top 100 most popular American tourist destinations.

Acadia, or the "Crown Jewel of the Atlantic Coast," is popular for good reason. The autumnal foliage, the rocky Maine coast of Mount Desert Island, the charming main town of Bar Harbor, and the many trails all combine in one delightful package. Most Canada and New England cruises stop in Bar Harbor, whether you're cruising along the American coast or heading down the St. Lawrence River into Canada, so chances are good it will be on your Northeast itinerary. 

Islands and cruises just make sense. And this is especially true when it comes to exploring the 50th state, Hawaii. Hawaii comprises eight main islands and over 100 smaller islands and islets (some uninhabited and some owned privately). Island-hopping isn't easy, as there isn't a state-run ferry service in Hawaii, with the exception of the Maui-Lanai ferry. Although several tour companies allow you to visit multiple islands on a day trip, why not spend more time docked at each island? The Hawaiian islands are quite diverse, and each island is full of its own charm, traditions, towns, sites, and, in some cases, its own climate. It can be challenging to pick the perfect Hawaiian island for your visit, so why not cruise and see more than one?

Hawaiian cruises can also be an ideal way to visit one of Hawaii's two national parks: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Depending on the volcanic conditions, it's possible to see lava from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park flow directly into the ocean — a phenomenon that is best viewed by boat. A once-in-a-lifetime sight, for sure! It's also worth disembarking to explore the trails crisscrossing the park, to truly immerse yourself in the unique scenery. Hike along the edge of a caldera, across a colorful field of sulfur banks, through the rainforest to an ancient lava tube, and take in views of Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on the planet.

Most national parks are in states, not United States territories, except for two: the National Park of American Samoa and the Virgin Islands National Park. Located on the island of St. John, Virgin Islands National Park makes up about two-thirds of the island, in addition to 5,650 acres of protected marine waters and ocean floor. This national park is especially ideal and easy to visit by cruise, as many Caribbean cruises stop at Cruz Bay on St. John.

If you're hoping to go on a cruise without a passport yet still require sunshine and aquamarine seas for your holiday, the U.S. Virgin Islands are the way to go! Although many cruises in the Caribbean visit other destinations requiring a passport, so bringing one on your cruise might not be a bad idea. Or at least triple-check that you won't need one at any of the scheduled destinations.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in America, with around 11.5 million visitors annually. In fact, since 1944, it's been the most-visited park in the United States, bringing in over 13 million visitors in 2023. The park is especially busy during the late spring, summer, and during peak fall foliage, usually in October. However, as trillions of leaves fall each year over varying elevations, the world-renowned colors can be seen between late September and mid-November.

It's also wholly landlocked, straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. The Great Smokies are not the easiest national park to visit via cruise, but select cruises along the Tennessee River do include a tour of the park. Most cruises to the Great Smoky Mountains also incorporate a stop in Nashville, Tennessee, a trip on the Cumberland River, a tour of Lake Barkley, and a visit to Chattanooga. Tours take cruisers on a day trip (or longer) to Pigeon Ford or Gatlinburg, both charming towns in Tennessee, and both considered a "Gateway to the Great Smokies."

To determine the best national parks to cruise to in North America, we considered the ease of access via major cruise routes, national park popularity, and the overall visitor experience reported by travelers via blogs and popular review sites including Google, Tripadvisor, and Viator. We also looked at the special features of each destination from unique natural points of interest to wildlife viewing opportunities, and included a variety of landscapes in our list.