The Best National Parks in the US

In this article, we will tell you what the best national parks in the US are worth seeing for anyone traveling in America. High mountains, deep canyons, prairies, and forests—the natural world of the USA is very beautiful. There are few countries on the planet that can boast such natural diversity. Here is a brief overview of the most beautiful parks in the country.

The best national parks in the US

We present the most popular parks for ecotourism and family vacations. Unique natural landscapes are waiting for you.

1. Yellowstone (Montana)

One of the best US national parks is in the northwest of the country, at the junction of the borders of the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The area is 8992 square kilometers. Most of the park is covered with pine forests, the smaller part is steppe. Yellowstone Park is home to more than 60 species of mammals, including wolves, bobcats, and grizzly bears.

It is the world's first national park, opened in 1872. The most stunning attraction is the Yellowstone Caldera, the largest supervolcano on the planet. Underground volcanic processes have caused a large number of active geysers. There are about 3,000 of them here—more than half of the geysers available in the world. The largest geyser, "Old Clerk", erupts about twenty times a day to a height of 42 meters.

The park is suitable for family vacations; children love the natural attractions. There are many picnic areas in the park.

The best time to visit is from June through September.

Hotels: Kelly Inn West Yellowstone, from $100/night; Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch, from $100/night.

2. The Grand Canyon (Arizona)

Among the best national parks to visit in the US is the Grand Canyon, a park in the state of Arizona in the southwestern United States. It is one of the continent's most recognizable landscapes.

It has an area of 4,926 square kilometers. There are many animals in the park, mainly deer, mule deer, coyotes, and bats. There are also many rattlesnakes. The vegetation includes shrubs, cacti, and coniferous trees.

Landscapes with the steep multicolored walls of the canyon impress even experienced tourists. The Colorado River winds far below. The most popular viewing platforms are located at the southern end of the canyon. You should definitely see Havasu Falls, and walk along the "Trail of Angels", take a trip to the local village. The Grand Canyon is popular with lovers of rafting, hiking, and biking.

The most beautiful photos are obtained at dawn or at sunset, when the rays of the sun effectively illuminate the walls of the canyon.

The best time to visit is during the summer months, but many tourists prefer not to come here during the hot season.

Hotels: Maswik Lodge, $115-$250/day; Bright Angel Lodge, $150-$300/day.

3. The Great Smoky Mountains (Tennessee)

The best US national park is in the east of the country, located between the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. Due to the humid climate, fog is not uncommon here, hence the name Great Smoky Mountains.

The area is 2108 square kilometers. The park is located in the mountains, covered with deciduous and spruce-fir forests. The humid climate and fertile soil favor lush vegetation. There are many animals and birds in the forests and fish in the rivers. The symbol of the park is the baribal, or black bear.

The Great Smoky Mountains are a chain of mountain ranges in the Appalachian Mountains. There are many hiking trails here. The most famous are parts of the Appalachian Trail, the longest continuous hiking trail in the world, and the Great Indian War Trail. Along the road through the park, you'll find settler farms, some in excellent condition.

The park is loved by fans of the mountains and an active lifestyle; people come for picnics there very often.

It is better to visit the park in summer. You should be prepared for sudden rain, as the weather is changeable.

Hotels: Gatlinburg Mountain Inn from $50/night; Sleep Inn & Suites from $70/night.

Read also: What to Take with You on a Trip: Check-list of Necessary Things

4. Big Bend (Texas)

The best national parks in the US are hard to imagine without a unique location—Big Bend Park, located in the southwestern United States, on the border with Mexico.

The area of the park is 3,242 square kilometers. Part of the park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert, the second largest in North America and the third largest in the entire Western Hemisphere. The park has forests and is home to many animals. It is ideal for bird watching, as there are a lot of migratory birds. But the biggest draw here are the cacti. Texas ranks No. 1 in the country in terms of cactus species diversity, and the maximum density of these plants is in Big Bend.

The landscapes of Big Bend are very picturesque. There are ridges of hills, plains, and sands. The Rio Grande River carries its waters into the Gulf of Mexico, forming a natural border with Mexico. The steep walls of the Santa Elena Canyon, in some places, rise up to 450 meters above the river level.

The park is popular with outdoor and rafting enthusiasts.

It is best to visit the park in March and April, when the cacti are in bloom, as well as in any other month that is not hot.

Hotels: Big Bend Resort Adventures from $136/night; Chisos Mountain Lodge from $170/night. In remote places like Big Bend, you especially want to stay connected. Install the Yesim mobile app and you'll get high-quality high-speed internet.

5. Yosemite (California)

The best national park to visit in the US is Yosemite, which is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.

The area is 3026 square kilometers. Mixed coniferous forests predominate there. There are many baribal bears, deer, hares, and foxes.

Yosemite Park has all the conditions for tourists: signposts, hiking and biking paths, and equipped resting places. The Huff Dome, a 1450-meter-high granite monolith in the eastern part of the park, is popular. Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America, with a waterfall height of 740 meters. In a grove of sequoias grows the sequoia "Columbia", which is 87 meters high. Here is also located the California Tunnel—the only car tunnel in the world, passing through the trunk of a living tree. The Glacier Point observation deck, at an altitude of 2,200 meters, offers magnificent views of Yosemite Valley.

Among the entertainment options are rock climbing, kayaking, and skiing in winter. The most courageous risk is to walk above the abyss on a sling.

The park is popular with outdoor enthusiasts and photographers.

The best time to visit is from May through October.

Hotels: Lower Cascades Apartments, $380/night; Yosemite View Lodge, $279/night.

6. Acadia (Maine)

A small and only park in New England, on the Atlantic Ocean. The entire East Coast goes here for beautiful photos.

The area is 192 square kilometers. There are many reindeer, moose, beavers, muskrats, baribalds, and foxes in the park. The vegetation is typical for the north—pines, lichens, and mosses.

The park includes most of Mount Desert Island and adjacent small islands. A trail with many viewpoints runs along the perimeter of the island along the shore. There is a 466-meter-high Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the east coast. Romantics love to climb it to be the first in the U.S. to see the sunrise. Other popular attractions include the cliff with the rock hanging in the air and Thunder Cave. Acadia has a sandy beach, but the water does not get warmer than 15–17 degrees even in summer.

The park is popular with Instagram-worthy locations and anyone who isn't afraid of the piercing wind off the Atlantic.

The best time to visit is from June through September.

Hotels: Kimball Terrace Inn, $212/night; Wonder View Inn, $240/night.

To use an eSIM card for the USA, download the app to your smartphone and choose a favorable data plan.

7. Sequoia (California)

If you want to see the best national parks in the US, head to the west of the country, where the closest dense, beautiful Sequoia Forest to Los Angeles is located.

It covers an area of 1,635 square kilometers. The park's wildlife is awe-inspiring to visitors. Giant conifers and sequoias grow here. Animals in the park are so calm that they can approach a car. It's not uncommon for a bridal bear to steal food from an unlocked car. There are many squirrels and chipmunks.

The park is located in the highlands at an altitude of 2000 meters. A popular attraction is the General Sherman sequoia, the largest (by wood volume) tree on Earth. Its height is 83 meters. Equally popular is Tunnel Log, a small automobile tunnel cut right through the middle of a giant sequoia that has fallen onto the road. Be sure to visit Moro Rock, where a wooden staircase leads to the top. The views from the rock are spectacular. You can also practice rock climbing on it.

The park is adored by families with children, nature lovers, and photographers.

The best time to visit is from May through October.

Hotels: La Quinta by Wyndham Visalia/Sequoia Gateway from $175/night; Comfort Inn & Suites Sequoia Kings Canyon, $197/night.

8. Everglades (Florida)

To see one of the best US national parks, travel to the southeast of the country. The Everglades is a one-of-a-kind park in the Everglades.

Its area is 6104 square kilometers. The only park in the United States with a tropical and subtropical climate. Hence the corresponding fauna: manatees, turtles, alligators, and crocodiles. The most common predators are Florida cougars and panthers. The plant world is astonishingly abundant. More than 25 species of orchids can be seen here.

Millions of tourists travel to the Everglades to see wild animals in their natural habitat. Most tourists are attracted by crocodiles. They feel calm here: they move around the meadows and can be met on the road. At the same time, the animals are not aggressive at all.

The park is great for family vacations with kids.

The best months to visit are the summer months, when it rains frequently and the animals are especially active.

Hotels: Captain's Table Hotel by Everglades Adventures, $80/night; River Wilderness Waterfront Cabins, $120/night.

Before traveling to the Everglades, make sure your phone is fully charged and your internet connection has good speed. We guarantee you'll get plenty of footage. Yesim mobile internet will help you broadcast from the crocodile lawn without any problems or interruptions.

9. Denali (Alaska)

A national park in the far northwest is beautiful in its remoteness from the big world.

The area is 25,000 square kilometers. The terrain in Denali Park includes snowy peaks, coniferous forested mountains, and heather-covered valleys. The area is home to grizzly and black bears, moose, caribou, sheep, and wolves.

The park is a great place to get acquainted with the rugged nature of Alaska. The main attraction is the highest mountain on the mainland, Denali (6190 m). The Alaska Railroad runs through the park, which is very rare for American parks.

In summer, helicopter sightseeing tours, fishing, and rafting are popular. In winter, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

The park will appeal to all lovers of northern wildlife.

The best time to visit is summer and early fall, when the animals are especially active, and you can observe their lives just from the bus window.

Hotels: Mckinley Chalet Resort Denali Park, $149/night; Denali Bluffs Hotel — Denali Park, from $267/night.

Read also: Mobile Internet in the USA for Tourists: How to Connect

10. Bryce Canyon (Utah)

The best national parks in the US are hard to imagine without Bryce Canyon, located in the west of the country in Utah.

The area is 145 square kilometers. Vegetation in this area is scarce, and animals are practically absent.

The whole territory of the park is covered with rocks of amazing shape and color. Red, yellow, and sandy shades prevail. Rows of multicolored rocks present a surreal picture. Especially at dawn or dusk, when they are spectacularly illuminated by sunlight. The atmosphere here is very reminiscent of an alien one. Famous directors have filmed their unearthly landscapes here many times.

The most visited places in the park are the observation decks: Sunrise Playground, Sunset Playground, and Bryce Playground. There are convenient hiking trails. Photographers often use the park's landscapes for impressive photo shoots.

Entertainment: hiking, biking, quad biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing.

The best time to visit is in all seasons except summer. An excellent choice for family outings. Hotels include Bryce Country Cabins, $197/night; Bryce Trails Bed and Breakfast, $232/night.

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