Explore the best national parks in the world. Discover stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. Discover nature’s most beautiful landscapes. From the geysers in Yellowstone to the majestic peaks and turquoise lakes of Banff, and wildlife in Kruger. Plan your next trip to these iconic parks, and discover the wonder and beauty of some of the world’s greatest natural treasures. Ideal for camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Start your adventure today!
National parks
National parks are areas that have been designated by the government to protect wildlife, cultural heritage, and natural beauty. The parks provide recreational, educational, and tourist opportunities while protecting ecosystems and biodiversity. Here are some of the most notable national parks in the U.S.
Best national parks in the U.S
Since more than 100 years, the National Park Service has managed millions of acres exclusively for the “enjoyment and education of this generation and future generations.” 63 best national parks are designated in the United States today, and they attract millions of visitors each year who come to see breathtaking natural wonders. U.S. News compared the scenic beauty of the parks with the range of activities and consulted travel experts as well as recent park visitors to determine which the best were.
Top 15 Best National Parks in the U.S
- Glacier National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
- Zion National Park
- Denali National Park and Preserve
- Kenai Fjords National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Arches National Park
- Sequoia National Park
- Olympic National Park
- Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
- Mount Rainier National Park
1. Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is situated on the border of Canada and Montana. It was named after the glaciers that once covered the area during the Ice Age. The park is known as the “Crown of the Continent” because of the dizzying variety of natural beauty. The park is a favorite among hikers. It offers trails of all levels of difficulty, from the easy Trail of the Cedars, which features towering cedars, to the more challenging Grinnell glacier, which provides panoramic views. The park also boasts 700 lakes, two mountain ranges, and numerous waterfalls spread over more than one million acres.
It’s not just the geological wonders that make this park so special, but also its rich history. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a 50-mile scenic drive that provides spectacular views and access to popular hiking paths. It’s a National Historic Landmark. Many of the park’s hotels, lodges, and chalets were built by the Great Northern Railway during the early 20th century.
2. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park has dramatic peaks, pristine lakes, and lush forests. It is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. It has a variety of pools, verdant forests, and expansive meadows. Volatile geysers shoot streams of steaming hot water into the air. It’s not surprising that everyone thought John Colter, a scout who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expeditions in 1807, was exaggerating when he described Yellowstone’s fascinating geothermal features. Today, it’s clear that the park truly is extraordinary. Be prepared to share trails with buffalo, elk, and even grizzlies as you explore the park’s 3,000 square miles of geysers, waterfalls, canyons, and mountains.
Yellowstone is visited by more than 4,000,000 people every year. However, unless you plan to spend the entire time at old Faithful you will not see many of them. Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres stretch from Wyoming to Idaho and Montana. There is plenty of unexplored territory. Spend a few days at Yellowstone Lake or Mammoth Hot Springs to enjoy the views. Save some time to explore the less-known areas, such as the West Thumb Geyser Basin or the Lewis River Channel. Although the sheer amount of trails and wildlife viewing opportunities may initially seem overwhelming, you can always return.
3. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is known as one of California’s most beautiful natural landscapes. The park covers almost 1,200 square kilometers and is home to some of the most unique rock formations in the United States. Yosemite Valley is the area that attracts the most tourists, despite the park’s enormous size. You’ll also find some of the most popular landmarks in the park, including Half Dome El Capitan and excellent hiking trails.
Yosemite is accessible to even inexperienced hikers: local adventure outfitters offer guided tours and climbing lessons (like those on our list of the best California tours). Don’t expect to see it all by yourself. Yosemite is no different. Around 4 million tourists visit the park each year. If you visit at the right moment (and begin your day earlier than usual), Mother Nature will show you her wonders in a serene and miraculous way.
4. Grand Canyon National Park
This canyon is so much more than “grand”. This natural wonder in northern Arizona measures approximately 277 river-miles in length and up to 18 miles in width. It is also a mile in depth. For 6 million years, the Colorado River has been helping to expand the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon has attracted visitors from all over the world. The Grand Canyon is managed by the National Park Service, and it has been officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 4 million annual visitors are left in awe.
If you want to escape the crowds, then you may not find it at all easy. South Rim, home to Grand Canyon Village as well as the well-worn Bright Angel Trail is a popular destination for hikers and sightseers. This side has the most amenities. To escape the crowds, visit the North Rim. Backwoods camping and extreme hiking are available here. Consider a Heli-tour for an unforgettable view of the Canyon.
5. Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is a spectacular place to see the Teton Range. The jagged peaks are reflected in the lakes and mountains of Grand Teton National Park. The photo opportunities are endless, from the 13,770-foot Grand Teton up to the Jenny or Jackson lakes that can reflect the mountains. The park is not just for photographers and mountaineers. Cross-country skiing and winter snowshoeing are available in the winter.
During the summer peak season (July/August), the trails of the park are open to all hikers. They reveal hidden waterfalls and stunning views of the Tetons. Snake River is a popular destination for kayakers, rafters, and people who just want to float. Historic districts such as Menors Ferry or Mormon Row are popular with history buffs who want to learn more about the past of this part of the Western Frontier.
In the park’s 500 square miles, you can also find a variety of animals, such as black and grizzly beavers, bison, antelope, and moose. Autumn visitors will also be able to see the park lit up by golden aspens. If you want to visit another national park during the same trip, travel a few miles north along the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway to Yellowstone, located adjacent to Grand Teton.
6. Zion National Park
Zion National Park, named after the Hebrew word for refuge and located in the southwest corner of Utah, is no longer a quiet refuge. It is one of the busiest parks in the United States, with more than 4,000,000 visitors a year. Zion Canyon’s apricot color is a hidden treasure that tourists can’t get enough of. You can view it by wading through its Virgin River or ascending Angels Landing.
The views are even more spectacular as you turn the trail or bend the river. The blanket of stars in the night sky adds a special touch to an active day. When it’s time for you to return to reality from your refuge, the 166-mile drive from Las Vegas and the 308-mile drive from Salt Lake City will give you the time needed to take in all the beauty that has just been experienced.
7. Denali National Park
Denali National Park Preserve covers six million acres in Alaskan wilderness. It is as fascinating as it is vast. Denali is the tallest mountain of North America and occupies a sixth of the park. It stands at 20,310 feet. There aren’t many marked trails in the park, which makes it appealing to true explorers. Free ranger-led hikes on the trails are offered seasonally. Visitors can watch a dog sled demonstration, go skiing, or take a guided bus tour along the 92-mile Denali Park Road.
8. Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park, which is made up of glaciers and coastal fjords, transports visitors back to an era when ice covered much of the Earth. Harding Ice Field is the most prominent feature of this Alaskan Park. It was formed over 23,000 years ago. The Harding Ice Field Trail, which is 8.2 miles long and covers a 700 square mile area, allows you to see the entire park. The Glacier Overlook Trail or Glacier View Loop Trail will allow visitors to see Exit Glacier flowing from the famed Ice field. Take a kayak tour or a boat trip to see the landscapes up close.
9. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southwest Utah. It has an otherworldly landscape made up of 12 amphitheaters or horseshoe-shaped Canyons on the eroded Paunsaugunt Plateau. Visitors are drawn to the whimsical limestone formations created by rain and erosion. They love exploring the fins, slot canyons, and tall, thin spires known as hoodoos. Bryce Canyon National Park has more hoodoos per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Bryce Canyon National Park offers 150 miles of visibility when the elevation reaches 9,115 feet. The park is also ideal for stargazing, as it has very little light pollution. The International Dark-Sky Association declared Bryce Canyon an International Dark Sky Park in 2019.
10. Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood National Parks and State Parks, as their name implies, are known for the tall redwood trees that can reach more than 300 feet in height. In addition to exploring old-growth forests, visitors can also hike along 40 miles of Pacific Coast coastline, passing through rivers, and prairies, and spotting wildlife such as elks, sea lions, and different species of birds. If you can’t stay there, the park’s features may be seen from gorgeous drives like Howland Hill Road or Enderts Beach Road. There are four campgrounds for those who want to sleep under the stars and wake up with the sun.
11. Arches National Park
Arches National Park feels like a different planet. It has thousands of natural arches made from sandstone, as well as red rocks, landforms, and landforms that are in incredible configurations. The light changes every second. Photographers are attracted to the park by the way shadows dance across the arches. They love to capture the enchanting views of the park, especially in the morning and evening. Arches National Park offers more than just the perfect place for photographers.
The park is located 5 miles north of Moab in Utah. It has 26 miles of scenic roads and hikes to suit all levels of fitness. Hikers have a variety of options, from shorter 20-minute hikes to Balancing Rock or Double Arch to longer and more challenging treks to Fiery Furnace or Delicate Arch. You can always look up to see the Milky Way. The Colorado Plateau has some of the darkest sky in the United States.
12. Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park, home to some of the largest trees in the entire world, is an awe-inspiring place to visit. The park’s majestic trees can make you feel very small. The park is located about 80 miles east from Fresno in California’s southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. It was created in 1890 to prevent the giant trees from being cut down. This makes it park. In 1940, the adjacent Kings Canyon National Park opened, and eventually both parks were linked.
The trees are the main attractions of the park. The General Sherman Tree is perhaps the largest tree in the world. It stands at 275 feet high and has a base that measures 36 feet across. There is much more to do than just admire the park’s plants. From hiking and snowshoeing to exploring caverns, there are many things to enjoy. The park is open all year round, and every season has its own charm.
13. Visit Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park in Washington State, located on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, has something to offer every type of nature lover. From hikers, to stargazers, to boaters, to photographers. Visitors can enjoy the nearly 1 million acres of this park, which includes glacier-capped mountain ranges, old-growth temperate forests, and more than 70 miles wild coastline.
In 1897, President Grover Cleveland designated the Olympic Forest Reserve in response to growing concern about the disappearance of the forests.
Franklin Roosevelt, President of the United States from 1938 to 1940, was responsible for the park’s title. The park is now a World Heritage Site as well as an International Biosphere Reserve.
14. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park offers visitors the chance to see two of the most active volcanoes in the world, Mauna Loa & Kilauea. Visitors can see the Kilauea volcano erupting almost continuously from several points within the park. These include Crater Rim Drive, and the famous Chain of Craters Road. Kealakomo Overlook is a great place to stop while driving on Chain of Craters Road. The Kealakomo Overlook offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the ancient village, and Kealakomo.
15. Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park, the fifth national parks in America, was founded in 1899. The 14,410-foot active volcano that bears its name is the park’s dominant feature. It is the tallest mountain in the Cascade Range, and has the most glaciated peak on the continent of the United States. There are 25 named glaciers. Each year, thousands of people scale the glaciers of Mount Rainier to see the contrast between the steaming volcano that last erupted back in 1854 and the icy rivers on its side.
Visitors don’t need to be mountaineers in order to enjoy this park. The highest point of the park that is accessible by car is Sunrise. It is 6,400 feet high. In summer, you can visit subalpine meadows to see wildflowers, Winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing offer a different viewpoint of the area. Furthermore uncertain is the weather.
Best National Parks: Challenges and Opportunities
National parks are not immune to challenges, despite their protection.
Degradation of the Environment: Climate change, pollution, deforestation and other environmental factors threaten national parks.
Overcrowding: Excessive numbers of visitors might cause paths to be overused and disrupt animals. Ecosystems may sustain harm as well.
Wildlife poaching Illegal hunting of animals and animal poaching pose a threat to biodiversity.
Invasive species: non-native plants or animals can cause ecosystem disruptions by outcompeting the native species.
Funding: Many parks suffer from inadequate funding which leads to inadequate staffing, maintenance and conservation efforts.
Best National Parks: How to make them safe
To ensure the safety and preservation national parks, governments, organizations and individuals must work together. Here are some tips to make national parks safer:
Strengthen regulations: Implement strict regulations in order to prevent harmful activities such as illegal logging and poaching.
Promote Sustainable Tourism Encourage eco-friendly behaviors among visitors. It is important to use designated trails, minimize waste and respect wildlife habitats.
Increase funding: Allocate more resources to park management, conservation programs, and infrastructure maintenance. Financial support can be provided by both government and private organizations.
Educate Public: Raising awareness of the importance and need for conservation in national parks through education programs, outreach and community involvement.
Support Monitoring and Research Invest in research to monitor ecosystems and wildlife populations. Data can be used to inform management and conservation practices.
Control Invasive Plants: Implement methods to eliminate invasive plants and native vegetation, and restore habitats and native vegetation.
Strengthen Law Enforcement: Strengthen the law enforcement to combat illegal activity such as poaching, logging and other illegal activities. This could include training park rangers, equipping them with the necessary equipment and working in collaboration with local communities.
Encourage Volunteerism: Encourage volunteers to participate in conservation programs, such as wildlife monitoring and habitat restoration.
Implementing Zoning Use zoning in parks to designate different areas for activities. This will protect sensitive ecosystems from human activities with high impact.
Adaptation to Climate Change Develop and implement strategies for mitigating the impacts of climate change on national parks. This could include habitat restoration and water conservation.
Conclusion
National parks are precious treasures and require careful protection and management. We can preserve these natural and cultural treasures for future generations by taking proactive measures to overcome the challenges that they face. Together, governments, organizations, and individuals can work to ensure the safe and sustainable management and maintenance of national parks around the world.
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