The United States is home to a range of historic and natural attractions. In all, there are 59 national parks in the country. The National Park Service has the sole responsibility of maintaining all these parks for amusement, knowledge, and motivation of both the present and future generations. Over 300 million visitors have their footfalls on the national parks in the US every year. All these parks are famous for their unparalleled variety of flora and fauna and lush green landscapes. Listed below are the top 10 national parks in the US:
1) Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is the most-toured national park in California. The top tourist draws of this national park are its multitude of magnificent waterfalls like Bridalveil Fall and Vernal Fall. Don’t miss out on the matchless granite rock formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome. The Tunnel View Outlook provides a breathtaking panoramic vista of the Yosemite Valley. If you are staying in LA and got a reason to celebrate then you can book a Fresno party bus to travel to California and enjoy the journey.
2) Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the world. It sprawls over an area of 2.2 million acres. Its assorted natural attractions and topographical features make it one of the top national parks to visit in the US. Travellers visit the park to see its hot springs, unique geysers, mountains, lakes, and buffalo-filled valleys. The ideal time to visit Yellowstone National Park is in April, May, September, or October.
3) Glacier National Park
This picturesque national park forms a part of Montana. It houses over 700 quaint lakes and two mountain ranges. Glacier National Park is a hiker’s favourite with its exquisite range of mountains. Top tourist draws of this national park are the Iceberg Lake, Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Cedars, and Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4) Grand Canyon National Park
Seeing is believing – this is so true for the Grand Canyon National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is characterized by the grandeur and has an area of 18-by-277 miles. The Grand Canyon is a rafter and hiker’s favourite spot for its mountains and the Colorado River. Havasu Falls witnesses flocks of visitors owing to its greenish-blue waters. If you like to avoid the crowd, you can visit the less-travelled North Rim.
5) Zion National Park
Lying in Utah, this national park is an adventure lover’s paradise. Hikers visit the Narrows that is a 10-mile trip via the narrowest part of Zion Canyon. Angel’s Landing, a natural stairway with an altitude of around 1500 feet, is another tourist draw. Rafting upstream over the Virgin River is one of a lifetime experience. If you don’t want to be stressed, you can pick the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, a 57-mile journey covering several well-known landmarks of the park.
Also Read: 10 Top Dark Sky Parks in the United States
6) Grand Teton National Park
One of the best national parks in USA, Grand Teton features 200 miles of treks that will take you through lakes, savannahs, and the scraggy, snow-covered crests of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. It is dubbed as Jackson Hole’s hinterlands. Don’t miss the Cascade Canyon Trail to get a taste of the spectacular topography of this national park.
7) Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park houses the most exclusive variety of hoodoos in the world. Hoodoos are peculiarly-formed columns of stone that are enduring the erosional forces for thousands of years. Lying in southern Utah, the park spreads over an area of almost 35,835 acres. A hiker’s paradise, Bryce Canyon is mostly visited during the summer months. However, the snow-capped countryside during the winters is also a memorable sight for travellers.
8) Arches National Park
Located in the eastern part of Utah, Arches National Park was founded in 1929. It covers an area of around 77,000 acres. Uncommon-shaped sandstone structures are an outstanding attraction for hikers, photography enthusiasts, and mountaineers. The park is home to more than 2000 massive arches. Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and Double Arch are the most-visited ones.
9) Rocky Mountain National Park
Located only 70 miles north of Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park is known for its easy accessibility. It is a day tripper’s paradise and one of the best national park to visit. Nonetheless, you can visit this site for long vacations as well. Hiking the landscape of the Rockies is an unparalleled experience. The picturesque 355-mile trails cover 118 peaks with altitudes of over 10,000 feet and 147 lakes. If you are in a hurry, you can go for the Emerald Lake Trail for magnificent alpine vistas.
10) Haleakala National Park
Lying on Maui, Hawaii, Haleakala National Park will greet you with one of the best daybreaks of the world. Haleakala means “house of the sun” and it is quite appropriate. Once you arrive here, you will find the visitors flocking to see the sunrise at an altitude of over 10,000 feet from the sea surface. You will also enjoy its horde of awe-inspiring waterfalls. Hiking within the crater to appreciate the animated landscape is a never-before experience. These reasons make Haleakala one of the best national parks in USA.
So, the best national parks in the US are here for your pick. You can choose one for your next dream vacation.
