TPG Staffers Share Their Favorite National Parks
On Sunday, Aug. 25, you can celebrate the founding of the park service by visiting any of the fee-charging parks for free. And if you don't have the time on Sunday, start planning a trip for the future and consider investing in the $80 annual pass so you can really enjoy all that the National Parks have to offer year-round — or watch out for future fee-free days.
In honor of the National Park Service's 103rd birthday, The Points Guy staff members reflected on their favorite parks and the memories made there.
Yosemite National Park
"I've only spent any significant amount of time in one National Park, Yosemite, but I had such an incredible time I'm not sure how any other park could have it beat. My favorite part was the day we hiked the Mist Trail. There were breathtaking views at every turn, especially when we settled in for lunch at the top of the falls. Such a special place!" — Zach Honig, editor-at-large
Big Bend National Park
"It was a holiday weekend and we had an extra day off work, so my buddy and I decided to make the 8-hour drive from Austin to check out Big Bend. We camped out in the car the first night and then set out for the two-day hike. Once we made it to this spot off the South Rim Trail, we spent about five hours here to get a sunset shot overlooking the Chisos Mountains. By the time we left it was nighttime and we had to hike two hours down to our camp in total darkness." — Wyatt Smith, photo editor
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
"Katie and I have climbed Guadalupe Peak a few times. To reach the peak -- the highest point in Texas -- climbers have to hike 8.5 miles and climb over 3,000 feet. AvGeek fun fact: The pyramid was erected in 1958 by American Airlines to mark the spot" — JT Genter, senior points and miles writer
Rocky Mountain National Park
"My favorite National Park is Rocky Mountain National Park. I love it for its diversity of wildlife, dramatic vistas and gorgeous wildflowers. Plus Estes Park, the adjacent town, is a wonderful place. This picture shows me hiking there in 2007 with my siblings." — Dan Rauchwerk, email marketing analyst
The Grand Canyon
"My first view of the Grand Canyon was at Shoshone Point near the end of an alternative spring break trip in 2014. We'd volunteered with the National Park Service most of spring break to remove invasive Sahara mustard plants in nearby Lee's Ferry, but visited the Grand Canyon for a few days at the end of the trip. Although the views from the rim are excellent, you really must hike into the canyon -- even just a short distance -- to fully appreciate its beauty." — Katie Genter, senior reporter
"Just two world wonders hanging out ... It started on a very early, very cold Vegas morning. I boarded a charter bus that would wheel me to the most breathtaking swing-less and slide-less park I have ever been to. We pulled up to the Grand Canyon and had 15 minutes to snap those Insta-shots. As the strong, independent woman I am, I was traveling solo which meant I needed help. Crowds of friends and families gathered for pics and I selfied, until two strangers saved the day by taking this beauty (see above). I recommend the Grand Canyon because you don't have to camp, it's spacious and every picture is perfect." — Kelli Hanner, office coordinator
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
"I was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee and spent much of my youth exploring the most visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The Alum Cave Bluff trail and the Chimney Tops are my two favorite trails offering unbeatable views of the Smokies, as well as the observation tower at Clingman's Dome. Having lived in Knoxville in 2016 during the Smoky Mountain wildfires, it was incredible to see how the park (and the surrounding communities) ... [would] rebuild and revitalize after the fires destroyed so much in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg areas. Some of my favorite memories growing up include the Smoky Mountains, from visiting Dollywood every summer with my family, to renting cabins with friends every winter, the Smoky Mountains forever holds a special place in my heart and everyone should visit at least once." — Caitlin Riddell, social media lead
Grant Teton National Park
"In 1992, I had the chance to drive from Washington, DC, to Seattle with a friend who was relocating. I was unemployed at the time, so we decided to stop whenever the mood hit us. Thanks to that decision, I had the opportunity to visit six national parks: Yellowstone, Glacier, the Badlands, Bryce Canyon, Mount Ranier and Grand Teton. When I think of parks, I think about forests and lakes. But that's not what I saw in the Badlands and Bryce Canyon, which were more rock-based formations. Both offer spectacular sunrise and sunset viewing."
"My personal favorite was Grand Teton because there was so much to do, with gorgeous mountain views. You can hike, ride your bike along paths, hop on a boat and enjoy fish on the Snake River, do some bird watching, take a scenic walk or drive or even go horseback riding." — Benet Wilson, credit cards editor
Acadia National Park
"I travel to national parks all over the world, but spending a weekend at Acadia National Park in the fall of 2017 with friends was a great reminder to me that there are beautiful national parks I need to take time to visit in my own backyard. On this trip to Acadia National Park in Maine, we left camp at 3am to hike up Cadillac Mountain and see the sunrise. Depending on the time of year, it's often one of the first places in the country to see sunlight at daybreak." — Melanie Lieberman, travel editor
Indiana Dunes National Park
"I've been fortunate enough to explore a lot of the National Parks, so it's hard to pick my absolute favorite as they're all so amazing. However, the only one that I've been to on my own was Indiana Dunes National Park, which I think made for a different, but great experience. I had been driving through the night and wanted to take a break before finishing up my drive, so decided to check out the dunes. I arrived right before dawn with enough time to settle in on the beach. When the sun finally rose it turned out to be one of the most beautiful sunrises I'd ever seen. It was especially nice because it was just me, the beach and the sound of Lake Michigan in the background." — Liz Hund, miles, points and deals intern
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.