The United States of America is home to some of the world’s best national parks which are most mesmerising, and breath-taking in nature. From its diverse ecosystems to awe inspiring landscapes, national parks of the United States grab the attention and souls of millions of enthusiastic backpackers.
As a traveller it is very important to indulge in the parks interesting beauties like towering mountain ranges, vast desert areas, lush green forest coverage’s, pristine coastlines, and unique flora and fauna which are waiting to be discovered through hiking, photography or other outdoor activities. No matter whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, love hiking and photography, seek unique geographical beauties, or simply looking for peaceful retreats, America’s national parks offer unforgettable experiences to all who are coming.
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Best National Parks to Visit in the U.S
1. Yellowstone National Park
World’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park established in the United States on March 1, 1872. Known for its geothermal wonders like Old Faithful Geyser, diverse wildlife such as bison and wolves. Located in the Wyoming region of the United States, it is spread across 3 major regions: Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Park rich in vast landscapes, mountain ranges, hot springs, forest areas and rivers.
Yellowstone national park is home to many wildlife under its massive 8,991 sq.km of area. Visitors are more fortunate to spot animals like bears, wolves, bison, elk, moose and 60 different types of mammals. Never miss to find volcanic hot spots such as Grand Prismatic Spring and Mammoth Hot Springs and canyons and hot springs geysers.
2. Grand Canyon National Park
Often considered as the adventure paradise, Grand Canyon National Park offers unique geological features, colourful rock layers, and majestic size. According to some study, the national park was made up by the vast and deep gorge carving effects by the Colorado River around 2 billion years ago. Today the Grand Canyon is known for its unique natural beauty like V-shaped valley and steep walls, diverse wildlife’s and popular adventure activities like hiking, white-water rafting, kayaking and mule rides.
Recognised by the UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, Grand Canyon located in Northwest of Arizona USA, stretching around 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep. Visitors are eligible to enjoy its breathtaking viewpoints like Mather Point from Grand Canyon National Park. In 1919, Grand Canyon got national park status by President Woodrow Wilson.
3. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park located in Central California, the first country’s park dedicated to recreation and enjoyments. Established in 1890, Yosemite spread across 7, 47,956 acres of land coverage where visitors take multiple recreational activities like hiking, rock climbing, camping, fishing and photography. Despite the many other major national parks in the U.S, Yosemite is an ideal place to enjoy your family vacation opportunities.
Things like Granite cliffs like EL Captain (world’s tallest granite monolith- ideal place for rock climbing) and Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, Glacier point and some of the mind blowing cascading waterfalls such as Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall are available to us. It is important to a backpacker to watch surrounding and native wildlife’s such as black bears, bobcats, Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, mule deer and rare sierra. Interesting element in Yosemite National Park is its size, which roughly the same size as the State of Rhode Island.
4. Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a highest rocky hedland located in the Atlantic coastlines on Mount Desert in Maine. Park boasts a variety of landscapes like woodlands, lakes, ponds, granite domed mountains and ocean shoreline. Spread across 47,000 acres of land, Acadia National park is rich in unique habitants, wildlife’s hiking trails and cultural heritage sites. Hiking (its 120 miles of trails) and Biking is often considered as the most popular outdoor activity in Acadia.
Acadia National Park is the first place to witness sunrise in the US, it is possible to watch visitors when they take scenic drives and hiking trails. Visitors can indulge in a variety of interactive activities such as guided walks, education programs and outreach activities. Enjoy parks historic 27 miles of Loop Road, known more scenic access to shoreline and interior forests. Ranked one of the oldest yet 10 most visited national parks in the United States, where 4 million visitors explore the park annually.
5. Zion National Park
Zion National Park is a place where visitors experience breathtaking natural beauties with the country’s best and unique geographical conditions, beautiful landscapes, rich biodiversity and recreational opportunities. Located in South Western Utah, Zion National Park includes towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyon, and scenic hiking trails in Angel’s Landing and skiing in desert landscapes to enjoy its breathtaking natural beauty.
Spans 1,46,000 acres of land which was carved by the long gorge of the Virgin river. Heaven for adventure backpackers, where they can spend their quality of time with stunning backdrops for hiking, stargazing, horseback riding, wildlife watching, rock climbing, and scenic photographic landmarks. Visitors easily access nearby attractions like Salt Lake City, Vegas or Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding mountain ranges.
6. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Welcomes more than 12 million visitors every year, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an ideal gateway for hikers, campers and those who wish to enjoy great views of America’s oldest mountain ranges. Located in Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky represents smoke due to the ever present morning fog. Park popularly rich in diverse plants and animal life, ancient mountains, 80 historic buildings, display of wildflowers, wildlife and mountain cultures.
Park established in 1926, making it an easy and convenient destination for families, nature lovers and outdoor adventure seekers. Since it is part of the Appalachian Mountains, where more than 800 miles of hiking trails are available to us which run through the park. Grotto, Laurel, Rainbow, Abrams and Mingo are some of the parks’ famous waterfalls. National Park Foundation will help us to explain up to date latest park stories. Out of all 63 US National Parks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is single most visited national park.
7. Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is a place where travelers will catch up America’s diverse ecosystems, rainforest, mountain ranges and vast coastlines. Officially recognised as a national park in 1938, park heaven for multiple outdoor activities due to its impressive and unique natural beauties. Park contains calm pools, rugged trails for hikers, gorgeous waterfalls, tidal waves, 73 miles of long coastlines, marine and native flora and faunas and night skies which are really impressive things to enjoy.
Located in the state of Washinngton, USA, over 95% of the park areas considered as wilderness in order to Olympic National Park is one of the largest wilderness areas in the World. Visit Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge, Kalaloch, Ruby beach, Sol Duc Hot Springs and Mount Olympus. Park is a great place to catch sea otters, whales, beavers, bears, rhinoceros auklets, golden eagles and even more animals.
8. Arches National Park
Another Utah’s park home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, Arches National Park boasts surreal rock formations, hiking opportunities and scenic photographic destinations amidst its stirring red rock desert landscapes. Located in South-eastern Utah, despite its sandstone arches, it is renowned for remarkable geological formations such as spires, ribs, hoodoos, arches, balanced rocks and pinnacles.
Spread around 73,234 acres of land, Delicate Arch is the prime attraction under Arches National Park, containing a 65 foot arch. Other arches like Double O Arch, Broken Arch, Landscape Arch, Windows Loop and Tower Arch are so popular. Visitors can explore parks landscapes and its natural sandstone arches through activities like biking, camping, rock climbing and hiking.
9. Bryce Canyon National Park
Park is known for its unique hoodoo rock formation witnessing many red rock hoodoos as trees. America’s natural park located in the South-western of Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park filled by the mule deer graze and dusk with the series of natural canyons standing an array of white, pink and orange limestone’s. Park is a great place to experience hiking, stargazing and scenic drive through the surreal landscape of spire shaped formations.
Due to millions of years of water and wind effects that carved into the plateau fields of distinctive red rock pillars and hoodoos. Bryce Canyon is home to dozens of species of mammals and birds. Since the park is at an elevation of 8,000 to 9,000 feet, making it a great place to experience winter sports like snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
10. Everglades National Park
Often considered as one of the largest tropical wetlands in the world, the Everglades National Park offers unique ecosystems, endangered species, mangroves, vast areas of wetlands and alligators. Located in Florida, Everglades encompasses 1.5 million acres of tropical and subtropical habitat including the world’s most diverse ecosystems. Even today, the park is the only place in this world where both alligators and crocodiles coexist and is the largest continuous stand of sawgrass prairie.
Established in 1934, recognised by the International biosphere Reserve, Wetland of International Importance and World Heritage Site. Offers foraging and breeding habitat for more than 400 species of birds including migrated. Even today Everglades National Park is the largest remaining subtropical wilderness left in North America. Every year the park welcomes more than 1 million visitors from all over the world.
Note:
- Visit National Park Service to know more about above 10 National Parks.
- Recreation.gov would help us to buy annual pass and permits includes fees, recreational activities, camping and lodging, permits and even more things.
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