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10 BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN UNITED STATES

The US National Park Service manages millions of acres for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. There are a total of 63 national parks that are visited by millions of people every year.

The USA is a vast place with every climate and ecosystem imaginable.

The parks bring nature and people together to discover the towering peaks, wild coasts, lush forests and desolate deserts with their inhabitants.

Here is the list of the top 10 national parks in the US.

1.      Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon By Dietmar Rabich-

The Grand Canyon national park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A natural wonder in the making for the last 6 million years and continues to be shaped today by the might Colorado River.

The orange hue attracts visitors from all corners of the world. The park hosts different environments from riparian zones, forests of fir and hot desert in over 1 million acres.

Areas mostly visited as the southern and northern rim and the valley itself. Though, the canyon need more discovery along the river’s edge are reeds and grasses that provide food for deer and elk.

Moving away from the rims the park is wilderness with a deafening silence. Explore the evidence of early human settlement.

The scenery is majestic and found in many a postcard. 

2. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Waterfall by Mark Ordonez-

 A wildly popular park located in Tennessee and North Carolina. the Appalachian mountains are protected by this park.

Mature forests are fed by numerous rivers. Wildlife to be encountered includes elk, otters, deer, foxes and industrious woodpeckers.

It is the only national park that does not charge an entrance fee. The park is loved by outdoor enthusiasts who explore the wooded trails, marvel at the waterfall or opt to go for a scenic drive. 

The wildflower blooms are a sight for sore eyes.

Observe black bears, camp and take advantage of the 11-mile loop to bike or walk in ancient nature.

3. Yellowstone National Park.

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The first national park in the US is a stunningly beautiful 2.2 million acre park.

The park’s attraction is its unique geography and hosts over 4 million adventurers every year.

With the abundant wildlife, spectacular mountain ranges and endless meadows, Yellowstone is the definition of wilderness.

The park sits on top of a supervolcano that is said to have last erupted 60,000 years ago fuelling the geothermal curiosities.

Admire the vivid pools of boiling water and witness the most famous geyser Old Faithful that spews water and steam high up the air every 60 to 90 minutes.

Not forgetting the mammoth hot spring’s ethereal limestone formations.

For nature lovers, Yellowstone possesses lush forests, rivers and lakes.

The park is a refuge for America’s native animals, it is the abode of the largest wild herd of bison, bears and deer.

To enjoy Yellowstone, take a hike, picnic, make camp or drive through. Every step taken in Yellowstone is guaranteed adventure.

4.      Yosemite National Park.

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Just 167 miles from San Francisco is Yosemite National Park. The Yosemite valley though small packs a heartwarming dose of amazing scenery and is open all year round.

The panoramic view is next to none under the ever-watchful gaze of El Capitan’s granite rock-face (rock climbers dream). 

The landscape is also papered with rivers and pine forests.

Get on the trails and walk to elevated vantage points to have a bird’s eye view of the valley below and surrounding peaks.

The trails are a gateway to fascinating vistas that will keep you going as yearn for more.

For those who are not able to walk around, there are routes provided for cars and tour busses.

Another highlight is the Yosemite village which houses a museum with artefacts of the first nations people who used to live in the valleys.

There are also 12 miles of bike paths taking you through all of the park’s habitats. Enjoy the alpine air, meadows, woods, lakes. Waterfalls and rivers.

5.      Sequoia National Park.

Giant Sequoias in Sequoia National Park by    Tuxyso –

The park is named after one of the largest tree species on earth and is home to one of the USA’s highest peaks.

Some of the sequoia trees are estimated be to 3,000 years old, true elders of our planet and serve as living timelines.

Touch ancient rocks and discover crystal caves; magnificent natural carvings of marble by snowmelt.

Trek through the trails and gaze heavenward to catch a glimpse of the canopy. In addition, there is the Giant Forest Museum to learn how you can contribute to saving the giant trees

The giant trees will stretch your imaginations, sequoia named General Sherman shoot up 16 storeys into the sky and if felled for lumber, it contains as much wood as 20 acres of pine forest.

The park offers more; wildflowers, rivers, misty waterfalls and plains of grassland are yours to enjoy.

Drive or walk with giants, let nature humble you.

6. Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Rockies in the morning By Sergey P-Wikimedia

Just 70 miles from Denver in the thriving forests of fir, spruce and aspen and abundant grassland animals roam free. 

The imposing presence of 60 alpine granite peaks makes the mountain range akin to a cathedral only that it is built by nature.

Landscape features forests, lakes, mountains peaks, cliffs, rivers and falls.

This park is hiking must, with 350 miles of walking trails you will be transported from the wooded valley floors up to the glass lake a wonder to see for yourself.

The horseshoe wetlands is a grassland colonized by herbivores.

The rivers fed by snowmelt will soothe your soul as they gently rage past you.

The road network is great allowing movement from the low areas to high areas and access to viewpoints.

7.      Grand Teton National Park.

It is made up of 310 thousand acres of Wyoming wilderness rising to snow-capped peaks. Its mirror lakes, winding rivers, waterfalls, flat lush valley floor and rugged peaks.

It is on many an artist’s wish list.

The best way to take in is to drive through the 42-mile scenic route.

Visit the abandoned rustic Mormon village built in the 1800s some parts host beaver ponds if you decide to hike.

For more relaxation cruise on Lake Jackson the highest lake by elevation in America, then fish for trout from the shores.

Hike, bike or drive the vistas will never leave you.

8. Acadia  National Park.

Beaver swimming in Acadia –

This park is a living masterpiece located in Maine. The landscape is so picture perfect.

  It is an isolated paradise protecting a forest with an amazing foliage colour.

Walk under the spruce and pine trees at and boulder beach view nature sculptured stones.

It is the most pet-friendly park in America with 57 miles of paved paths exclusively for cyclists, carriage and walkers only.

The stillness of the lakes is ideal for self-reflection. Enjoy the singing of resident birds like the goldfinch.

Cadillac Mountain is the highest peak at the park allowing for an aerial view of most of the park but also well suited for sunrise viewing and photography.

Go boating and fish in tranquillity. The Acadia national park is rugged and delicate. It is all beautiful.

9. Arches National Park.

Double Arch By Luca Galuzzi–

Situated in Utah canyonlands it is only a 4 hour’s drive from Salt Lake City.

Rugged canyons and craggy rocks dot the landscape. It contains the largest concentration of sandstone arches in the world, over 2000 of them. 

An ancient sea bed forged by wind and ice then baked by the sun makes the park.

Furthermore, learn how the first peoples of the Americas worshipped and forged a kinship with the landforms.

For the best experience walk through the easy trails. Marvel at the towering canyon walls, balanced rock and peek through windows created by the arches.

There is a paved road for those who would like to breeze through the scenic park.

Discover nature’s master architecture at Arches.

10. Glacier National Park.

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The capital of water and mountains is a befitting definition of Glacier National Park.

It is one of the best for outdoor adventures with over 700 miles of hiking trails, pristine glacier lakes, wildflower and cedar forests.

The grassy mountain slopes are home to mountain goats and big horned sheep.

Also found in the park are enchanting waterfalls such as Victoria and St. Mary falls. In the isolated wild terrain bears roam freely.

The park is a haven for amateur and professional hiking, paddling in the lake, photographing the panoramic landscape and relaxing in the rush of rivers and cooling in the mist of waterfalls.

America’s 10 best national parks are places of delicate and rugged beauty with abundant wildlife and plants. The national parks are open to everyone to explore and learn.

Remember to follow official instructions in order to safely enjoy the gifts of nature.