Travel nursing offers more than a paycheck and a new hospital badge. Assignments across the country place healthcare and allied health professionals within driving distance of some of the most breathtaking landscapes in America. AB Staffing is a top travel nurse staffing agency, connecting nurses, therapists, and other professionals with facilities in states that also happen to be home to the nation’s most iconic national parks. Each new assignment can double as the start of a personal bucket list tour of protected wilderness, towering peaks, and unforgettable scenery.
Before setting out, check the National Park Service website and app for every park mentioned in this article. The site and app share current wildfire alerts, reservation requirements, entry fees, and other details that change throughout the year.
Key Takeaways
- Ten national parks pair with major AB Staffing destinations, including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Glacier, and Denali.
- Rocky Mountain and Glacier National Parks require timed entry reservations during peak season, so book ahead of the trip.
- Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is erupting in ongoing episodes, and overlooks can close on short notice.
- Every state featured in this article, from Arizona to Virginia, currently has active AB Staffing openings.
Arizona: Grand Canyon National Park
AB Staffing currently has more than 130 open positions on the Arizona Travel Nurse Job Board. Nurses placed in the state gain easy access to Grand Canyon National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the country. The South Rim serves as the classic entry point, overlooking 278 miles of the Colorado River and a canyon that stretches a mile deep in places. Visitors searching for a quieter southern destination can also explore Saguaro National Park near Tucson.
California: Yosemite National Park
California has the most AB Staffing openings, with more than 230 active positions statewide. Nurses assigned along the West Coast can head inland to Yosemite National Park, protected since 1864 and known for soaring granite cliffs and cascading waterfalls across nearly 1,200 square miles. Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley National Parks sit within reach of many California assignments as well, so travelers rarely run out of new terrain to explore.
Montana: Glacier National Park
AB Staffing maintains open travel nurse positions throughout Montana, putting Glacier National Park within reach of many assignments. Known as the Crown of the Continent, Glacier offers the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, alpine lakes, and grizzly country views along more than 700 miles of trails. For a closer look at what a Montana assignment near the park looks like, read this adventure guide from AB Staffing.
Washington: Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks
Nurses can browse current openings on the Washington Travel Nurse Job Board and choose between two different park experiences within a few hours of each other. Mount Rainier rises 14,410 feet as an active volcano ringed by wildflower meadows, while Olympic National Park trades alpine terrain for a temperate rainforest and rugged Pacific coastline.
Tennessee and North Carolina: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
AB Staffing has a strong presence in both states, with more than 40 positions in Tennessee and over 150 in North Carolina. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, straddling the border between the two states. The park is home to black bears, elk herds, and the synchronous fireflies that draw visitors from around the world each summer.
Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado currently has more than 57 active positions on the Colorado Travel Nurse Job Board. Nearby, Rocky Mountain National Park offers over 350 miles of hiking trails, frequent elk sightings, and Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the National Park System. Nurses planning a hike should check the AB Staffing travel nurse gift guide for packing ideas before heading into the alpine tundra.
Hawaii: Haleakalā and Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks
More than 39 positions are currently open on the Hawaii Travel Nurse Job Board. Haleakalā National Park rewards early risers with sunrise views from its dormant volcanic summit. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park centers on Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, which continues to erupt in episodes throughout 2026. Check the park website before visiting, since overlooks and roads can close on short notice.
Alaska: Denali National Park
Alaska currently offers more than 58 active positions on the Alaska Travel Nurse Job Board. Denali National Park spans six million acres of wilderness and includes North America’s tallest peak at 20,310 feet. Provider Jessica shared her experience working a labor and delivery assignment in Alaska, offering a firsthand look at what life near Denali can look like during an assignment.
Virginia: Shenandoah National Park
Virginia leads all states with more than 200 active AB Staffing positions, many of them within easy reach of the DC and Northern Virginia corridor. Shenandoah National Park offers easy weekend access to Skyline Drive, 105 miles of mountain overlooks that turn especially vivid during fall foliage season.
Conclusion
Wherever an assignment leads, adventure rarely sits far away. From the Grand Canyon’s mile-deep views to Denali’s wild expanse, national parks give travel nurses a reason to explore every state where they work. Each stop on this list pairs naturally with the flexibility that travel nursing already offers, turning days off into memories that last well beyond the assignment.
Ready to combine your career with your next adventure? Browse open positions with AB Staffing today.
Apply for travel nursing jobs through the AB Staffing Travel Nurse Job Board.
FAQ
Which national parks are closest to popular travel nurse destinations?
Many high-volume assignment states sit near major parks, including Arizona (Grand Canyon), California (Yosemite), Colorado (Rocky Mountain), and Virginia (Shenandoah).
Do these national parks require reservations or timed entry?
Some parks, including Rocky Mountain and Glacier, require timed entry reservations during peak season. Check the NPS website and app before visiting to confirm current requirements.
Is it safe to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park right now?
Kilauea continues to erupt in periodic episodes. The park generally stays open, but overlooks and roads can close on short notice, so check current conditions before a visit.
