I dropped Jen off at the ferry over to Put-In-Bay so she can visit Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, her 393rd national park unit (yay!).

I’ve already been there, of course, and we have a few other things we’d prefer to see today instead of spending extra time on the island. So we decided that she would make it a quick trip over-and-back just to see the park unit, and I would stay behind, saving us a $44 ferry ride plus an $18 parking fee. So here I am, enjoying a coffee and typing out a quick blog post.

Buck Island is only accessible via boat; the primary activity here is snorkeling an underwater trail around the island’s reef.

National Parks that usually involve a ferry ride

Her morning itinerary got us to thinking about how many national park units usually involve a ferry for most visitors. Here’s the list that came to mind, as I walked her to the ferry terminal:

  • Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (OH)
  • Isle Royale NP (MI)
  • Statue of Liberty NM (NY)
  • Governors Island NM (NY)
  • Cumberland Island NS (GA)
  • Dry Tortugas NP (FL)
  • Channel Islands NP (CA)
  • Pearl Harbor NMEM (HI)
  • Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie NHP (SC)
  • Buck Island Reef NM (USVI)
  • Apostle Islands NL (WI)
  • Lake Chelan NRA (WA)
  • Kenai Fjords NP (AK)
  • Fort Matanzas NM (FL)
  • Biscayne NP (FL)
  • Glacier Bay NP & PRES (AK)
  • San Juan Island NHP (WSA)
  • Virgin Islands NP (USVI)
  • Virgin Islands Coral Reef NM (USVI)
  • Voyageurs NP (MN)

As with any list, there are arguments to be made around what should be included and what shouldn’t. For instance, I think you could also make an argument for including Golden Gate NRA (specifically due to Alcatraz, which is definitely its best known attraction), and even Pictured Rocks NL, which sees a lot of tour boat traffic in the summer, even though neither unit requires a boat ride. And Virgin Islands NP and Virgin Islands Coral Reef NM are on St John, and the entire island is usually accessed via ferry from St Thomas, so I’ve included both of those, even though you can easily drive to either unit once you’re on the island itself. Kenai Fjords NP often involves a boat ride too, but I think far more visitors also make the hike to Exit Glacier, so…should the boat ride count? I say yes; after all, the fjords is in the damn name itself. There are other parks with sites or areas that are only accessible via ferry, but they do not serve as a primary attraction, so they don’t make the list.

Are there any others I’ve forgotten or ones you wouldn’t include?