What is the best national park for boating?

Updated May 3rd, 2022
Happy young couple walking by the harbor of a touristic sea reso
Image credit: jovanmandic / 123rf

The best National Park for boating is unquestionably the Everglades National Park in Florida. The park covers over 1.5 million acres of land and is home to some of the most diverse and beautiful wildlife in the country. Boating is allowed on all of the park's waterways, and there are plenty of places to launch your boat or canoe. The park also has a number of ranger-led boat tours that are great for learning about the park's history and ecology.

If you're looking for a National Park with great boating but aren't necessarily interested in the Everglades, there are plenty of other options. The Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming is a great choice for boaters who want to explore a geologically unique landscape. The park is home to geysers, hot springs, and waterfalls, and boating is allowed on several of its lakes and rivers.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border between Tennessee and North Carolina and is one of the most popular National Parks in the country. The park has over 800 miles of hiking trails and is also a great place for boating. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at a number of locations within the park, and there are several ranger-led boat tours available as well.

1. Yellowstone National Park

When you go boating in Yellowstone National Park, you will be surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The park is home to some of the tallest, most majestic mountains and glaciers, and is full of rivers and lakes that offer great fishing and sailing opportunities. You will also find numerous wildlife species, including bears, elk, and deer, which you can observe from your boat.

Yellowstone National Park
Image credit: eunika / 123rf

2. Glacier National Park

When boating in Glacier National Park, visitors will experience some of the most beautiful waterfalls and lakes in North America. The park is also home to some of the most challenging rapids on the continent, making it a great place to experience whitewater rafting and kayaking. The park's waters are also warm and clear, making for great fishing opportunities.

Bearhat mountain and Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park, USA
Image credit: amenohi / 123rf

3. Acadia National Park

When boating in Acadia National Park, you can expect beautiful scenery, clear waters, and calm waves. The park is centrally located in New England, making it the perfect place to enjoy the water. The National Park Service maintains many of the park's waterways, providing clean, safe waters for visitors to enjoy. There are many scenic waterways to explore in the park, including the Kennebec River, the Schoodic Lake, and the Cadillac Mountain Chain of Lakes.

Sunrise view from Caddilac Mountain in Acadia National Park, Mai

4. Grand Canyon National Park

When boating in Grand Canyon National Park, visitors will experience an awe-inspiring natural landscape. The clear, blue waters of the Colorado River offer scenic views of the bottom of the canyon. The park has a variety of waterways and canals for both motorboats and kayaks. There are also designated areas for sailboats and rowing boats. Grand Canyon National Park is the perfect place to experience the natural beauty of the canyon while enjoying the convenience of a boat.

Hike in Grand Canyon
Image credit: kamchatka / 123rf

5. Everglades National Park

When you are boating in the Everglades National Park, you will be surrounded by a vast wilderness filled with alligators, manatees, and other wildlife. The waters are clear and calm, making it a great place to explore. The park is also great for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, so there is something for everyone.

Florida wetland, Airboat ride at Everglades National Park in USA.