The Ultimate National Park Tour Collection

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour

Aloha Shaka Guiders!

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes still offers a rewarding 4–6 hour day with Chain of Craters Road, safe caldera viewpoints, the temporary Welcome Center and selected open walks.

New volcanic unrest has temporarily closed Keanakākoʻi, nearby old Crater Rim Drive, its overlooks and the trail to the crater. Kīpukapuaulu Trail is also closed for hazardous trees. At the coast, Hōlei Sea Arch has collapsed, so the arch is no longer a tour sight and cliff edges remain off-limits. Devastation parking and many other park experiences remain available.

Check current park alerts, safe eruption-viewing guidance and the latest USGS Kīlauea update before planning and again before leaving. There is still a fascinating landscape to explore!

Amy
Oahu, Hawaiʻi

Sunrise At Haleakala National Park Tour

Important Notice for Visitors – Haleakalā National Park

Aloha Shaka Guiders!

A reservation is required for each vehicle entering the Summit District from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Reservations are released up to 60 days in advance at 7:00 a.m. HST, with an additional batch released 2 days before your visit. Reservations cost $1 per vehicle and must be booked through Recreation.gov.

Haleakalā National Park is currently open, but weather, road, trail, and facility conditions can change. For the latest updates on closures and park conditions, please check the official Haleakalā National Park alerts and conditions page.

You may notice some changes along your tour—things like temporary road closures, limited access to certain stops, or areas undergoing repairs. Our routes are designed to guide you safely, but conditions can shift, so a little flexibility goes a long way.

As you explore, we ask that you travel with care and respect—for the land, the communities, and the people who call these places home. If an area looks closed or impacted, please honor posted signs and avoid entering. These moments are part of the story of Hawai‘i too, and your kuleana (responsibility) as a visitor helps keep these places protected for everyone.

Mahalo for your understanding, and for exploring with aloha 💛

Amy
Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi

Sunset And Stargazing Haleakala Tour

Aloha Shaka Guiders,

Haleakalā’s summit scenery, crater overlooks and sunset skies give you a beautiful afternoon to look forward to. Plan about 4–6 hours for the drive, selected open stops and time to settle in for sunset, with extra time if you stay to stargaze.

The summit is open, but parking fills up. NPS recommends arriving about three hours before sunset, and vehicles may be turned around when capacity is reached. Give yourself an early arrival rather than saving the mountain for the last minute. Sunrise reservations apply to entry between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.; ordinary sunset visits do not require that sunrise ticket.

Check official summit conditions and alerts while planning and again before departure. Pack warm layers and a snack, and leave yourself time to enjoy the changing light. We’ll bring the mountain’s stories along for the ride!

Amy
Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi

Zion National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Zion Canyon’s towering cliffs and the east-side highway’s sculpted sandstone give you a wonderful day to explore. Plan about 6–8 hours for the main canyon, selected eastern viewpoints, short walks, travel and a meal break.

The Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway has reopened after the rockfall, reconnecting the east and south entrances. Follow traffic controls through the repair area. Kolob Canyons Road remains closed beyond South Fork Trailhead, so its upper viewpoint is unavailable. Higher roads can close with winter weather.

When shuttles run, use them for Zion Canyon Scenic Drive; private vehicles are restricted. Check park access and vehicle restrictions and the seasonal shuttle schedule while planning and before departure. Pick your favorite views and enjoy Zion at your pace!

Rachel
Zion tour writer

Capitol Reef National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Fruita’s historic scenery, visitor-center exhibits and Goosenecks’ sweeping views offer a rewarding taste of Capitol Reef. Plan a half day, about 3–4 hours, for selected accessible stops, local driving and a break.

The Scenic Drive is closed beyond Fruita Campground, and Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge road approaches are closed. These restrictions remove part of our usual 6–8-hour itinerary. Build your visit around the available Fruita and viewpoint stops; do not use remote dirt roads as an assumed alternative or enter floodwaters.

Check official road conditions and alerts and Fruita’s visitor planning information while planning and again before departure. There’s still remarkable geology and human history to explore!

Adam
Capitol Reef producer

Grand Canyon South Rim Tour

Saguaro National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Saguaro’s East District is open, with the Cactus Forest drive, mountain views and plenty of chances to enjoy those spectacular desert giants. Plan about 3–4 hours for the drive, overlooks, selected short walks and a break.

In the West District, flood damage has closed the entire Bajada Loop Drive, including all of Hohokam and Golden Gate roads. Kinney Road is also closed between the eastern McCain Loop intersection and the Desert Museum through November 24; use McCain Loop as the official alternative.

Check Saguaro’s current alerts and district conditions while planning and again before departure. Build your day around the open East District, follow barricades and take your time with the scenery. We’ll share the stories behind every twist in the cactus forest!

Matt
Saguaro tour writer

Grand Canyon North Rim Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Cape Royal and Point Imperial still offer those wide-open North Rim views that make you stop and stare. While their roads are open, allow about 4–6 hours from the park entrance for scenic drives, overlooks and a picnic; travel from your lodging adds time.

Fire recovery has changed services. The former lodge area remains closed, overnight lodge stays are unavailable, and there is no potable park water. Bring water and food, fuel up outside the park, and respect the North Kaibab Trail closure.

Cape Royal and Point Imperial roads are scheduled to close from sunset October 15 until sunrise November 3, 2026. If these overlooks are high on your wish list, I recommend choosing a date outside that closure, subject to weather. Check official North Rim access and services while planning and again before leaving. Those canyon views are worth taking your time with!

Rachel
Grand Canyon tour writer

Rocky Mountain National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Bear Lake’s mountain setting and Rocky Mountain’s lower valleys offer plenty to enjoy in the colder months. Plan a half day for selected drives and short stops, or a full day with a properly equipped winter walk.

Trail Ridge Road usually closes to through traffic from mid-October until late May, so the complete alpine crossing isn’t a winter drive. Bear Lake Road stays open subject to weather and traction controls.

In 2026, standard timed entry continues through October 12, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; Bear Lake entry continues through October 18, 5 a.m.–6 p.m. Arrange required permits through official reservations; park admission is separate. Read entry requirements. Check current park roads while planning and before departure, then enjoy the Rockies at your pace!

Adam
Rockies producer

Yellowstone National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Geysers, canyon views and wildlife-rich valleys make Yellowstone worth taking your time with. During the regular driving season, plan a day for a chosen region or several days for the wider tour.

Most park roads close to ordinary vehicles from early November through late April. Winter driving visits focus on the North Entrance corridor through Mammoth and Lamar Valley toward Cooke City, rather than the full geyser-and-canyon itinerary. Biscuit Basin also remains closed after its hydrothermal explosion.

Check the official road seasons and access map and park alerts while planning and before departure. Pick the season that fits your wish list, and let us bring Yellowstone’s stories along!

Rachel
Yellowstone tour writer

— Rachel, Your Shaka Guide Tour Writer

Yosemite National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Yosemite Valley’s towering cliffs, Tunnel View and forest-lined scenery make a wonderful fall or winter escape. Allow a full day for selected Valley drives, viewpoints and short walks, or several days to explore more open areas at a relaxed pace.

Glacier Point Road has reopened after the Dome Fire closure, although trails within the fire area remain closed. As snow arrives, Tioga and Glacier Point roads normally close for winter, generally from November into late spring. Plan winter travel through a western or southern entrance, and prepare for tire-chain requirements.

Park-entry reservations are not required in 2026. Check current roads and fire alerts and winter access guidance while planning and before departure. Those Valley views are worth taking your time with!

Matt
Yosemite tour writer

Grand Teton National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Grand Teton’s mountain skyline and valley viewpoints give you a beautiful cold-season outing along the main highway. Allow a half day for selected roadside views, driving and breaks. The fuller road-season itinerary normally takes 6–8 hours or more.

Teton Park Road between Taggart Lake and Signal Mountain closes November 1–April 30, so the complete scenic loop isn’t a winter drive. Moose-Wilson Road also has seasonal closures, with its Moose-side construction closure continuing through November 15, 2026. Some side roads close with snow.

Check official seasonal road access and construction guidance while planning and before departing. Pick your open viewpoints and give those mountains time to impress you!

Jess
Grand Teton tour writer

Mount Rainier National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders,

There’s still a wonderful day of Mount Rainier waiting for you! Longmire, Paradise and Stevens Canyon are open, bringing together forest scenery, waterfall stops, mountain views and plenty of reasons to pull over. Plan around 6–8 hours exploring these areas, with short walks, photo stops and a picnic break.

Sunrise Road is closed to vehicles because of wildfire activity, and the Ohanapecosh developed area is closed for construction. Focus your day on the open southern route, where some of Rainier’s most memorable scenery awaits.

No timed-entry reservation is required in 2026. Several scenic roads begin closing for the season October 19, with Stevens Canyon scheduled to close October 26, weather permitting. Check official road conditions and construction updates while planning and before leaving. Give yourself time to linger. Rainier rewards it!

Lizzie
Mt. Rainier tour writer

New River Gorge National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Grandview’s sweeping overlooks, Sandstone Falls and New River Gorge’s dramatic scenery make a memorable day out. On regular-access days, allow about 6–8 hours for selected viewpoints, connecting drives and a meal break, with extra time for longer walks.

Bridge Day, held on the third Saturday in October, falls on October 17 in 2026. The US19 bridge closes to vehicles from 7 a.m.–5 p.m., and Fayette Station Road restricts vehicle access. You can enjoy the pedestrian festival instead. If the usual scenic drive is your priority, I recommend another date.

Check official event access and shuttles and park alerts while planning and before departure, including access at Thurmond. There’s plenty of gorge scenery to build your visit around!

Matt
New River Gorge tour writer


Redwood National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders,

Towering redwoods and sweeping coastal views are still waiting at Stout Grove, Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Crescent Beach Overlook! Allow a full day for selected groves and coast stops, or two days for more walks, with driving and meal breaks included.

On the first Saturday of each month, October through May, Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway closes to vehicles from Friday evening through Sunday morning for Hike and Bike Day. The parkway welcomes walkers and cyclists during this window. Use Highway 101 between park areas and reach Prairie Creek Visitor Center from the southern entrance at exit 753; save the parkway drive for reopening.

Open NPS park conditions and Highway 101 updates while planning and again before departure. There’s plenty of forest wonder to build your adventure around!

Matt
Redwood tour writer

Sequoia National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Sequoia’s foothill scenery and Giant Forest’s enormous trees make a wonderful cold-season adventure. When the main road is accessible, allow about 4–6 hours for selected drives, tree stops and a break, with extra time for winter conditions.

Snow changes the route: the Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow side road isn’t plowed, and General Sherman parking can move to the winter access area. The main Generals Highway can close during storms, and chain requirements may apply even to four-wheel-drive vehicles. Prepare your vehicle before heading uphill.

Check official road conditions and chain guidance and road planning information while planning and before departure. Those giant trees make a very special winter welcome!

Rayne
Sequoia tour producer


Kings Canyon National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Grant Grove’s giant sequoias make Kings Canyon a memorable winter visit. Allow about 2–4 hours for this shorter portion of the tour, including the General Grant Tree area, visitor information, local driving and a break, when conditions allow.

Highway 180 into Cedar Grove normally closes from early or mid-November until late April or early May. The canyon-floor drive and its waterfalls won’t be part of that winter itinerary. Snow can also close smaller roads and trigger chain requirements.

Check official road access and winter visiting guidance while planning and before departure. If the full canyon drive is your wish, I recommend the open-road season. The big trees are wonderful company either way!

Matt
Kings Canyon tour writer


Big Bend National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Chisos Basin’s mountain scenery, Panther Junction and Big Bend’s desert viewpoints give you a grand day to explore. Plan a full day for selected open drives and short stops, or two days with longer walks.

Flood damage limits parts of the river-area itinerary: the paved approach from Cottonwood Campground to Santa Elena Canyon and Hot Springs Road are closed. Leave those approaches out of your route and respect posted closures. The previously planned two-year Chisos Basin construction closure was canceled.

Check current roads and visitor services and the Chisos project update while planning and before departure. Bring supplies, choose your open stops, and enjoy that remarkable mountain-and-desert country!

Matt
Big Bend tour writer

Everglades National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders,

I wanted to share a quick update about travel conditions near Everglades National Park.

Ongoing construction along the Tamiami Trail (US-41) may cause intermittent lane closures, reduced speeds, and occasional delays. Since this roadway connects major park access points, drive times could be longer than expected depending on traffic and construction schedules.

If you’re planning a visit, I recommend building extra time into your drive and checking real-time traffic conditions before heading out. It’s also helpful to review current entrance hours and any road advisories on the official NPS website prior to your trip.

Our Everglades tour is designed to help you navigate the area with confidence, but a little flexibility in your schedule will go a long way while construction is underway. As always, please follow posted signs and traffic guidance through work zones.

Thanks for taking the time to stay informed about the places you explore.

Safe travels,
— Jess, Your Shaka Guide Tour Writer

White Sands National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders,

I wanted to share a quick heads-up about a minor change at White Sands National Park.

Right now, Dunes Drive is open, but a temporary safety corridor is in effect between mile markers 3 and 5.5. You’re still able to drive through this section as usual—however, stopping, parking, or exiting your vehicle isn’t allowed in this area, which means the Interdune Boardwalk is temporarily closed.

This change is in place for public safety and doesn’t significantly impact the overall White Sands experience. There are still plenty of opportunities to stop, explore, and enjoy the dunes outside of the safety corridor.

Matt (White Sands tour writer) 🤍

Olympic National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Mossy rain forests, Lake Crescent’s beautiful shoreline and dramatic coastal scenery make Olympic a rewarding fall and winter adventure. Plan a full day for selected stops in one region, or several days to explore more at a relaxed pace.

Expect rain, shorter daylight hours and weather-dependent road access. Hurricane Ridge has limited winter opening days, and all vehicles must carry tire chains during its winter season. Check Hurricane Ridge access and park road conditions while planning and before departure.

Temporary October notice: Highway 101’s Hoh River Bridge is closed through noon October 13, 2026. Hoh remains reachable from Forks, but traveling between northern and southern sections requires a drive around adding at least four hours. See the bridge access plan. Rialto Beach access is closed through October 15.

Bring your rain jacket and enjoy Olympic’s wonderfully wild side!

Matt and Andrew
Olympic tour writer and producer

Crater Lake National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Crater Lake’s rim viewpoints make a beautiful 4–6-hour drive when the full circuit is open. In winter, a shorter 1–3-hour visit around park headquarters and Rim Village can offer snowy scenery and lake views when the road and visibility cooperate.

Rim Drive and the North Entrance close November 1, or earlier with significant snow. Use a southern approach via Highway 62; the road up to Rim Village can also close after storms. Cleetwood Cove remains closed, so lake-level activities aren’t available.

Check current roads and alerts and winter access guidance while planning and before departure. Choose the season that fits your lake wish list!

Matt & Andrew
Crater Lake tour writer & producer

Acadia National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders,

Acadia’s coastal scenery, rocky overlooks and forest-and-lake stops give you a wonderful day to explore. Allow a full day for selected drives and short walks, or two days to spend more time across the tour’s different areas. Cadillac Mountain can be a highlight, but the rest of the park offers plenty if a summit slot doesn’t fit your plans.

Driving Cadillac Summit Road requires a vehicle reservation May 20–October 25, 2026. Book through official Cadillac Summit Road reservations. Tickets release 90 days and two days ahead at 10 a.m. Eastern time. Park admission is separate, and this reservation is specific to the summit road.

Check NPS summit access details and current park alerts while planning and before departure. Choose your stops, save your confirmation, and let us share the stories between those ocean views!

Lizzie
Acadia tour writer

Lassen Volcanic National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Lassen has a quieter snowy side to enjoy around Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center or the Manzanita Lake entrance area. Plan about 2–4 hours at one accessible entrance for scenery, visitor information, a conditions-appropriate short outing and a break.

The normal 3–8-hour driving tour follows Highway 89 through the park. Winter snow closes that through-road, so the two entrance areas become separate visits and the high-country drive cannot be followed. Visitor services are limited.

Check official winter visiting guidance and road access and directions while planning and again before departure. If the complete volcanic drive is your goal, I recommend a visit during the highway’s open season.

Matt
Lassen Volcanic tour writer


North Cascades National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Newhalem’s history and Diablo Lake’s mountain scenery make the western North Cascades a rewarding half-day outing when roads are open. The broader tour can fill a day with high-country viewpoints and walks during the pass-road season.

Snow and avalanche conditions close SR20 through Rainy and Washington Pass in winter, usually from late November or early December until spring. Those eastern stops cannot be reached during the closure; plan your winter visit around accessible western stops instead. Services have seasonal hours.

Check WSDOT’s North Cascades Highway status and park road guidance while planning and before departure. If the alpine crossing is your highlight, I recommend visiting in its open season.

Matt
North Cascades tour writer


Theodore Roosevelt National Park Tour

Theodore Roosevelt National Park moves to cashless fee collection

Starting May 1, Theodore Roosevelt National Park will accept only credit cards, debit cards, or digital payments for entrance fees, campground fees, and Interagency Passes. Cash and check payments will no longer be accepted.

Mesa Verde National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders,

I wanted to share an important update about Spruce Tree House in Mesa Verde National Park.

Spruce Tree House remains closed due to structural instability, and a stabilization project is currently underway. For safety reasons, visitors are not permitted to enter the site while preservation work continues. There has not yet been a confirmed reopening timeline.

If you’re planning a visit, I recommend checking the official NPS website before your trip for the latest updates on access and project progress. 

While Spruce Tree House is one of the park’s most well-known dwellings, other remarkable archaeological sites and viewpoints remain accessible. As always, please follow posted closures and staff guidance during your visit.

Thank you for staying informed and for respecting the preservation efforts that help protect these irreplaceable places.

Safe travels,

— Rachel, Your Shaka Guide Tour Writer

Glacier National Park Tour: Going-to-the-sun Road

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Lake McDonald’s mountain reflections and Apgar’s lakeside scenery give Glacier a lovely quieter-season side. When the lower west-side road is open, allow about 2–4 hours for this shorter visit, including stops and a break. The full road-season tour can fill one or two days.

The alpine crossing over Logan Pass usually closes around the third Monday in October, sometimes earlier with snow. It stays closed through winter, so the complete cross-park drive isn’t a winter itinerary.

Check Going-to-the-Sun Road access and winter visiting guidance while planning and before departure. If the full mountain crossing is your wish, I recommend a visit when the entire road is open.

Myra
Glacier tour producer

Great Basin National Park

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Lehman Caves’ remarkable formations and the visitor-center exhibits make Great Basin a rewarding cold-season stop. Allow about 2–4 hours for this shorter outing, including a reserved cave tour, local driving and a break.

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive closes for the season at 6 p.m. October 11, 2026, so the high-country drive and its overlooks won’t be part of a winter visit. Bring food and drinking water; services are limited.

Reserve through the official cave tickets, arriving 15 minutes early, and check park access and alerts while planning and before departure. There’s a whole other world waiting underground!

Rachel
Great Basin tour writer

Glacier National Park Tour: Many Glacier

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Sherburne’s mountain scenery make Many Glacier a wonderful place to slow down. When the road is accessible, plan a half-day scenic visit or a full day with a suitable open hike.

Many Glacier Road normally closes for winter on the third weekend in November, sometimes earlier with snow. Once it closes, this lake-area driving tour cannot be followed. Hotels, dining and boat trips have shorter operating seasons, so bring what you need for a fall visit.

Check Glacier’s seasonal access guidance and services and operator schedules while planning and before leaving. If these lakeside highlights are your goal, I recommend visiting during the road’s open season.

Myra
Glacier tour producer

Glacier National Park Tour: Two Medicine

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Glacier’s Lake McDonald scenery offers another way to enjoy the mountains while Two Medicine’s road is closed. When west-side road conditions allow, plan about 2–4 hours for that separate lakeside outing, stops and a break. It is outside this tour.

Construction closes Two Medicine Road at Highway 49, preventing the drive to Two Medicine Lake, Running Eagle Falls and the developed-area stops. The complete tour cannot be followed. The Logan Pass crossing also closes for winter, so it isn’t a year-round alternative.

If Two Medicine’s lakes and waterfalls are your wish, I recommend visiting when its road access returns. Check construction updates and winter access guidance before planning and departing. We look forward to sharing those lakeside stories!

Rayne
Glacier tour producer

Glacier National Park Tour: North Fork

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Bowman and Kintla Lakes reward an open-road North Fork visit with mountain reflections, forest scenery and a wonderfully unhurried pace. Allow about 4–5 hours for the driving tour when its lake roads are accessible, with extra time for walks.

This is a seasonal, remote driving adventure. Snow closes the park’s North Fork roads, and the complete lake itinerary cannot be driven through winter closures. During the open season, expect rough gravel, limited services and little cell reception; bring supplies and a suitable vehicle.

Check official North Fork planning guidance and Glacier’s current road status while planning and before departure. If those lakes are your must-sees, I recommend choosing a visit when their roads are open.

Rachel
Glacier tour writer

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Carlsbad’s desert scenery and extraordinary underground Big Room make a rewarding half-day adventure. Allow roughly 3–4 hours for the drive, exhibits, a separately reserved cavern visit and breaks; extra hikes or elevator waits can add time. Shaka’s stories accompany the approach and departure, not the walk inside the cave.

Reserve cavern timed entry on Recreation.gov for every adult and child, including passholders. Booking opens 30 days ahead and closes at 7 a.m. Mountain Time on your visit date. An entrance pass is separate; last cavern entry is 2:30 p.m.

The main access road is open. Skip the flood-closed Walnut Canyon Desert Drive. Check NPS alerts and visiting hours while planning and again before leaving. Bring your sense of wonder!

Matt
Carlsbad Caverns tour writer

Biscayne National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders,

If you’re planning a visit, I strongly recommend checking the official Biscayne National Park page before your trip for any additional updates on construction timelines or access changes.

Park rangers and visitor center staff are also great resources once you arrive.

Whether you’re exploring under sunny skies or watching the tide lap against the keys, I hope Biscayne gives you a day full of wonder and peaceful moments on the water.

Safe travels,
— Jess, Your Shaka Guide Tour Writer

Wind Cave National Park Tour

PLEASE NOTE: This tour does NOT include a guided tour inside Wind Cave. All cave access is by ranger guided tours only and tickets can sell out fast, especially in the busy summer months. Tickets can be reserved ahead of time here. 

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders!

Tomichi Point and Gunnison Point still give you Black Canyon’s dramatic depth and sweeping winter views. Allow about 1–3 hours for this shorter tour portion, including local driving, overlooks and the South Rim Visitor Center when access allows.

In winter, South Rim Drive closes beyond the visitor center, and East Portal Road and North Rim Road also close. The full driving itinerary and its farther overlooks cannot be followed by car. Longer skiing or snowshoe outings are separate plans requiring appropriate equipment and conditions.

Check official winter access guidance and current park conditions while planning and before departure. If the complete overlook drive is your goal, I recommend visiting in its open season.

Rachel
Black Canyon narrator & tour writer

Dry Tortugas National Park Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders,

Fort Jefferson and Garden Key still offer a memorable island visit, with fort history, coastal views and stories around every corner. Plan roughly 3–4 hours on the island for the open walking-tour stops and breaks. Your ferry journey and check-in are additional, making a typical ferry visit a full-day outing.

Hurricane damage has closed sections of the moat wall while repairs continue. Skip the barriers at that stop; a complete walk around the fort is unavailable. You can spend that time exploring the open fort and island areas instead.

Check official Dry Tortugas conditions and alerts while planning and again before departure, and confirm sailing times with your operator. Bring the supplies your trip requires, then enjoy the chance to slow down somewhere extraordinary. We’ll help bring its history to life!

Jess
Dry Tortugas narrator & writer

Congaree National Park Walking Tour

Hi Shaka Guiders,

Congaree’s Boardwalk Loop is open, and those towering trees, quiet waterways and forest stories are ready for your visit! Plan about 2–3 hours for a relaxed walk, a visitor-center stop and a break. Add more time if you choose the open Sims Trail.

Our main walking route is available, including time to pause at Weston Lake’s overlook.

This is a floodplain forest, so conditions can change after rain. Check official trail conditions and current park alerts while planning and again before leaving. Rangers at the visitor center can help you choose your day’s walks. Bring water and bug spray, then let us introduce you to this remarkable forest!

Jess
Congaree tour writer