The US is the place of dreams for many, and it’s no wonder why. Its beauty, nature, and good vibes leave many people dreaming of travelling there. National Parks are one of the highlights of a travel itinerary, with stunning spots, serene environments, children running and having fun, dogs making everything more heartwarming, and lots of activities; what’s not to love? Here are 7 of the best national parks in the United States that you need to know.
Yosemite National Park, California
California has a massive list of tourist attractions, but its natural side is on top. Spanning over a surface of nearly 1,200 miles, Yosemite National Park is nothing short of an adventure. It’s one of the most iconic and loved parks in the US. El Capitan and Half Dome are two of Yosemite’s most notable granite cliffs. The park’s natural beauty is embodied in these towering formations, which are also a favourite spot for rock climbers and photographers.
Some of the tallest waterfalls in North America can be found in this park. Known for being among the tallest in the world, Yosemite Falls is an iconic attraction, especially during springtime when its flow is at its peak. Bridalveil Fall and Vernal Fall are two more that must be mentioned. Yosemite is also home to numerous ancient giant sequoia groves. These include the Mariposa Grove, one of the largest sequoias in the world, containing over 500 mature trees, including the Grizzly Giant. The most common activities besides hiking are rock climbing, wildlife photography and picnics. Few places can compete with the natural beauty of Yosemite. It’s with good reason the park is a major bucket-list destination.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho
The first national park in the world is commonly acknowledged to be Yellowstone National Park; it’s one of the best national parks in USA. It’s mainly in the state of Wyoming, although it also stretches into Montana and Idaho, covering an area of over 2.2 million acres. Yellowstone is well-known for its geothermal activity and sits atop a volcanic hotspot. The park has over 10,000 geothermal features, including fumaroles, mud pots, hot springs, and geysers. Among these, Old Faithful is the most iconic, and The Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest – also known for its vibrant colours.
Numerous species of wildlife find refuge in the park. Large herds of bison can be found frequently grazing the grasslands. It’s also one of the few locations in the US where you can see grizzly bears in their natural habitat. For activities, you can enjoy trails, vehicle rides, bike rides, fishing, canoeing, camping and, of course, picnicking. The park has a rich cultural history, encompassing Native American heritage, early exploration, and conservation efforts. It played a pivotal role in the birth of the national park idea and has been a symbol of wilderness preservation and environmental ethics.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
You’ve definitely heard of this one. Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most famous and beautiful natural sites in the US and the whole world. The park’s centrepiece is the Grand Canyon itself, a massive gorge carved by the Colorado River millions of years ago. It’s one of the biggest natural canyons in the world at around 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep. The canyon’s walls reveal layers of ancient rocks, some dating back nearly 2 billion years; these layers offer a visual timeline of Earth’s geological history, making the park a significant site for geologists and palaeontologists.
Despite its harsh desert habitat, the park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the endangered California condor and bighorn sheep. The range of ecosystems and elevations enhances the park’s biodiversity. Activities for visitors include river rafting, hiking, and camping. The park offers trails ranging from leisurely strolls along the rim to challenging hikes down the canyon. Open all year round, the South Rim is the most easily accessible and beloved region, while the North Rim offers a more remote experience. The area has a rich cultural history, with Native American tribes considering the canyon a sacred site. Various viewpoints and informational sites offer insights into the region’s cultural significance.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, Tennessee
Being the most visited national park in the country, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a treasured destination that spans the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, it’s among the must visit national parks in USA. This 800-square-mile park is well known for its diverse range of wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and strong cultural ties. The enormous evergreen woods are its most famous feature, drawing tourists from all over the world with their spectacular display of autumn colours. The park is known as “Wildflower National Park” because of the more than 1,500 different species of blooming plants. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains are characterised by their jagged peaks and undulating hills.
The highest peak in the park, Clingmans Dome, provides expansive views of mountains draped in mist. With more than 800 miles of trails, the park offers many chances for hiking, backpacking, and wildlife spotting. The park is traversed by the famous 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, offering challenging hikes as well as stunning views. The park serves as a haven for countless animals. It’s most well-known for its black bear population, but tourists can also see over 200 different kinds of birds, white-tailed deer and elk. The park also provides chances for camping, horseback riding, fishing and breathtaking drives. A good spot for seeing wildlife and old buildings is the Cades Cove loop.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Home to Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, Denali National Park and Preserve is a pristine wilderness of untamed beauty. With its massive expanse of almost six million acres, this magnificent park offers an authentic wilderness experience with its combination of vast tundra, alpine woodland, and rugged mountain ranges. Denali, at 20,310 feet, towers over the park’s terrain. It presents a challenging task for climbers due to its sheer magnitude and the extreme conditions near its peak. In addition to being a climber’s paradise, the peak represents the untamed and isolated Alaskan environment.
Wildlife abounds in Denali National Park. It’s one of the few places visitors can catch sight of the “Big Five” of Alaskan wildlife, which include grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. A striking range of flora and fauna can be found in the park’s various ecosystems, which range from high alpine tundra and glaciers to lowland deciduous taiga. Numerous recreational opportunities are available in the park, including photography, animal observation, and backcountry hiking and backpacking. In contrast to many other national parks, Denali promotes trekking off-trail, providing a true wilderness experience. Denali Park Road, the park’s only road, offers access to several areas, and shuttle buses are provided for transit.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Nestled on Maine’s untamed shoreline, Acadia National Park is one of the treasures of the Northeastern United States, one of the top national parks USA. It covers an area of over 49,000 acres and is renowned for its breathtaking coastal views, abundant wildlife, and distinctive fusion of natural and cultural heritage. Acadia, the first national park east of the Mississippi River, draws millions of tourists yearly with its breathtaking scenery and exciting activities. The terrain of Acadia is incredibly diverse, with rocky beaches, dense forests, and granite peaks worn smooth by glaciers, such as Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast of the US.
One of the park’s striking features is its shoreline, which consists of rugged cliffs that plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. With their tide pools, the intertidal zones provide a window into the marine environment. The park has several islands and islets, each with its own distinct habitat. Acadia is a wilderness lover’s paradise. The park’s carriage paths are ideal for bicycling and equestrian riding. The paths were a gift from philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. Easy strolls along the shoreline and more strenuous hikes up the mountains are both possible on the hiking paths. It’s also common to do rock climbing, particularly on the coastal cliffs. Many animal species can be found in the park, including moose, black bears, white-tailed deer, and other bird species. Because of its coastal location, it’s an excellent place for birdwatching, including migratory seabirds.
