15 National Park Trips Worldwide to Build a Trip Around

1.Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 678 reviews · from $127Our pick

From Te Anau, Fiordland Jet Boat takes you along the Upper Waiau River to Lake Manapouri in a small boat carrying up to 11 people. Expect high-speed runs, 360-degree spins, Lord of the Rings film sites, local stories, native birds, and a short forest walk. Warm gear, spray coats, and life jackets are supplied.

“Great experience on the jet boat along the Waiau River and onto Lake Manapouri! Such good fun - in particular the 360s! Very informative guide and driver told us so much interesting information about the river, the lake and what we saw on the walk. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · from $190

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then take a jet boat through Mt Aspiring National Park on the glacier-fed Dart River. Your guide handles shallow channels, sharp turns, and 360-degree spins while explaining native plants, wildlife, Māori stories, and pioneer life. Guides such as Jordan, Pedro, Dean, and John have earned praise for their calm driving and lively commentary.

“Our guide was awesome very friendly and knowledgeable. Alkasy kept us informed on what was happening”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Gerês National Park Canyoning Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 407 reviews · 6 hours · from $115

Head from Porto to Gerês National Park in a nine-seat van, then follow guides such as Tiago, Marta, Miguel, or Diogo through a canyon of pools, slides, jumps, abseils, and zip lines. Wetsuits, Adidas Hydro Lace canyoning shoes, safety gear, photos, videos, and return transport are included. Bring swimwear and a towel.

“Great value! Beautiful views and amazing guides. Marta and Tiago were great about checking on the group, taking pictures for us, and preparing us for jumps, and plan B in case some didn’t want to jump. Beautiful cascades and a must do activity for anyone visiting Portugal.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · from $215

Set out from Wanaka with Wanaka River Journeys for a four-hour trip into the Matukituki Valley. You’ll ride a jet boat through shallow river braids, enjoy spins and mountain views, then take a 50-minute guided walk through beech forest to waterfalls and glacier-fed streams. Guides such as Ben and James add local insight along the way.

“Ben is a very knowledgable and gifted skipper. You are in for a real treat on this trip!!!! We had a blast with beautiful scenery, great jet boat ride and walk in a serene beech forest. Would definitely do this again when in Wanaka!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Canyoning Bled Slovenia Triglav National Park Tour with Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 125 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $126

Join 3glav Adventures for a 3.5-hour canyoning trip from Bled into Grmecica Canyon near Triglav National Park. You will rappel waterfalls, jump into pools, slide over smooth rock, and swim in clear water. Groups are limited to eight per guide, with Urban among the guides named by past participants.

“It was a wonderful trip! Guide was very professional and extremely fun. Really enjoyed the adventure.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 123 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $178

Ride the glacier-fed Dart River into Mt Aspiring National Park with an English-speaking driver-guide. Pedro, Finn, Dean, Simon, and others have been praised for skilled boat handling and clear stories about Maori legends, local history, and film locations. Add the Queenstown transfer for a scenic drive to Glenorchy, or self-drive and save time.

“A stunning day. Majestic scenery. A must do. An amazing experience. Thank you Dean for your skill, stories and sharing. A very special life adventure. Thank you.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Triglav National Park Canyoning Adventure with Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $111

Join guides such as Urban and Adam for a beginner-friendly canyoning trip from Bled into Triglav National Park. You will wear a wetsuit, helmet, harness, neoprene socks, and canyon shoes, then spend about two hours sliding, jumping, gliding, and abseiling through Grmecica or Jereka Canyon. Photos are included.

“Amazing trip with the most professional guide. He was so nice, funny, and spoke loud and clear. He made sure that everyone was safe and was the best hype man. Only thing was the warm van. Can highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · from $150

Meet High and Wild in Katoomba for a guided half-day abseiling session in Blue Mountains National Park. You’ll learn on a 5-metre drop, repeat 15-metre descents, then tackle a 30-metre overhanging abseil. Gemma and the instructor team provide close guidance, with equipment, park fees, and local transport included.

“Had a great tIme! Gemma was amazing, would definitely book again. She was extremely knowledgeable and made sure everyone had a great time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Bicycle, Rappel & Ziplines Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 46 reviews · 5.5 - 9 hours · from $109

At Rio Secreto, you cycle through the jungle, rappel toward Xibalbá, ride three ziplines, and walk beside an underground river. Guides such as Diana, Dane, and Mauricio lead the activities in English or Spanish. The cave is the main event, while the buffet, lockers, wetsuit, towel, and headlamp are included. Bring dry clothes and leave your camera behind.

“This tour was amazing, from the going down into a cave & exploring the waters it was an experience I will never forget. Dane our tour guide she was amazing & very informative.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 42 reviews · 4 hours · from $202

From Wanaka, you’ll ride a jet boat through the Matukituki Valley, pause beneath glaciers and Mount Aspiring, then walk for 50 minutes through mossy forest, streams, and waterfalls. Guides such as Ben add river skills and local stories. Bring sturdy shoes, a rain jacket, sun protection, and room for changing weather.

“Awesome experience! Bit expensive maybe, but after the 3hrs + of Jetboat and forest walk, I don't regret paying at all! Must do if you're staying in Wanaka!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Small Group Canyoning in the Pollino National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $89

You’ll follow a 2.5-kilometer canyon route in Pollino National Park, splashing through pools, sliding over smooth rock, jumping into water, and abseiling down two waterfalls with a rope and harness. The easy, three-hour outing starts and ends at Lao Rafting in Laino Borgo. It runs from May through September and suits most participants.

“Great and fun activity. Everyone enjoyed every bit of it. I will definitelygo back and try the more advanced path”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Extreme Rafting in Vikos Gorge National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65Best value

You’ll raft a 6 km stretch of the Voidomatis River inside Vikos Gorge National Park with certified guides such as Andreas, Christina, or Kosta. Expect clear, very cold water, mountain scenery, swimming stops, rock jumps, and a relaxed pace that suits beginners as well as families with older children. All equipment is provided.

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Canyoning In The Triglav National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $137

From Bovec, a professional guide leads you into a canyon beneath the Julian Alps. Expect a 20-minute uphill walk, three hours in the canyon, jumps from 3 to 8 meters, rappels, and a 50-meter waterfall descent. David guided one standout session, and groups are limited to 15 people.

“Took part in the intermediate canyoning with our instructor David - lucky enough to be the only 2 on our session (8am Sunday). The whole trip was an experience not to miss. Loved every part of it and David was incredible, making us feel very welcome and safe whilst having a good laugh along the way. Equipment was very good as well. Thank you. Definitely coming back in the future :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Siberia Experience:Fly-Hike-Jetboat:Wilderness Adventure:Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $353

Fly from Makarora over alpine valleys, land beside the remote Siberia River, and hike independently through native forest toward the Wilkin River. After 4 to 5 hours, a jet boat carries you back. Pilots Ryan and Hayden are praised for their skilled handling, but you need moderate fitness, good weather, lunch, and footwear suited to river crossings.

“Wauw, the flight in was absolutely beautiful, excellent pilot! Good hike, and really fun jetboat trip”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Via Ferratas In Triglav National Park And Julian Alps

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $616

Start early from Bled, Kranjska Gora, or Mojstrana and spend a full day on a guided via ferrata in the Julian Alps. Grega, Gregor, Ziga, Martin, or another Kofler Sport guide provides safety instruction, equipment guidance, and route support. Routes may include Mala Mojstrovka, Mojstrana, Hvadnik, or Jerm’n, depending on conditions and ability.

Check availability →Read our full review