National parks are a staple in America. They offer so much beauty and diversity. With this list of the best national parks in America, you will see national parks that are arid and hot while others are wet and freezing cold.
Grand Canyon
We’ve all heard of it before, but have we all been able to experience the greatness that the Grand Canyon is? It is regarded as one of the world’s top natural wonders and is one of the most visited parks in America. There’s always something new to learn and to see when visiting the Grand Canyon. It is over 1,000,000 acres in size, and the best time of day to see all the vibrant rustic colors of the canyon is either early morning or late in the afternoon. Bring a water bottle because you want to take a trick around Bright Angel Trail, which leads down to its beautiful river.
Yellowstone Park
This park has one of the largest collections of geysers and thermal features in the world. This national park is truly one of a kind with its vibrantly and uniquely colored waters. Not only will you have views like no other, but you can also experience rodeos and pow wows, horseback riding, and even water rafting. Take some time and look at the wildlife here. It is also the world’s first national park and one of America’s most famous. Yellowstone Park is so large that most of it is situated in Wyoming, but it also takes space in Montana and Idaho.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Experience a land that speaks volumes to you. If you seek adventure, this national park is perfect for you. With a highly unpredictable volcano, you never know what will happen or when. This means that the park may have to take safety precautions at any time. You’ll be able to see the volcano’s pitch-black landscape and steam.
Olympic National Park
This park consists of mountains, century-old forests, and plenty of coastlines—the experience is like visiting a land of plenty of beaches. Take a boat out on the rivers and go fishing or enjoy searching for the biodiversity below. You can also enroll in Ranger lead programs so you won’t get lost, and you’ll learn about the diverse campground of Olympic National Park. This unique and certainly very diverse National Park has many ecosystems, including snowy mountain tops and green forests. It is great for those who enjoy backpacking and hiking, especially throughout the rain forest
Redwood National and State Park
This impressive park contains the world’s tallest trees! The trees stand at more than 300 feet in the long tranquil trails around the coast of the forest. This park does not only consist of these ginormous trees but they also are littered with plenty of unique plants. Take a hike and try to identify the plentiful plants, and maybe even some unique birds!
Gateway Arch National Park
This unique and certainly very diverse National Park may not have many ecosystems like some of the other national parks on this list. Still, it has just as much character. It even has just as much history! It is great for those who enjoy being right on the soil of historical figures. It is located near the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which alone probably makes this national park one of the most historically unique of all on this list. There are ample opportunities to experience all types of outdoor activities at this park.
Death Valley National Park
This park is located below sea level and has record summer heat levels. It is the hottest, lowest and driest national park in America. Does it sound extreme? Yes, but it is a beautiful place to visit. Although it sounds as though it would be pretty lifeless, there is an array of life in this national park. Wherever you find water, such as the beautiful oasis, you’ll find a multitude of biodiversity and wildlife. Hardly ever is there rain, but when this space is graciously watered, it continues to bring more life and wildflowers.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is the complete opposite of Death Valley. It is full of vibrant and lush colors. It spans over a dozen thousand feet above sea level. It even has five major rivers. This beautiful park has plenty of wildlife and diverse ecosystems with trails surrounded by lush grass and flowers of all colors of the wheel. Not only does this park serve a purpose of preservation and beauty, but it also holds a lot of American history. It was created in the late 1800s and was closed in 2006 due to a major rainstorm. However, it is back in service for all to enjoy the beauty that inhabits the land.
Shenandoah National Park
Sunsets, burnt sienna hues, tranquility, and ideal for hikes are just a few words that describe the wonderful national park of Shenandoah. This park has a lodge and plenty of cabins for visitors to experience all that the land has to offer. While this park is great to experience on your own, it is worthwhile considering checking in at the lodge would offer amenities such as horseback riding, dining options, and more
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
This national park is so special that it was declared a national monument in 1925. You can view the glaciers by boat. You can either go on a cruise ship to enjoy the landscape of glacier bay or join a tour boat, which is quite the popular option for tourists. For highly adventurous travelers, you can hike up and climb the mountains.
Each of these national parks has something different to offer than others. Whether you want to be immersed in history or just want to go birdwatching, these national parks offer plenty of options.