LEFT: Blue Ridge Shadows near Shenandoah National Park. RIGHT: Coral Canyon in Southwest Utah.
by CHRIS LANG
Parkland Adventures
Tee off near America’ s natural wonders
The idea popped into my head several years ago during a vacation to New England. I eventually found my way to Bar Harbor, Maine, which borders Acadia National Park— a bucket list destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. After having lunch in town, I headed back toward the park and was surprised to see rolling fairways outside the driver’ s side window.
Kebo Valley Club, one of the oldest golf courses in the country, exists on the fringes of one of the crown jewels of the United States National Parks system. And it’ s far from the only course with a front-row seat to America’ s natural wonders. Across the country, national parks and nearby fairways offer a unique chance to pair golf with outdoor adventure.
In 2019, more than 327 million people visited a U. S. National Park. And though the pandemic briefly slowed those numbers, visitation has rebounded in a big way. In 2024, national parks drew a record 331,863,358 visitors.
At many national parks, you can complement your adventure with a round of golf. Below, we spotlight a handful of destinations where scenic trails and fairways go hand in hand— some close to home, others farther afield and well worth the journey. Keep them in mind when planning your next hybrid golf-and-hiking getaway.
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
State: Virginia Nearby courses: Caverns Country Club, Massanutten Resort, Shenvalee Golf Resort, Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club
Virginia’ s only national park is long and narrow, flanked by the Shenandoah River and its broad valley to the west and the rolling hills of the Virginia Piedmont to the east. Many visitors have driven Skyline Drive, the scenic 105-mile road that runs the park’ s full length. Shenandoah also features 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail, a vast network of hiking trails, and panoramic views from its many mountain peaks.
CHRIS LANG( 4), PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COURSES
30 V IRGINIA G OLFER | J U LY / A UGUST 2025