12 of the Most Stunning National Parks in the United States
America’s national parks are as diverse in
their geographies, their ecosystems and their climates as America itself. All of
them, however, are breathtaking in their own unique ways. If you’re feeling
like an adventure, here are 12 parks that should make your list of places to
go:
Arches National Park
Location: Utah
Best Time to Go:
April to May; September to October
With over 2000 arches and countless
other sandstone formations, Arches National Park is an astonishing destination
to visit. You can hike, bike, ride or drive through a landscape of towering
stone, wide-open vistas and endless skies. Be sure to visit Balanced Rock and
Delicate Arch – two of the Park’s most iconic natural structures.
Denali National Park and Preserve
Location: Alaska
Best Time to Go:
Mid-June to August
Come see the highest mountain in
North America, Mt. Denali, and experience the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness.
The park stretches over 6 million acres and there’s only one road through it,
so if it’s rugged isolation you’re after, this will be the right place to find
it. From a wildlife watching day tour to a mountaineering expedition, this is
the trip of a lifetime.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Location: Utah
Best Time to Go: May
to September
The unique, multi-coloured geography
of Bryce Canyon National Park makes it a visitor favourite. The park is
comprised of a series of enormous natural amphitheatres and features the
world’s largest collection of hoodoos. Although there’s lots to do, the
highlight here really is the viewpoints, from which you can admire the epic,
sweeping landscape.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Location: Florida
Best Time to Go: April
to June
Despite its name, most of this
fascinating national park is comprised of water. The dry portion of the park
does feature a 19th century fort, Fort Jefferson, but visitors
mainly come for more aquatic adventures. The seas are crystal clear and
visitors can snorkel or dive down to explore the coral reefs or catch a glimpse
of the abundant marine life.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Location: Alaska
Best Time to Go:
June to September
A UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Glacier Bay is a dynamic mosaic of tidewater glaciers, snow-capped mountains
and temperate rain forest. The biggest draws are the dramatic glaciers, which
visitors typically experience from aboard a cruise ship, but hiking, wildlife
watching, sea kayaking and small catamaran tours give a more intimate
experience of the park.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Location: Big
Island, Hawai’i
Best Time to Go:
March to May; September to November
At Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park,
visitors can experience the incredible power of volcanic activity up close. The
biggest volcano in the world, Mauna Loa, as well as Kilauea, one of the world’s
most active volcanoes, can be found within the borders of this unforgettable
park. Visitors can hike along or across craters, witness flowing lava and take
a scenic drive past a range of volcanic features.
Joshua Tree National Park
Location: California
Best Time to Go:
March to May; October to November
Where the Mojave and the Colorado
deserts meet, the land becomes varied, with desert plains, steep canyons and stark
rock formations. Joshua Tree National Park is likewise varied, drawing
sightseers, hikers, naturalists and rock climbers with its intense beauty and
resilient animal and plant life. The park also encompasses historic mines,
ranches and even a “town” used in old Hollywood westerns.
Kenai Fjords National Park
Location: Alaska
Best Time to Go:
June to September
Kenai Fjords National Park is a breathtaking
place where visitors can encounter vast glaciers shrinking rapidly from climate
change and witness the new ecosystems springing up in the wake of their retreat.
Visitors can traverse the Harding Icefield, tour magnificent fjords by boat or
kayak and hike to pristine viewpoints where you can get a glimpse of what the
last ice age would have looked like.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Location: Colorado
Best Time to Go:
June to September
Experience the mountains up close at
Rocky Mountain National Park. The park comprises more than 400 square miles of
alpine meadows, subalpine forest, scenic lakes and fast-flowing rivers. Enjoy wildlife
watching, hiking and other outdoor pursuits in a stunning landscape where the view
around every new turn is unforgettable.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
Location: California
Best Time to Go:
June to August
A visit to these two adjacent parks
is a walk back in time to a world of giant forests and pristine wilderness. The
star attractions of this park, of course, are the giant sequoias, including the
world’s largest living tree. The parks are incredibly geographically diverse,
however, owing to a big range of elevation and they encompass enough mountains,
caverns and canyons to keep any explorer well-occupied.
Yellowstone National Park
Location: Wyoming
Best Time to Go:
April to May; September to October
Most famous for the geyser Old Faithful
and other hydrothermal wonders, Yellowstone is an enormous and geographically
diverse area that has the distinction of being America’s first national park. Hiking,
biking, riding and driving are all popular ways to see Yellowstone. From dramatic
waterfalls to herds of bison to stunning mountain passes, there’s something
incredible around every corner.
Zion National Park
Location: Utah
Best Time to Go:
April to May; September to October
Enter a world of mesas, sweeping
deserts and dramatic canyons in Zion National Park. Its sandstone formations, challenging
trails and epic scenery make this park one of America’s favourites. Even a
drive through Zion reveals the park’s astonishing colours and beauty. The park offers a
range of outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, canyoneering, horseback
riding and whitewater river trips.
feature image: Ian D. Keating; image 1: Giuseppe Milo; image 2: Güldem Üstün; image 3: Giuseppe Milo; image 4: Thomas Elliott; image 5: Maureen
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