With so many national parks located in the USA, which ones do you choose to visit first? Well, that’s a personal choice. Do you prefer mountain vistas, ocean views, valley floors, woodlands, desert landscapes, or something else? There are 63 national parks that await your visit. Until your next vacation, sit back, relax, and enjoy this slideshow of 8 special national parks.
Zion National Park
Located in southwest Utah, the park is home to the popular Zion Canyon. The Canyon, which is 15 miles long, has walls which are comprised of colorful red and tan colored Navajo Sandstone. The Park also features peaks up to 8,726 ft, rivers, arches, a rich variety of plants and animals, and lots more!
Photo: Caleb Nelson, lebinreallife.com
Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is a fascinating place. The Park’s sedimentary rocks hide fossils of mammals and vegetation that lived up to 230 million years ago! Visit this gem in northeastern Arizona and enjoy backcountry hikes, or short hikes to ancient villages, petrified giant logs, or the Painted Badlands. For those looking for less adventure, stay in your car and stop at a few overlooks for great views.
Photo: Tina A., @tinas_little_life on Instagram
Grand Canyon National Park
Who doesn’t have this popular national park on their bucket list? When planing your trip to Arizona, choose between the Park’s four Rims. Most travelers opt for the popular Southern Rim or the West Rim. The Southern Rim offers spectacular views that you have probably seen via images. The West Rim features a glass floor of a Skywalk that looks down into the canyon below.
Photo: Tina A, @tinas_little_life on Instagram
Saguaro National Park
You’ll find the nation’s largest cacti, in this national park near Tucson, Arizona. Take one of the park’s two scenic drives or hike one if its many trails. On your hike, you may pass an abandoned mine, cactus forest, mountain ridges, bluffs, mesquite trees, old homesteads, panamoric views, and more.
Photo: Tina A., @tinas_little_life on Instagram
North Cascades National Park
Located in the state of Washington, this lovely park sits within the 500,000-acre area. Visiting parts of the park in winter is not recommended, but visitors will be wowed by the variety of landscape during most seasons. The Park features the rugged peaks of the North Cascades Range, an expansive glacial system, the headwaters of several waterways, and large forests. Almost the entire park is protected as wilderness.
Photo: Daniel Awde, Frontrowgear.com
Arches National Park
Did you know that over 2,000 natural sandstone arches are located in this park in eastern Utah? In fact, the park contains the “highest density” of natural arches on earth. Be sure to visit Double Arch, Delicate Arch, Sand Dunes Arch, and Landscape Arch.
Photo: Rebecca, @familyonthetrails on Instagram
Joshua Tree National Park
Named for Joshua trees that are native to the Mojave Desert, the National Park houses a large variety of plants and animals. In fact, two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in the park. It’s truly a desert wilderness located in California and just a few hours from several major cities
Photo: Steve Hynes, outoftheoffice4good.com
Rocky Mountain National Park
You’ll really feel like you are on top of the world when you visit this National Park in the southern Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado. Enjoy views of spectacular mountains, alpine lakes, and a wide variety of wildlife and terrain. The Continental Divide runs through the center of the park. The headwaters of the Colorado River are located in the park’s northwestern region.
Photo: Steve Hynes, outoftheoffice4good.com
Photo Credits
Cover Photo: Zion National Park, Caleb Nelson, lebinreallife.com
Daniel Awde, Frontrowgear.com
Caleb Nelson, lebinreallife.com
Rebecca, @familyonthetrails
Steve Hynes, outoftheoffice4good.com
Tina A., @tinas_little_life
References
National Park Service: Find a Park
Resources