Summer is just around the corner, and your clients are dreaming of adventure. America’s national parks can offer the perfect escape!
This educational tip is brought to you by Viator Travel Agent Program, your collaborator in experience and activity planning.
Amtrak is the primary passenger rail service in the United States. For a fascinating peek at Amtrak Vacations and its travel packages throughout North America, don’t miss our PEP Talk, Rail Travel 101 Featuring USA with Amtrak Vacations, presented May 28 at 1:00 pm (ET) by Jim Marini, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Railbooker Group.
And for in-depth learning about local destinations, enroll in the North America Destination Specialist Course. For those of you with access to our Premium Library, this course is included at no charge as one of your benefits.
Hidden Gems and Bucket-List Wonders: A Travel Advisor’s Guide to U.S. National Parks
America’s national parks go far beyond just Yellowstone and Yosemite. With 400+ diverse sites, travel advisors have a treasure trove of options to tailor unforgettable outdoor experiences for every type of client. Here are some standout parks, and how you can match them to your travelers’ interests:
Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska
Why Go: It’s the largest U.S. national park—13.2 million acres of glaciers, mountains, and wild rivers.
Advisor Tip: Recommend to adventure seekers and photographers. A guided glacier trek or bush plane tour can turn this into a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, Pennsylvania
Why Go: At just 0.02 acres, it’s the smallest site—packed with Revolutionary War history.
Advisor Tip: Pair with a Philly history tour. Great for clients into heritage travel or short excursions.
Sequoia National Park, California
Why Go: Towering trees, epic hiking, and the chance to say “I got married under a 3,000-year-old tree.”
Advisor Tip: Wedding permits are available! Ideal for destination weddings and elopement clients.
Virgin Islands National Park
Why Go: White sand beaches + lush rainforest = perfect tropical escape.
Advisor Tip: Recommend to beach lovers who want more than sunbathing—there’s also snorkeling, hiking, and local culture.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Texas
Why Go: Stargazing without light pollution, plus ancient archaeological sites.
Advisor Tip: Highlight this for dark-sky travelers or families looking for educational, screen-free fun.
Travel Advisor Toolkit: How to Help Clients Explore
- Eco-conscious travelers: Promote citizen science programs and conservation-focused parks.
- Budget-conscious: Many sites are free or low cost. Only 109 of 419 charge entry.
- Peak seasons: Advise clients to book early—some parks now require timed entry.
- History buffs: Explore battlefields, historic sites, and heritage trails.
- Adventure seekers: Recommend geocaching, kayaking, dog sledding, or volcanic hikes.
With creativity and the right guidance, national parks can become the backdrop to your clients’ most meaningful adventures.
So, whether it’s adventuring through a new city or exploring breathtaking national parks, experiences can turn an ordinary trip into an extraordinary one. Clients may forget the long flight or hotel stay, but they’ll remember these once-in-a-lifetime experiences for years to come. Be sure to explore organizations like Viator that can help you build these lifetime experiences and that offer you global supply and commission for all your booking tours and activities! Register for Viator’s Travel Agent Program today and explore the opportunities in your own backyard.
