America is rightly famous for its beloved National Parks system protecting the country’s most precious natural landscapes and wilderness. With 63 national parks spread across 27 states, how do you decide which ones to visit? I’m sharing my picks for the top 8 must-see national parks that should be on every traveler’s list when exploring the U.S.A.
First up is Yellowstone National Park, the country's first national park, for a front row seat to Old Faithful's predictable geyser eruptions along with epic wildlife watching opportunities to spot herds of bison, elk and even grizzlies if you’re lucky.
Escape the desert heat by descending a mile underground into fantastical caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Guided tours reveal an alien world of intricate limestone rock formations while bat flights at dusk create unforgettable summer magic.
The crown jewel of the Rockies, Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park awaits outdoor adventurers with alpine lakes, thundering waterfalls and soaring mountain peaks begging to be conquered by determined hikers and climbers.
For a convenient nature escape from the bustling Big Apple, the rugged beauty of New York's Adirondack Park offers backcountry camping, leaf peeping drives up Whiteface Mountain and relaxing days paddling crystal lakes.
Head South to marvel at the intricate domes, towers, waterfalls and tunnels stretching over 400 miles inside Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park, where cave tours reveal millions of years of ongoing subterranean sculpting.
Explore Utah's crown jewel national park, Zion, characterized by monumental brightly colored sandstone cliffs and narrow slot canyons best navigated on foot far from the popular southern entrance.
No trip to the U.S. is complete without witnessing the sheer enormity of the Grand Canyon either from the popular South Rim outlooks or hiking steep trails snaking below the endless layers of rock revealing eons of geological history.
Lastly, for aquatic adventures, Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior protects the least visited national park where wreck diving and rugged moose spotting adventures reward those venturing out to Michigan’s isolated isle.
With endless parks to explore, use this list as your starter guide to experiencing America's mightiest wilderness wonderlands! The U.S. National Parks system makes it easy to experience the full majesty of iconic American landscapes.
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