When talking about national parks, it won’t be wrong to say that the United States is packed with them. Though most people think that the country has 63 of these parks, the actual figure is much higher. The reason for this misconception is that only 63 out of the 423 have the term ‘National Park’ in their name.
Since it is almost impossible for a person to visit all of them, we have shortlisted 5 of the best national parks in the USA that must be added to your list.
1Yellowstone National Park
Stretching over 2.2 million acres, the Yellowstone National Park includes waterfalls, geysers, mountains, and canyons. It is home to 60% of the world’s geysers. When visiting this park, one must have a look at the Old Faithful; a geyser that since the year 2000 has been erupting between every 44 – 120 minutes.
Yellowstone is not only a paradise for nature enthusiasts but also has a lot of historical significance. Having been established in 1872, it is the oldest national park in the entire world. It has also been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.
Due to mild weather and limited crowd, the ideal time to visit this park is either between April and May or during September and October.
2Glacier National Park
Also known as “Crown of the Continent”, the Glacier National Park is located on the USA – Canada border. Spreading over 1 million acres in the land, it includes parts of 2 mountain ranges, an excess of lakes (700 to be exact), and numerous species of plants and animals.
Despite the park being open throughout the year, the best time to visit it is during summers; particularly the months of July and August. Even during these months, it is possible to find snow in elevated areas of this park.
When at the Glacier National Park, it is a must to complete at least one of the many hiking trails it offers. Luckily, along with having difficult trails such as the Grinnell Glacier, the national park also has easier options like the Trail of the Cedars. This allows visitors to choose a trail depending on their skillset.
3Rocky Mountain National Park
Even though this 265,000-acre park is not amongst the largest or most visited ones in the United States, there is something unique about it. Being located at a height of 7,860 – 14,259 feet, the Rocky Mountain National Park rises in the Colorado Sky.
It offers amazing hiking opportunities with 350 plus miles of trails. On the lower elevation of the park, visitors can also find the Stanley Hotel which is famous because of its haunted reputation. This hotel has also been a shooting location for many famous movies like the 1994 classic; Dumb and Dumber.
4Arches National Park
Arches National Park is going to be a favorite amongst those who are fond of photography. The park consists of countless arches made of sandstone, stunning landforms, and red-colored rocks.
The way sunlight falls on the arches in this park results in the creation of unique but amazing shadows that are quite a sight to watch.
Besides photographers, the Arches National Park is also a great place for those who enjoy captivating landscapes. The park offers many hiking opportunities and guided tours as well.
5Zion National Park
Though Zion National Park was established in 1919, it has become extremely popular in recent times. In 2015, the park saw a record-breaking number of visitors which increased by another 17% in 2016. The park offers breathtaking views and is a popular location for sports like canyoneering and mountain biking. Though the Zion national park is open 24 hours and 365 days, the ideal time to visit it is between May and November. During these months the park offers a free shuttle service and the weather is also perfect.
