best national parks in usa

Rainer than tourists, which totally changes the feeling of a national park. If you are making a national park road trip of the USA, arguably one of the most scenic drives in the west is on the road going through the center of Zion. Waterfalls flow from glaciated rock faces. Considered to be the world’s largest intact ecosystem in the northern temperate zone, Old Faithful Geyser is one of the most famous in the world. You might half expect a wooly mammoth to stumble out of the bush. You do really want to get onto the ice if you can! It is one of the incredible national parks in the USA. Plus, travelers that want to tick off another national park on the same vacation can travel the few miles north to Yellowstone, which adjoins Grand Teton (you’ll save roughly $10 on combined admission if you choose to visit both parks. Yucca trees (Joshua trees) have always fascinated me, and Joshua Tree National has them in abundance (obviously). It reserves most of Mount Desert Island, and is further associated with smaller islands, off the Atlantic coast. It is one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States. Yellowstone (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho) 2. Natural elements and time have gouged out some truly spectacular natural bridges and rock formations here. Rivers and epic... #2 Sequoia National Park. Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone is not your average park. MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe review – The ultimate lightweight backpacking stove to fuel your adventures. Discover some of the best natural beauty the region has to offer as we take in spots including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited park, and the awe-inspiring Mammoth Cave National … The fall colors here are truly incredible. Steam vents, lava rivers, jaw-dropping coastline all make up the draw to these landscapes straight out of middle earth. You have made it to the northernmost national park in the USA. Mt Rainer is the park’s highest peak (5th largest in the USA, excluding Alaska) at 14,400 feet. First things first. I am sure if politicians and developers had their way, the Everglades would have been developed into hideous strip malls long ago. This is primarily due to its relative proximity to many east coast states. Yellowstone (Wyoming) — Yellowstone is the first place to be called a “National Park” in the entire world. That’s because it’s quite the feat traveling to all 59 National Parks… Surprisingly, GSM is the most visited national park in the US. Located surprisingly close to Washington D.C., one can easily escape the city (and its filthy politicians) in a short period of time. Explore the most popular national parks in United States of America with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. I know. It is no wonder 3 million visitors a year come to Zion National Park. The sheer number of trails and wildlife-watching opportunities may seem daunting at first but one can always come back. But nature has a way of protecting itself. Arches truly is a red-rock wonderland. Aside from just being a pretty landscape, it has a ton of amazing and unique geothermal features, like … As of July 2018, the eruption of the Kilauea Volcano continues to dramatically change the landscape of the Big Island. Any time of year though bring a good jacket! How to choose the right tent to take backpacking – Every traveler needs a good tent. Great Smoky Mountain National Park is home to the oldest mountains in the US and draws more visitors than any other national parks in the country. We took the 25 most-visited national parks and ranked them -- from Yosemite and the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. The landscapes of Joshua Tree are dotted with massive granite boulders, rugged mountains, hidden oasis’, cactus, abandoned mine shafts, and desert-dwelling creatures. This travel guide will help you get to grips with 25 of the best national parks in the USA. The site is also to cover things that are related to the world. Many communities have been affected. A skier’s heaven. Hopefully, the drilling will cease before too much damage is done. Zion (Utah) 5. Acadia National Park spreads across 49,052 acres of land, which comprises of 30,300 acres of Mount Desert Island, 2,728 acres of Isle Au Haut and 2,366 acres of the Schoodic Peninsula. The wet, foggy climate of Washington state means that Mt. Best time to visit: Anytime that is not the middle of summer. Open grasslands down in the valley are home to a large population of elk and deer species. However, for a true escapist experience, head to the North Rim. If you're dreaming of an outdoor vacation filled with gushing geysers, animal encounters, towering rock formations and more, odds are you'll enjoy exploring a national park. Endangered species like wolverines and Canadian lynxes inhabit the park. How to avoid this? Glacier National Park spread over 1 million acres and includes parts of two mountain ranges and that are sub-ranges of the Rocky Mountains. At its heart are the Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Best Time to Visit: Spring, Summer, and Fall. Denali (Alaska) 6. I really love John Muir, ok. Desert Solitaire — A very moving autobiographical work of Edward Abbey, considered the Thoreau of the American West, and his passion for the southwestern wilderness. Mt. Check out all the places seen in this video: https://www.touropia.com/best-national-parks-in-the-usa/ The USA is a really big place. © 2020, The Broke Backpacker. You don’t have to be the most famous park to make it onto my best national parks in the USA list. Native American rock paintings offer up glimpses of the past. Located on Hawaii’s Maui Island, Haleakala National Park is another gem of the Hawaiian Island chain. Dramatic desert landscapes take over all of your senses from the moment you step foot in the park. Great lava rivers are still flowing as of this moment. Alpine trekking and world-class rock climbing routes. There is a sense of remoteness and solitude found here that is absent in the mainland US (with a few exceptions). Best sleeping bags to take traveling – Find the right sleeping bag for your journey. Hennessy camping hammock review – Quite possibly your new best travel mate. Tucked away in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park is probably the most truly wild park on my best national parks in the USA list (within mainland America). A must-read for anyone who loves rock climbing and adventure sports. Tackle the 37-mile circuit trek and really experience what the hidden geological gems of Bryce are about. Check in with the National park Service website for up to date details. Given its location in the Gulf of Mexico, this national park has a colorful history. This is the land where the buffalo used to roam en masse in the north-west corner of Wyoming. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best national parks in the USA because of its awe-inspiring mountains. Yet Voyageurs national park in … The landscapes are dramatic and the rewards of in-depth exploration are endless. People come from the world over to take in the spectacular geothermal activity that has transformed Yellowstone’s landscapes into something otherworldly. Thanks for your support. Yosemite is least fragmented, yet one of the largest habitat block of Sierra Nevada. I love this park because it reflects an America that once was: wild, untamed, radically beautiful, and isolated. They represent the finest that America has to offer. The structural remains of old houses and cabins can be found hidden throughout the park. It is one of the largest fauna, thus, being one of the most popular in the Continental United States. The park is famous for its orange-red hoodoo rock formations punctuated by outlying pine forest. Glacier is your dream destination. Being a student is one of the most incredible experiences especially for learners in... Earth and world is a place where you can find different known and unknown facts of our planet Earth. Miles of desolate peaks, rivers, lakes, coastline, and raw tundra seem to flow together in a never-ending sprawl. Roads have been destroyed. And since it sees quite a few visitors over the year, Rocky Mountain NP offers amazing places to stay at. Do you plan on taking a national park road trip? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. You now have an idea of just how massive and diverse the USA national park scene really is. Often referred to as one of the world’s natural wonders, the immense Grand... 3. He is an advocate for off-beat responsible travel and the preservation of the world's wild places and spaces. From alligators and poisonous snakes to rare orchids and bizarre insects… Everglades NP is simply a nature lovers dream come true. Early Precambrian rocks are the oldest rocks in the Raven Fork Valley and upper Tuckasegee River between Cherokee and Bryson City. When you think of stunning waterscapes, places like Acadia national park in Maine and Olympic national park in Washington probably come to mind. Want to support the site? These volcanoes are (very) active mind you. The best places to experience the beauty of the U.S. are its national parks. The photographer’s playground. This national park is one of the most popular national parks in the US, but for a damn good reason. Denali may be one of Alaska’s most popular national parks, but it is certainly worth traveling too. Since 1916, when the National Park Service was created, the United States has preserved wilderness areas within a system overseen by the US Department of the Interior. What to pack for this kind of a backpacking trip depends on several things. Top 10 Attractions in Yosemite National Park, 10 Most Naturally Beautiful Countries In The World, Top 10 Amazing Natural Swimming Pools In The World, 15 Facts About Antarctica You didn’t Know, Six Reasons you Should try Solo Traveling at Least Once in Your Life, 10 great UK Staycation Benefits for Those who Usually Holiday Abroad. As a younger American man, I felt like I didn’t really know my own country until I started exploring the national parks. The park encompasses the Teton mountain range, the 4,000-meter Grand Teton peak, and the valley known as Jackson Hole, a popular ski-resort town. For more inspiration, check out What’s in my backpack? The nearly 500-square-mile park also inhabits a range of wildlife, including black bears, grizzlies, moose, antelope and bison, and to welcome the autumn visitors, the park lights up with golden aspens. The flora is spread over an elevation range from 2,127 to 13,114 feet, comprising of five major vegetation – Alpine, Subalpine zone, Oak Woodland, lower montane forest and upper montane forest. Close, Chris Lininger is a writer, photographer, and guide from California. The underground Crystal Cave features cool streams and impressive rock formations. The park itself is quite large, making up a total area of more than 500,000 acres of protected land. Evidence of a past Native American presence can be found throughout the park. Whilst trekking through the marshland, keep an eye out for moose! Closest Big City: Los Angeles (Ontario and Palm Springs airports are closer), Best Time to Visit: Spring, Fall, and Winter. There are some fantastic hiking trails for those seeking to get out into the Maui wilderness. A vast network of sprawling limestone caves await. It is located in the Swain and Haywood counties of North Carolina, along with Sevier, Blount and Cocke counties in Tennessee, US. I’ll just say it here: fuck Donald Trump for opening up this ecological wonder to oil drilling and extraction. Rocky Mountain National Park… The mystical Kenai Fjords National Park is a land of ice, glaciers, ultra-clear lakes, abundant wildlife (including wales and eagles), and some of the most beautiful landscapes found in North America. It is one of the most amazing national parks in the USA. Best National Parks in the USA: West Coast, Best National Parks in the USA: East Coast, How to choose the right tent to take backpacking, accommodation options near Joshua Tree NP, tourist that gets seriously injured or killed by a buffalo, treehouses, cabins and lodges in Tennessee, General Sherman (the largest tree in the world), Trail Ridge Road (highest paved road in the US). Enjoy what you do get to see and explore the places you connect with until your heart’s content. Really, it is like a great sea of orange, yellow, red, brown, and all of the shades between. Best Time to Visit: Winter, Spring, and Fall. MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person tent review – My favorite backpacking tent on the market. Zion National Park named after the Hebrew word “refuge”, nestles in the Southwestern United States, near Springdale, Utah. Save the world, one backpack at a time. The alpine lakes and associated scenery are truly breathtaking. If you find yourself this far north in Alaska, congratulations! Old Faithful, Riverside, and Steamboat are … There’s plenty of accommodation near Yosemite. The park is a sprawling 6 million acre wilderness home to towering mountain peaks, grizzly bears, pristine rivers, and stunning long valleys. Bryce Canyon is a top national park filled with microclimates primarily due to the vast elevation differences found throughout. Of course, the best way to see the park is on foot. Adjacent to the Colorado River, it is home for 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch. Hike along the gorgeous Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Join me as I break down the highlights and natural wonders each national park offers backpackers, what to pack for your national park backpacking trip, USA national park maps, backpacker safety information, and much more. Mostly forested, the park is home to soggy wetlands, murky rivers, crisp waterfalls and craggy peaks like Hawksbill and Old Rag mountains. That is what Glacier is about. Sequoia National Park situated in the southern Sierra Nevada east of Visalia, California, in the United States, established on September 25, 1890. The artistic touch of mother nature has left Bryce Canyon with one of the most iconic landscapes in America. Best Camping Hammocks – Get to know the amazing world of #hammocklife. Shenandoah National Park is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains: one of my favorite places in the whole country. Check out these convenient places to stay near the Grand Canyon. Wales expel water from their blow holes in unexpected bursts. How to choose a backpacking stove – If you want to save money and eat well at camp, you need a stove. The park gets its name from the more than 2,000 sandstone arches scattered throughout the park. Grand Teton National Park home to Wyoming’s majestic Teton Mountains. Arches National Park is a US National Park located in eastern Utah. Closest Major City: No major cities nearby. When it comes to impressive desert landscapes, the Grand Canyon is king. Spot sea turtles, sharks, manta rays, and a multitude of other wildlife creatures by day, and sip rum on the beach by night. They can be quite aggressive during the mating season. Is America a safe place? Though if you do find yourself in LA en route to Joshua Tree, be sure to check out my Los Angeles travel guide. Wildlife, too, finds refuge in the wild lands in America’s national parks. Granted protection by the U.S. government in 1864, Yosemite and its … Best Time to Visit: All year round  (snow sports in Winter). Expect blazing desert sunsets. Fact is, Everglades National Park is so swampy and so wild in places, that it is virtually impossible to develop it! Plants like prickly pear cactus, Indian ricegrass, cheat grass, lichen, moss, liverworts, Utah juniper, Mormon tea, black brush, cliff rose, four-winged saltbrush, stemless woolly base, evening primrose, sand verbena, yucca, and sacred datura, dominate the dramatic arches, which makes Arches National Park one of the best in the US. Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah This state park in southeast Utah has drawn comparisons to the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Don’t know where to base yourself? Don’t be so foolish and selfie-greedy that you get within a few feet of the buffalo just to take a good picture. The South Rim- home to the Grand Canyon village and the well-worn Bright Angel Trail, is particularly popular among sightseers and hikers. Most of the national park remains closed due to volcano danger/damage. Be sure to get out into the wilds of the park. What’s a hoodoo? Due to its close proximity to Kings Canyon Nation Park and Yosemite National Park, you can really pack a lot in between these three parks if you only have four or five days to explore. Got an extended break? Home » North America » USA » Best National Parks in the USA (2020). Over the last ten years, I have crisscrossed the country multiple times getting to know some of the very best national parks in the USA. Enquire at the visitor center regarding their status before setting off on a hike. 25 Best National Parks in the USA 1. From the 13,770-foot Grand Teton to the shimmering Jenny and Jackson lakes – which reflect the mountains in their depths – is a jackpot for photography. Best national parks (57) #1 - Zion National Park The trails weave through impressive slot canyons, hidden swimming holes, and jaw-dropping landscapes. There are more hikers/backpackers and fewer buses packed with tourists. If you plan on tackling some multi-day backpacking or river trips here, make sure you come prepared to set forth into a true wilderness area. Like other parts of Alaska, Kenai Fjords has become popular with cruise ships. Horrible… But there are still many avenues in which to escape the daytime visitors. Your email address will not be published. Rivers and epic waterfalls galore. You Should Visit 1. Sounds pretty damn good. Don’t try to do too much! Many of the ice/snow hikes require crampons. Well there you have it friends… you have made it through my whirlwind tour of the 25 best national parks in the USA. Yes, the USA has its huge cities and historic towns, but the vast majority of the country still consists of rugged mountain ranges, empty deserts and deep forests. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Dry Tortugas National Park is an ecological wonder located at the very bottom of the Florida Keys. 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