On August 25, 2016 the National Park Service will turn 100, and to celebrate 10Best launched a series of Readers' Choice contests all about the national parks. We teamed up with the National Park Foundation to nominate 20 parks, park destinations and park programs in each of the following categories: Best National Park for Kids, Best National Park Landmark, Best National Park Location for Sunrise/Sunset, Best National Park Night Experience and Best National Park Wildlife Experience. For the past four weeks, 10Best and USA TODAY readers have been voting daily for their favorites in each category. The votes have been counted, and we have our winners.
Click on each category below to read more about the top 10 winners.
Best National Park Wildlife Experience: Bear Viewing at Brooks Camp
Located at the mouth of the Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Brooks Camp is one of the best brown bear viewing areas in the world. Some 2,200 brown bears live within the park, and many of them congregate in the Brooks River to feed on sockeye salmon. A protected viewing platform keeps both bears and visitors safe, and rangers are often on hand to discuss the bears and answer questions.
Best National Park for Kids: Acadia National Park
Standing atop Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard, is a big moment for many kids, and it's easy to get to by car. Kid-centric activities at Acadia include ranger-run Tidepool School, boat trips and sandy beaches to play on.
Best National Park Landmark: Fort Jefferson
The center point of Florida's Dry Tortugas National Park is Fort Jefferson, built in the nineteenth century to protect one of North America's most strategic deep water anchorages. Rangers lead visitors on regular history tours of the fort.
Best National Park Location for Sunrise/Sunset: Kabetogama Lake
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
Within Voyageurs National Park, campers on the shores of Kabetogama Lake enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets. Ranger-led twilight tours bring the history of the park to life.
Best National Park Night Experience: Summer Star Party
Every Saturday evening from May through the end of July, visitors to Cedar Breaks National Monument can attend a Summer Star Party. Park rangers at Point Supreme give a presentation on a night sky-related topic, and once it's dark, guests can see the sky through park telescopes or take a laser-powered tour of the constellations.
Looking for a perfect national park experience for your next vacation? Visit FindYourPark.com to get ideas for exploring our more than 400 national parks.
