Go trail running on this pristine path through Acadia National Park

Enjoy running with a side of scenery.

Maine’s Acadia National Park is full of stunning sights that will charm any nature-loving visitor. The park truly offers something for everyone. Birdwatchers can look for wildlife along Jesup Path, stargazers can watch the skies over Cadillac Mountain, and people who prefer driving to hiking can cruise along Ocean Drive.

But what about trail runners? What does this dazzling park have for outdoorsy folks who enjoy jogging through scenic landscapes? If you’re looking for a prime trail running spot at Acadia National Park, look no further than Jordan Pond Path. This running hotspot circles the tranquil waters of Jordan Pond, but waterfront views aren’t the only perks runners can look forward to seeing there. Take a peek at this trail’s best sights and learn more about the area in the photo guide below.

Unbelievable ghost stories from America’s national parks

Get into the spooky spirit.

Are ghosts real? Surveys show that Americans are split on this spooky issue. Just under half of the country thinks these paranormal entities exist, leaving the other half of the nation to raise their eyebrows in skepticism. Whether or not ghosts really are haunting Earth, the stories about them sure are captivating.

This Halloween, discover a new kind of ghost story with this compilation of haunted tales from national parks. That’s right, eerie spirits can apparently reside in places other than graveyards and historic buildings. They could be walking alongside you on your next hike! Prepare yourself and scare yourself with these three intriguing ghost stories from America’s national parks.

Ranking the 10 most visited national parks

Popular parks face off.

Every national park is special. Every national park is beautiful. But not all parks made it onto the National Park Service’s (NPS) list of 2022’s most visited national parks.

In 2022, NPS sites tallied over 311 million recreation visits. While many beloved locations contributed to that number, not all of them were national parks. Historic sites, national battlefields, scenic trails, and more also factor into NPS statistics. In fact, the most visited NPS site in 2022 was the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, which received over 15 million visits.

All of these areas are worth visiting, but today’s rankings focus solely on national parks. In descending order, the most visited national parks in 2022 were: 1. Great Smoky Mountains, 2. Grand Canyon, 3. Zion, 4. Rocky Mountain, 5. Acadia, 6. Yosemite, 7. Yellowstone, 8. Joshua Tree, 9. Cuyahoga Valley, and 10. Glacier. These bustling sites hosted the most recreation visits out of all 63 national parks.

Does “most visited” mean “best,” though? Not always. Find out which of these 10 highly visited parks Outdoors Wire ranks as its favorites in the list below.

Add these 9 scenic hikes to your travel bucket list

Pack your camera for these picturesque hikes.

Lace up your hiking boots, it’s time to tackle the most scenic hiking trails in the United States. While an adventurous hike is its own reward, eye-catching views help make hiking a treat. During a trek through the wilderness, picturesque landscapes draw you in and remind you why nature is so valuable.

So, where can a nature-loving hiker find these stunning landscapes? While countless trails across the country offer unique charms, these nine hiking paths are known for their incomparable beauty. From Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome Hike to Zion National Park’s Angel’s Landing, the trails below make up some of the country’s most scenic hikes.

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