For over a century, the government of the United States has overseen the care of millions of acres designated for “enjoyment,” “education,” and “inspiration.” These wildernesses are great for a wide range of activities, including hiking, camping, sightseeing, gaining an appreciation for cultural and natural history, and even just sitting back and thinking about how amazing the universe is. Millions of people from all over the world flock to the United States 63 national parks each year to experience the country’s diverse landscapes and natural attractions. The parks have implemented daily visitor caps in some cases, requiring advanced online booking for admission. Check the National Park Service website for closures or to make camping reservations before packing up the car for a day trip, weekend getaway, or week-long adventure.
Ready to hit the road? Here’s our pick of the 7 top national parks in the United States:
- Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, California is one of the most popular national parks in the USA. It is known for its many beautiful waterfalls, like Vernal Fall and Bridalveil Fall, and its unique granite rock formations, like Half Dome and El Capitan. Besides its natural beauty, Yosemite is a great place to go hiking or camping. No matter what your plans are, you should stop at the Tunnel View Outlook to admire the spectacular view of Yosemite Valley. Not only is the scenic vantage point convenient to get to, but it’s also quite absolutely breathtaking.
- Yellowstone National Park
The 2.2 million-acre park, the USA’s first national park, is known for its unique natural attractions and diverse geography. Furthermore, this massive national park spans through Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Tourists can get lost in the beauty of Yellowstone’s numerous clear lakes, red mountains, buffalo-filled valleys, and, of course, its exemplary geysers and hot springs. Planning a trip to the park in April, May, September, or October will help you avoid the throngs of people that are usually present at other times of the year.
- Glacier National Park
This top national park in Montana encompasses two mountain ranges and has more than 700 lakes, making water and mountains its defining features. Take advantage of the park’s many hiking trails, and don’t miss the Trail of the Cedars and Iceberg Lake Trail, which are popular with visitors. Going-to-the-Sun Road offers breathtaking views, and Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is a one-of-a-kind destination recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Furthermore, the park offers many free ranger-led activities like guided hikes and stargazing events that are suitable for people of all ages.
- Grand Canyon National Park
The vast beauty of Grand Canyon National Park cannot be captured by even the best photographs. To appreciate the beauty of the majestic Grand canyons of Arizona; you really need to see it in person. There are endless opportunities for outdoor recreation in this 182 by 277-mile UNESCO World Heritage Site, including rafting the Colorado River and hiking trails of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty. The North Rim is a little less crowded and a good place to get away from the massive crowds of tourists. And if you’d like to see the Grand Canyon from a new and exciting perspective, why not take a helicopter tour and see it from above?
- Zion National Park
One of the USA’s top national parks in Utah is a dream destination for adventurers. You can hike up Angels Landing, a natural staircase that rises nearly 1,500 feet, or you can hike The Narrows, a 10 mile route that winds through Zion Canyon’s narrowest section and requires hikers to head upstream on the Virgin River. Get in your car and travel the nearly 60-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which passes many of the park’s most well-known attractions.
- Grand Teton National Park
The wilderness of Jackson Hole’s hinterlands is a fascinating place just waiting to be explored. More than 200 miles of trails wind through this Wyoming National park, which was once home to ranchers and fur trappers, and offer views of the park’s most remarkable feature: the Grand Teton mountain range, with its jagged, snow-capped peaks. The most beautiful display of the park’s breathtaking topography is found along the Cascade Canyon Trail. Don’t leave without picking up some maps and checking the informative Don’t leave without picking up some maps and checking the informative displays. You can also watch the park’s documentary film at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center.
- Rocky Mountain Nation Park
Among all the top National Parks in The USA, The Rockies get a high convenience score. Just 70 miles to the northwest of Denver, this is a great place to visit for the day. Yet, this Colorado park is so large that you could easily spend several days exploring it. More than 300 miles of scenic trails, countless lakes, and dozens of mountains over 10,000 feet in elevation all make up the magnificent landscape of the Rocky Mountain National Park. The Emerald Lake Trail is a favorite among hikers because it is less than 5 miles round-trip and offers stunning vistas of the alpine landscape.
