The USA is home to some of the most stunning national parks in the world. From Yellowstone to Zion, these parks are teeming with natural beauty, and they offer some of the most rewarding outdoor experiences.
If you`re looking for some inspiration when it comes to planning your next national park excursion, this article is for you. In it, we`ll dive into ten of the best national parks to visit in the US and provide helpful tips for making the most of your visit. So keep reading for all the national park knowledge you need!
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park is an amazing place to visit and explore. The park is located in Wyoming, and it’s one of the most biodiverse areas in the world.
There are many different things to do at Yellowstone National Park, including hiking, camping, fishing and hunting. You can also take scenic drives that showcase the park’s incredible landscapes.
If you’re looking for something more adventurous than a scenic drive, Yellowstone has plenty of opportunities for you as well! There is whitewater rafting on the Snake River; horseback riding; and even hot air balloon rides during the summer months!
The geysers at Yellowstone are another reason why this area is so famous. There are over 10,000 thermal features in the park including geysers such as Old Faithful which erupts every 90 minutes or so depending on how much water has been stored up inside it before it erupts again (which happens every four years).
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
There’s nothing like a good hike to get your blood pumping and your heart racing. And if you can combine that with the awe-inspiring beauty of the Grand Canyon, well, that’s just icing on the cake.
Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park is one of America’s most visited national parks and has been welcoming visitors for more than 100 years. It boasts a large number of hiking trails, both short and long, that offer breathtaking views of the canyon itself as well as its surrounding areas.
If you’re looking for an adventure, check out the Bright Angel Trail, which has been rated as one of America’s best day hikes by Backpacker magazine. This trail is considered easy to moderate and offers access to some of the most beautiful parts of the park: Bright Angel Point, Indian Gardens at 5 miles roundtrip; 2 miles past Indian Gardens to Plateau Point (6 miles roundtrip); Indian Garden Campground at 8-9 miles roundtrip; then back to Bright Angel Lodge at 10-11 miles roundtrip (depending on route).
For those looking for something longer or more challenging, consider the Hermit Trail or South Kaibab Trail from Jacob Lake on the North Rim to O Hohokam. These trails are rated as difficult and are recommended for experienced hikers only.
Death Valley National Park, California
Death Valley National Park, California is a stunning destination for outdoor enthusiasts. With its rugged terrain and diverse landscapes, it offers visitors an unforgettable experience that combines the beauty of nature with adventure.
The park is one of the hottest, driest places in North America, but that’s not all it has going for it. The park has some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth and is home to many rare species of animals, plants, and insects.
Death Valley National Park is also known as “the driest place on Earth.” It gets less than 1 inch of rain per year, and temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit in summer months. But despite this harsh climate, there’s plenty to see here!
It is home to some of the world’s most unique geological features such as Badwater Basin—the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level—Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Zabriskie Point. Visitors can also explore many hiking trails where they can take in breathtaking views or even see wild burros roaming around freely!
For those looking to explore Death Valley safely, here are some tips: pack plenty of water; wear light-colored clothing; apply sunscreen regularly; bring sturdy shoes suitable for uneven terrain; be aware of flash flood warnings during monsoon season between July – September; and be sure to check current weather conditions before embarking on your journey into this desert oasis!
Acadia National Park, Maine
If you’re looking for a place where you can hike endless trails, take in the sights of beautiful lakes and mountains, and enjoy delicious lobster rolls and clam chowder, then look no further than Acadia National Park.
Acadia is located on Mount Desert Island off the coast of Maine, and it’s part of the national park system. The park was first established in 1916 as Sieur de Monts National Monument, but it wasn’t until 1919 that it became Acadia National Park. It covers over 47 square miles and includes beaches, mountains, lakes, streams, the works!
The best time to visit Acadia is between June 1st and October 31st (depending on when the weather is nice), but if you want to catch some stunning views during those months then make sure you get up early because most people will already be out hiking by noon. If you’re looking for something more relaxing then come in late September or early October when many people have left already so there aren’t so many crowds around.
There are so many things to do while visiting this amazing park, hiking trails galore; beautiful beaches; kayaking on Lake Cadillac or Jordan Pond; biking through the carriage roads; or just sitting on the beach and watching the waves crash against the shore. Acadia is an amazing place to visit, so make sure you make it a priority on your next trip to Maine!
Arches National Park, Utah
Arches National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world. With over 2,000 natural sandstone arches and countless other rock formations, it’s not hard to see why this place is so popular.
The best time to visit Arches National Park is during the summer months when it’s warm enough for hiking and biking, but not too hot for strolling around the park. The best way to see all of the arches is by driving through it—park anywhere you want along the route and walk around until you find something interesting or beautiful. You’ll have plenty of time to explore because there are no crowds here! This makes Arches National Park a great place to spend quality time with friends and family without feeling rushed or crowded out by other tourists.
The park itself covers more than 46,000 acres which means there are plenty of things that can be done here besides just looking at sandstone arches (though that’s definitely worth doing). If hiking isn’t your thing then try bird watching instead! There are over 250 different species of birds in this area so chances are you’ll find some pretty interesting ones while walking around looking at rocks!
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is an American treasure. Located in Montana, this national park covers over 1 million acres and features hundreds of lakes, rivers, and streams. It’s also home to over 1,000 species of plants and animals, including the black bear—the official symbol of Glacier.
It’s no wonder that Glacier has been named one of the most beautiful places in America by both Forbes and National Geographic.
The park got its name from the glaciers that once covered it. Now, instead of ice-capped peaks, visitors can enjoy hiking along trails that meander through alpine forests and lush valleys.
For those who want to spend a little more time exploring Glacier National Park’s natural beauty, there are plenty of activities available: horseback riding on a ranch next to the park; taking a boat ride on Lake McDonald; golfing at one of two courses within its borders; or fishing for trout in one of its many lakes or streams.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mount Rainier is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s a volcano, and is both the tallest mountain in Washington State and one of the most dangerous. The park has a ton of different things to do – hiking, climbing, snowshoeing – but it also has a lot of history behind it.
The park was established in 1899 as Mount Rainier Forest Reserve, and became a national park in 1899. It was originally called Mt. Tacoma National Park until 1921 when they changed it to Mount Rainier National Park because they thought that name sounded better.
The park was named after its most famous feature – Mount Rainier itself! Mount Rainier is an active volcano which last erupted about 5500 years ago. It’s about 14,000 ft tall (4392 m), making it taller than Mt Everest by over 1000 ft!
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
The Rocky Mountains are a place of wonder, and Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best places to explore them. In this park, you’ll find the highest peaks in the lower 48 states, including Longs Peak, which stands at over 14,000 feet. You can also see some of the most beautiful wildflowers in the country during their blooming season, which lasts from mid-July through mid-August.
Rocky Mountain National Park has been one of my favorite places to visit since I was a child. I’ve always loved going on hikes, and there are plenty of trails in RMNP that are perfect for beginners. I remember one time when my parents took me to see Bear Lake, it’s an area where you can rent boats and row out onto the lake itself. The scenery is incredible: mountains rising up out of crystal-clear water with patches of snow still lingering from wintertime storms!
If you’re looking for something more challenging than just walking along a trail then consider taking on one of their more difficult hikes such as Wild Basin or Lumpy Ridge Loop Trail where there are steep inclines and rocky terrain but also some amazing views at the top!
Sequoia National Park, California
Sequoia National Park is located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, and it’s home to the largest living things on Earth: the giant sequoia trees.
The park is famous for its towering trees and breathtaking sightseeing opportunities. You might be shocked by how large some of these giants really are—the General Sherman Tree, for example, stands 275 feet tall (83 meters) and has a circumference of nearly 100 feet (30 meters).
The park also offers many recreational activities such as hiking and camping. The Giant Forest Museum features exhibits about park geology and plant life, including live demonstrations of animals that live in the forest.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
The Joshua Tree National Park is a place of stark beauty. It has been called the “most photographed” park in the United States, and with good reason. The park is located in eastern California, and it was established in 1936 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
It is named after the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), which grows throughout the park and has become synonymous with it. The trees are a type of yucca plant and can be found all over the park, but especially on its highest peaks where they sprout out from the rocky soil like upended wooden spears.
The landscape itself is made up of wide open spaces punctuated by thousands of these jagged-edged trees that stand around like sentinels guarding their territory from intruders. Visitors can hike through some areas while driving through others; either way will give them a unique perspective on this unique place.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park is a spectacular place to visit. With over 2 million acres of land and a diverse ecosystem, there’s plenty of room for you to explore!
The park is home to over 1,000 species of animals, including bears, coyotes, deer, foxes and more. You can also see birds like bald eagles, falcons and woodpeckers.
There are many different types of habitats in Zion National Park including desert shrubland, grasslands and coniferous forest. You can hike through these habitats on many trails or go biking along them. The best way to see all that this park has to offer is by taking a trip on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. It will take about 3 hours round trip but it’s worth it!
If you’re looking for something a little bit different than just hiking or biking then consider taking an ATV tour through Zion Canyon or kayaking down Narrows Creek at least once during your visit! These tours are great ways to get up close with wildlife (like deer) and see some incredible scenery that most people don’t get an opportunity to enjoy themselves while they’re there!
Tips on Planning for Your National Park Visit
If you’re planning a trip to one of the United States’ national parks, you might be wondering how best to prepare. There are tons of ways to make the most of your trip and make sure you get the most out of your experience. Here’s how!
1. Buy a map and plan out your route in advance. If you’re going on a road trip, this is especially important because it will give you a sense of where you’re going and what sights are along the way
. You don’t want to waste time or money by getting lost or taking unnecessary detours!
2. Bring sunscreen and water! The sun can be intense in some areas, particularly at higher altitudes (like Rocky Mountain National Park), so be sure to take precautions against sunburns by wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher at all times during daylight hours—and bring extra packets for reapplication if necessary! Also bring water bottles with you so that you can stay hydrated while hiking through rocky terrain or hot deserts like Death Valley National Park.
3. Wear comfortable shoes! This is important no matter where you’re visiting in America, but especially when visiting national parks because they tend to have uneven terrain that requires lots of walking (like Yosemite National Park). You don’t want to be distracted by your shoes when there’s so much beauty around you! So make sure you wear comfortable, broken-in shoes with good grip and support.
Final Conclusion
From the rugged beauty of Yellowstone to the red rocks of Zion, it’s easy to see why these 10 national parks are some of the most popular destinations in America. Whether you’re looking for adventure or restful relaxation, they provide a wide range of experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. So what are you waiting for? Plan your next visit today!
