Top 10 National Parks

There could be no better place than a National Park for enjoyment, education, and inspiration for today’s generation as well as for many to come. National Parks in The United States have been covering millions of acres of land, which has been well managed by the National Park Service for almost a century and will continue to perform in the same excellent manner for the years to come. Every year more than 300 million people visit these unique natural wonders and unforgettable terrains.

No matter if you are a city-dweller, nature lover, or adventurer, National parks give you a great opportunity to fulfill your dream of seeing a bit of green. Some of the other reasons to visit National parks are as follows:

• •       Vacation at a National Park is very affordable and budget-friendly. You can visit the most iconic destinations with a minimal entrance fee. Also, they offer free entrance days periodically.
  •       You will find a National park within your vicinity very easily. So you will not have to travel far.
  •       Besides a few bushes and trees, you will get to see America’s greatest natural treasures, like impossibly gargantuan volcanoes, vast inexorable glaciers, mysterious caves, snow-capped mountains, fossilized trees, as well as ancient cliff dwellings.
  •       National Parks promote learning in a fun way. You and your child will learn a lot about nature, science, conservation, and history through your visits here with a guide.
  •       Adventure lovers will find plenty of adrenaline-pumping activities like rock climbing, underwater diving adventures, climbing craggy heights, and zipping down on sandboards and sleds. Moreover, there are also paved roads and dirt paths in store for bicyclists.
  •       National parks invite you with a promise that after your visit, you will leave much happier and healthier, along with a boosted immune system as well as enhanced creativity.
  •       Go tech-free and spend time with family and friends without any interruptions from the buzzing of your smartphones.

Best National Parks in The United States

After taking into consideration the opinions of travel experts as well as some of the people who recently visited national parks, here is a list of the top 10 National Parks.

1. Yosemite

Wonders of Mother Nature reveal themselves in a very miraculous and serene way over here as it is ranked #1 in Best U.S. National Parks. Months of May and September are the best times to visit. You will not find the place crowded. It is simply 1200 square miles of sheer awe. The best things to do here at this park include Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View Outlook, and Glacier point.

2. Yellowstone

It is no less than an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, full of dramatic peaks, pristine lakes, multicolored pools, streams of steaming water, and many unspoiled natural beauties. If you come here in April, May, September, and October, don’t miss the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Old Faithful, and Yellowstone lake.

3. Glacier National Park

The park is situated at the border of Canada and the United States and bags the title of ‘Crown of the Continent’ due to the presence of 700 lakes, numerous waterfalls, and two mountain ranges. The must-visit places of the park during July and August are Apgar Nature Centre, Lake McDonald, and Trail of the Cedars. If you are tight on budget, it would be better if you visit there in the winter. Entrance fees and lodging prices are at a peak during summer.

4. Grand Canyon

The place is truly a natural wonder of northern Arizona. The park is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 6 million awestruck visitors every year. If you wish to escape from the crowds, head to the North Rim. The hotel rooms here are very pricey. It would be better if you brought your own bed and reserved a place for camping for a fraction of the cost.

5. Zion National Park

The best things to do in Zion National Park include The Narrows, Zion Canyon Visitor Center, and Zion Canyon scenic drive. You can save a few bucks by reserving a spot at the campgrounds well in advance. If you do not wish to face floods and slippery, dangerous hiking trails, only visit on a day with a clear forecast. The temperatures fluctuate and are chilly even during the summer months. The best time to visit the place is starting from May to the end of November.

6. Grand Teton National Park

The park is best for all mountaineers, photographers, hikers, kayakers, and rafters. The wildlife includes black bears, grizzlies, moose, antelope, bison, and golden aspens. It is one of the best places to hike in North America. All the trails and other activities are completely open and within budget from mid of May to late September.

7. Bryce Canyon National Park

The park proudly boasts the maximum number of hoodies around the Globe. The main attractions of the place are Inspiration points, Bryce Point, and Sunrise Point. The period from May to September yields a number of ranger activities in the park. You can save your money on visiting the park during free entrance days like April 21, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, National Public Lands Day on September 22, and also on Veterans day.

8. Arches National Park

Arches National Park is just another planet, intriguing, especially for photography enthusiasts who dream of capturing sandstone arches, red rocks, the light that changes every moment, as well as enchanting vistas. If you visit this park, do enjoy the Landscape Arch, Balanced Rock, and Windows Section. The best months to plan your visit are April, May, September, and October. The park incorporates miles of scenic roads and hiking trails for every level of fitness. The park also allows free- entrance on some specific days as well. The entrance can be quite crowded, so in order to avoid it, you better reach the place between 7:00 and 8:00 am or between 3:00 and 5:00 pm.

9. Rocky Mountain National Park

The main attraction of this national park is its 350 miles of hiking trails that wind through forests of pine and spruce, glittering alpine lakes, and wildflowers. If you are lucky enough, you may see an elk or a bighorn sheep along your way. The locals offer the visitors the most delicious homemade ice creams anyone could have ever made. The Trail Ridge Road, Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, and Downtown Estes Park will definitely grab your attention, leaving you awestruck. The hiking trails are accessible only when the snow has completely melted, mainly from June to September. The only point of worry is that the temperatures fall drastically during the summer months due to the high elevation. Therefore, visitors are recommended to wear a layer of water-wicking apparel.

10. Haleakala National Park

The Haleakala National Park serves its visitors with the best-ever sunrises in the world. The name Haleakala itself means “house of the sun”. The place will give you an incredible opportunity to renew your spirits among stark volcanic landscapes and tropical rainforests. You will also enjoy an unforgettable hiking experience through the backcountry. The famous writer Mark Twain once described the place as ‘the most sublime spectacle I have ever witnessed’. You will find Mars-like Red deserts, rock gardens, lush waterfalls, and streams all over the place.

Conclusion

National Parks are very rightly known as America’s backyard. They have something in store for everyone visiting there. Children can get their first and best-ever exposure to the outdoors, whereas, on the other hand, adults get an opportunity to reconnect with nature and get that much-needed escape from those daily grinds. Moreover, they also teach their visitors valuable lessons in history and conservation. National Parks are like heritage. 

Therefore, they should be taken care of and given the respect and dignity they deserve. While your visit, makes sure that you don’t harm the plants and animals and don’t disturb the natural ecosystem of the place. Leave them clean and tidy.

Things may become quite difficult with so many National Parks and very little time. Therefore, we decided to make up a list of the top 10 National Parks in The United States Of America for you to visit with your family and friends during these vacations. The above-mentioned parks are those which every kid must see before they grow up.