Top 10 U.S. National Parks to Visit
1. Yellowstone National Park
In the northwest of Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park is home to Old Faithful, a famous geyser that erupts up to 20 times per day. This park is also home to major collections of hot springs, geysers, and America’s largest population of bison.
2. Rocky Mountains National Park
Located in the mountains of Colorado, this park offers beautiful mountainous scenery with peaks reaching over 12,000 feet. Horseback riding through the trails and exploring the 415 square miles of landscape are popular activities here.
3. Arches National Park
Found in Utah, Arches National Park is known for its iconic natural arches that are pictured on Utah’s license plates. This park offers a variety of trails to hike and explore the other unique rock formations.
4. Grand Canyon National Park
Encompassing parts of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, the magnificent Grand Canyon offers stunning views and a variety of hiking trails for tourists to enjoy. The Skywalk, a platform extending 70 feet over the rim of the canyon, offers an unparalleled view.
5. Acadia National Park
Located in Maine, this 49,000-acre park on Mount Desert Island offers rugged trails, rocky cliffs, and a rich history to explore. The beautiful wilderness is open year-round, and horse-drawn carriage tours are available.
6. Yosemite National Park
Established in 1890 in California, this national park is known for its beautiful scenery, canyons, forests, and waterfalls. Popular attractions include the massive waterfalls and Half Dome, a granite formation standing over 8,000 feet tall.
7. Glacier National Park
This 1,500-square-mile park in Montana is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, offering vast wilderness, deep human history, and a variety of hiking trails. Grizzlies can be spotted in the area, so caution is advised on the trails.
8. Zion National Park
Established as Utah’s first national park in 1919, Zion National Park offers stunning views, such as The Narrows, a beautiful slot canyon formed by 18 million years of river erosion. This park offers trails for hikers of all levels of experience.
9. Bryce Canyon National Park
Located in southwestern Utah, Bryce Canyon is known for its iconic hoodoos, which are formed from ice and rain carving away at the surrounding limestone. The park offers scenic beauty and colorful carved landscapes.
10. Redwood National Park
Found in northern California, this park is home to the world’s tallest trees, the giant Coast redwoods. Stretching 172 square miles, the park offers diverse habitats and no entry fee, making it a perfect place to explore by driving through.
These national parks each offer their own unique beauty and outdoor adventures for tourists to enjoy. With so many stunning landscapes and activities available, it might be difficult to choose just one park for your next vacation. Regardless of which park you end up visiting, you’re sure to have a memorable experience.