The Popularity of National Parks: Best Destinations for Ash Scattering Services
National parks have long been a cherished part of the American landscape, offering breathtaking natural beauty, rich history, and a sense of peace and tranquility that’s hard to find anywhere else. As more families turn to destination ash scattering services to honor their loved ones, national parks have become one of the most sought-after locations for this final tribute. Whether it’s the majestic peaks of Yellowstone, the sprawling vistas of the Grand Canyon, or the lush forests of Olympic National Park, national parks are increasingly seen as the ideal backdrop for a meaningful farewell.
In this article, we’ll explore why national parks have become such a popular destination for ash scattering ceremoniesand how they’re closely tied to the growing trend of people ticking off bucket list items before they go. We’ll also highlight how services like BONAVENTURE’s ash scattering can help make these special moments possible in some of America’s most stunning locations.
National Parks: An American Treasure
The U.S. is home to some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world, many of which are preserved in national parks across the country. With 63 national parks, each offering unique landscapes—from towering mountains and dense forests to serene lakes and winding rivers—it’s no surprise that millions of people travel to these parks every year. According to the National Park Service (NPS), in 2022, over 312 million people visited national parks, and the number continues to rise annually. These parks have become not just a place for hiking, camping, or sightseeing, but also a symbol of preservation and peace.
As the world becomes more connected and people are able to travel further and more easily, the allure of national parks as both a vacation destination and a sacred location for memorialization has grown.
A Bucket List Experience for Final Goodbyes
For many, visiting a national park is a bucket list item. These parks are iconic destinations, often representing the untouched beauty of nature. As people reflect on their lives and seek meaningful ways to honor the memory of their loved ones, national parks have become a popular choice for destination ash scattering ceremonies. Scattering ashes in a national park offers families a way to honor their loved ones in a serene and awe-inspiring environment, allowing them to create a lasting memory in a place of natural wonder.
Many people who have visited these parks during their lives have formed a deep connection with the land. For them, choosing to scatter their loved one’s ashes in these spaces becomes a deeply symbolic act, a way to return the spirit to nature and ensure that their loved one is forever linked to a place of extraordinary beauty. National parks embody both the vastness of nature and the intimate connection one can feel with the Earth, making them a fitting setting for an emotionally significant farewell.
Why National Parks Are Perfect for Ash Scattering
Stunning Scenery and Tranquility National parks offer some of the most beautiful and tranquil settings imaginable. Whether it’s the grandeur of the Grand Tetons, the vibrant fall foliage of Acadia National Park, or the peaceful waters of Lake Yellowstone, these parks provide an unparalleled backdrop for honoring a loved one. The sense of awe and wonder that these landscapes evoke enhances the significance of the scattering ceremony, turning a simple goodbye into a profound tribute.
A Meaningful Connection with Nature The act of scattering ashes in a national park allows families to feel as though they’re connecting their loved one with nature in a truly lasting way. These places, which are often protected and preserved for future generations, provide a sense of continuity and peace. It’s as if the spirit is released into the very fabric of the natural world, where it can continue to thrive and be part of the landscape forever.
Wide Range of Locations to Choose From National parks span a vast range of terrains and environments, meaning there is a perfect location for every family and every memory. From Yellowstone’s geothermal wondersto the dramatic cliffs of Zion National Park, families can choose a setting that resonates deeply with the life and passions of their loved one.
Unique and Personal Memorial Experience Choosing a national park for an ash scattering ceremony offers a level of personalization that traditional burial or memorial services can’t match. The family can plan the ceremony in a meaningful way, ensuring that it reflects the personality, values, and life experiences of the deceased. Whether they loved hiking, wildlife, or just the quiet beauty of a secluded spot in nature, national parks offer a range of locations that can serve as a perfect final resting place.
There’s no one “best” option for every family—only what feels right for your values, traditions, and sense of legacy. For some, the permanence of a cemetery offers peace; for others, scattering ashes or returning to soil reflects a life lived in harmony with the natural world.
What matters most is that the choice feels healing for you and honoring for your loved one.
Learn when & where to scatter ashes in wildflower meadows across the American West. Tips, blooms, and National Park guidance included.
Send your loved one’s ashes into the world with unforgettable light-filled ceremonies—floating lanterns in Hawaii, fireworks over Italy, shimmering bioluminescent waters in Puget Sound, full moon farewells in Thailand, and the Northern Lights on Isle Royale. Celebrate life, memory, and love in a breathtaking, magical farewell.
Joint ash scattering — where the cremated remains of both partners are released in the same ceremony or location — has become a powerful, symbolic act for those who wish to remain side by side in the earth’s embrace.
Symbols of transformation: A guide to Ash Scattering during the magnificent Monarch butterfly migration.
Check out this guide for tips on a truly unique and special celebration of life tribute.
Read through our roundup of the best guides for ash scattering: from what to say to how to scatter in National Parks.
We’re deep diving into ash scattering traditions from around the world, including tips for scattering in those countries, their laws, and the most beautiful places to scatter.
As American families seek more eco-friendly, meaningful, and affordable ways to say goodbye, these European traditions offer a clear blueprint for what’s next in the evolving landscape of U.S. funerals and ash scattering.
We’ve crafted a guide to help families think through the best ways to honor their loved ones with ash scattering in a National Park.
The full deep dive comparing traditional burial, green burial, cremation, and ash scattering.
Our team has current former park rangers— here are our tips on scattering ashes legally, respects the environment, and maximizes the beauty of your tribute.
After guiding hundreds on Yellowstone’s trails, I’m sharing some of my insider tips for the best places to scatter ashes. And what to do to save money and be safe while you’re there.
Meet the BONAVENTURE team and learn about our process of scattering ashes in National Parks in some of America’s most sacred places.
Grand Tetons National Park: We’re family owned and operated, scouting locations for the most breathtaking places in the United States to scatter ashes. This is from the most recent expedition.
Explore the latest funeral and cremation trends shaping how we honor loved ones—from virtual funerals and crowdfunding memorials to personalized destination scattering in iconic national parks. Discover meaningful, sustainable, and customized ways to create lasting legacies.
BONAVENTURE helps answer some of the internet’s most asked questions about cremation and ash scattering.
Learn to scatter ashes the right way: From National Parks to right in your own backyard.
We’ve compiled 50 creative ways to scatter ashes— some ideas are poetic and some are tailored to hobbies and interests. But all of the ideas are crafted for maximum beauty and unique tributes for the loved one.
The choice to keep a loved one’s ashes at home is deeply personal, shaped by tradition, belief, and what brings you comfort. While some cultures view it as a disruption to the spirit’s journey, others see it as a way to stay close to those we love. At Bonaventure, we believe there’s no right or wrong—only what feels meaningful to you.
Many families choose to keep ashes in decorative urns, share them among relatives, or scatter them in places of significance like national parks or the ocean. If you’re unsure about what’s best, we’re here to help you explore options that honor your loved one’s legacy.
A Guide to Meaningful Memorial Destinations & How to Honor Your Loved One with Beauty and Care
Read on for a guide to selecting an ash scattering location for your loved one based on their personality type and interests.
National parks are sacred ground for many families—not just because of their beauty, but because of the memories made there. Whether it was a first road trip, a honeymoon hike, or a decades-long tradition of visiting wild places together, a final scattering in one of these majestic settings can feel like a homecoming.
Is it legal to scatter ashes in your state? This state-by-state guide explains the rules and offers a stress-free, professional alternative.
For those who found joy in birdsong, wonder in wide skies, and peace in the rhythm of wings, few tributes are more fitting than scattering ashes beneath the great migrations.
In this guide, we’ll explore the logistics, benefits, and profound significance of destination ash scattering, a practice that combines nature’s beauty with a meaningful farewell. From majestic national parks to tranquil shores, this ritual offers a unique opportunity to celebrate life in places that were cherished by the departed or hold deep personal meaning.
Ash Scattering in National Parks in 2025: Tips on places to scatter to honor your loved ones ashes among beautiful wildlife scenes.