You have not had adventure if you have not been to these 5 Best National Parks in the United States. While the country boasts 63 national parks spread across 30 states and covering millions of acres through icy mountains, desert areas, and thick forests, we have narrowed down the list to the best 5 you can prioritize as you plan to visit the rest.
A granite rock in one of the best national parks in the United States
People from around the world frequent the National Parks in the US but are faced with deciding the appropriate destinations. We endeavor to solve this quagmire and give you a breakdown of the 5 most amazing destinations that you can visit and enjoy the adventure.
The 5 Best National Parks in the United States
We have selected the best from the rest based on facts and experience. These 5 best National parks are packed with activities that will activate all the adrenaline in your body. There is also something for the non-adrenaline junkies since you will enjoy beautiful views, glorious sunsets, and a gentle breeze while freezing the moments for the gram and keepsake.
The following are the best national parks in the United States and why they qualify for the list
#1. Best National Park: Yosemite
Yosemite National Park, or Yosemite as it is commonly known, is a majestic landmass that has rightfully earned the first position among the 5 Best national parks in the United States. Yosemite is an all-season park with special historical memories besides its awe-inspiring waterfalls. There is so much to do here, whether you are a first-timer or a serial visitor.
Once you set foot in Mariposa County, home to Yosemite, you are welcome by the distant sights of granite icons such as the Half Dome and the similar El Capitan. Look out for the sunset to witness the glow it creates on the granite rocks.
Join the thousands of hikers and backpackers who frequent Yosemite throughout the year and enjoy the statuesque trails. There’s a whole bunch of places to visit and camp while enjoying the new company of hikers from around the globe.
The activities that await you as you plan to visit Yosemite include:
- Hiking
- Camping
- Backpacking
- Guided tours
The best way to experience Yosemite is by hiking. If you plan to try winter camping and hiking, you should consider this national treasure. 95% of the national park is an arid desert that offers the best experiences in all the seasons.
While touring Yosemite, here are the places that you must visit:
Yosemite Valley
This is the best climbing site with the most developed hiking and camping infrastructure. The trails can be tough during winter because of the heavy snow downpour.
Mariposa grove of Giant sequoias
The towering trees will make you feel invisible. Make a point of going further up the trail to the telescope tree, where you can go inside a sequoia.
Half dome
The half dome is a major granite rock formation that will invite you for a hike. It is gorgeous from a distance and even more resplendent from the top. The best hiking experience is on the cable route. You will get enervated, but the views are worth the strain.
Tioga Pass
Tioga pass is a beautiful trail that you can drive through to enjoy a picnic at any of the many picnic sites. The drive can be scary but also adventurous, owing to the sharp bends and steep scents descents. Observe speed limits and look out for warning signs. This route remains closed during winter.
El Capitan
If you are a rock climber, the El Capitan will call you by name. Shuttle services are available up to the El Capitan Meadow, from where you cross a wooden bridge to the base. You can catch a glimpse of several climbers at different altitudes.
#2. Best National Park: Yellow stone
Colored patterns created by thermophiles at the Yellowstone national park hot springs
Christened the world’s first national park and one of the most splendid national parks in the US, Yellowstone offers exclusive geological and hydrothermal features. The park covers an area of 2.2 million acres and hosts a prodigious ecosystem. It is the habitat for diverse wildlife and many of the world’s geysers.
You will meet the grand yellow stone river as it meanders through the national park. You will also get the chance to watch a herd of Bison as they graze. The National Parks authority managed to save these phenomenal animals from extinction. They have exceptional survival skills in winter and are considered the least troublesome animals until you suddenly find them in the middle of the road at night. They can get aggressive when provoked.
Yellowstone national park goes down in history as the only ecosystem that has supported the existence of Bison since prehistoric times. You will find the largest herds, which have the freedom to rove all around the park.
Yellowstone national park has an activity for everyone, ranging from seasoned hikers to less active tourists looking forward to enjoying some sunset views. Each season of the year hosts diverse activities, some of which include:
- Winter Camping
- Skiing
- Guided tours on a snow coach
- Viewing the hot springs and geysers
- Hiking on the trails
- Watching wildlife
- Biking in the park
- Horse riding
- Picnicking
- Fishing and boating
- Swimming
The activities are endless, and each offers limitless fun.
The natural features that will astonish you during your visit to Yellowstone national park include the following:
Hydrothermal Features
Geysers at Yellowstone national park in the United States
Yellowstone national park is home to the most bizarre hydrothermal features, which also make home to microorganisms known as thermophiles which appear as colored mats. The hydrothermal features that you will find in Yellowstone include:
- Travertine Terraces
- Mudpots
- Hotsprings
- Fumaroles
- Geysers
Glacial Features
From the hot waters and steam of the hydrothermal features, we move to the extreme cold of the glacial features found in the high-altitude areas. The glaciers come around intermittently, but their effects remain for the longest time in the form of glacial lakes, glacial ponds, chiseled mountain peaks, arched hillsides, and polished mountain faces.
Wildlife
Besides the Bison we have already mentioned, Yellowstone national park contains more iconic animals, including birds, diverse fish species, and the highest number of mammal species in the United States.
As you tour the park, you will encounter animals such as elks, mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. You would also be lucky to spot predators such as gray wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, wolverines, red foxes, coyotes, Canadian lynxes, and mountain lions.
#3. Best National Park: Glacier National Park
A beautiful view of glaciers and a glacial lake in the national park
Located in Montana, the Glacier National Park showcases striking features of alpine meadows, breathtaking lakes, melting glaciers, and carved valleys. To experience the best adventures and sceneries, pack your bags and make your way to Glacier National Park.
Hikers enjoy indigenous trails that have existed for ages and lead to ancient forests. There are activities here all year round, the most common being hiking and backpacking. Mountain hikers consider Glacier National Park their paradise since it offers the right elevations.
Besides mountain climbing, campers also get their fair share of enjoyment when they set up their camps next to the wild rivers which originate from the thawing glaciers.
As one of the best national parks in the United States, Glacier Park hosts diverse activities besides camping and hiking, which include:
- Mountain bike riding
- Nature walk
- Skiing in winter
- Animal watching
- Bird watching
- Snowshoeing
The natural features that you will come across in this fascinating national park are in one way or another related to glacial activities, and they include:
Glacier-banded mountains
These mountains form a magnificent view, visible from a distance. The glaciers are melting away, creating a primary cause of alarm for the future of the ecosystem in the park. Frequent wildfires and heat waves are the culprits for the receding glaciers.
Lakes and ponds
You will come across hundreds of lakes and ponds in Glacier national park characterized by crystal clear waters. These lakes are a result of glacial action many years back. The clear waters are not necessarily drinkable, but you can take a dip when the temperatures are favorable.
Wetlands, Marshes, and Swamps
The wetlands occupy a small section of the Glacier National Park but provide a home to diverse flora and fauna. There are more than forty rare plant species, the endangered bog lemming, and several amphibian species. Wild animals stay around wetlands because the ecosystem favors their existence.
#4. Best National Park: Grand Canyon National Park
Hikers enjoying a moment at the base of the Grand Canyon
You have not experienced adventure if you have not been to the Grand Canyon National Park. The amazing Grand Canyon resulted from massive soil erosion that has never been experienced anywhere else in the world. Visitors from all over the world stream here, mostly in summer and spring, to enjoy the views.
The national park does not stretch over the entire Grand Canyon but covers a great expanse.
You have two options as you plan to visit this amazing national park. The first option, which is quite boring, involves driving or taking a bus to the viewing points and standing there with thousands of other viewers looking at the landscape.
The second option is to pack up your backpack hiking. This option is fun packed, and you will get the chance to interact with the incredible features such as the hidden cave of the Domes, the changing terrain, the glorious Colorado River, and the winding trails.
The Grand Canyon is divided into two sections accessible by the masses. The South Rim is the busiest section since it has several viewpoints where you can stop over and take in the beautiful views of the landscape. The other section, which is The North Rim, is less crowded because it is hard to access while using a vehicle.
Hikers get the privilege to enjoy both sections since they easily move from the South Rim to the North Rim via the Kaibab Trails, covering a total distance of 21 miles.
#5 Best National Park: Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky mountain national park in the United States
Last but not least on the 5 Best National Parks in the United States is Rocky Mountain National Park, which is packed with a breathtaking range of mountain environments. This park receives many visitors annually who enjoy the views of the perfect mountain peaks, winding trails, and sparkly lakes.
The grandiose park is located between Grand Lake and Estes Park. It is a favorite location for hikers, mountain and rock climbers, tourists, wildlife watchers, and photographers who flock all year round.
The features that you should look forward to on your visit to the Rocky mountain national park include:
The Mountains
The Rocky Mountains National Park is named so owing to the more than 100 majestic mountain peaks. The highest peak, Longs Peak, stands at 14,259 feet, while the rest rise beyond 11,000 feet. These mountain ranges provide visitors with a beautiful view and toughening terrain for hikers.
These Rocky Mountains are significant because the snow melts into the Pacific Ocean on the West and the Atlantic on the East.
You can tour the park on a horse ride, hiking, or by car using the trail ridge road. We guarantee infinite fun and adventure, irrespective of what brings you here.
Wildlife
A moose grazing at the Rocky mountains national park, one of the best national parks in the United States
There is no chance that you will hike through the rocky mountain national park and not spot wildlife. You will come across herds of animals enjoying their natural habitat.
Rocky mountain national park is home to thousands of elks, bighorn sheep, moose, and mule deer. If your main interest is wild animals, we advise you to head to the park at sunrise. You can also catch a few species during the day at the shores of the lakes when they show up to drink water.
Hiking Trails
Rocky mountain national park is the ideal hiking place, with a wide range of trails to choose from that vary in steepness. There is a trail for everyone, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned hiker.
The easiest and most popular trail is the Bear Lake trail which stretches for 6 miles, and the moderate 4-mile Lake Haiyaha trail, which also receives a fair share of hikers. The most difficult trail preserved for seasoned hikers is the Ouzel Falls trail which stretches to a distance of 5.4 miles with about 1000 feet of elevation.
Conclusion
Our goal is to provide you with information that will help you enjoy outdoor adventures, and we hope we have lived up to our promise in this guide. Most of these locations support day visits, but you can still camp for greater adventure.
These 5 best National Parks in the United States are places you should enjoy visiting. Choose an activity that you are comfortable with at first, then move on to more challenging ones.
Engage with us in the comment section, and let us know your thoughts about these destinations.
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