National Parks Offering the Best Virtual Tours to Enjoy From the Couch

By Carolyn Knox - July 27, 2021

Because of social distancing, spending time outdoors has become challenging. But thare are still an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful nature even if the situation requires people to stay inside. How is this possible? The following national parks are currently offering virtual tours through Google Arts & Culture. Check them out!

Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

This virtual tour lets people explore glaciers, icebergs, and fjords located in the Alaskan wilderness. Kenai Fjords has more than 40 glaciers in the Harding Icefield, according to the National Park Service website, and the tour begins with a peek into the Exit Glacier, which is one of the only accessible glaciers by road within the national park.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

This virtual tour enables people to explore the Nahuku Lava Tube. It is a cave formed by flowing lava. During the tour, everyone can “fly” over an active volcano, enjoy the stunning view from the volcanic coastal cliffs, and see the effects of an eruption from 1959.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

This popular park has over 100 caves and is located in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico. On this tour, people can view incredible rock formations, take a walk through the fascinating caverns, and even see thousands of bats who live in the cave system. There is also an opportunity to “experience” life as a bat thanks to this impressive simulation.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

This virtual tour centered on Sunset Point enables everyone to get up close and personal with the park’s unique rock formations, enjoy the star-filled night sky from this Dark Sky certified national park, and even take a horseback ride through the canyon from the comfort of their own home.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

According to the National Park Service website, this park is located 70 miles west of Key West. Thanks to this virtual tour, people no longer have to book a seaplane or boat to get there. They can view the third largest coral reef in the world, check out the Civil War-era Fort Jefferson, swim, and even take an exploratory dive into a shipwreck from 1907.