10 of the best National Parks in the USA

In this article we will travel to 10 of the best parks in the United States, finding out when to visit them and the easiest way to get there.

The parks of the United States capture millions of travellers and nature lovers year after year. The vastness and beauty of these national parks make it possible for humans to connect with their most conscious and primitive side, with their roots and gratitude towards the environment.

Although the United States has a reputation for being a hyper-consumerist country, it is also important to highlight the importance they place on preserving and respecting the nature of national ecosystems.

If you enjoy being in touch with nature, you don't necessarily have to be an expert hiker or do extreme sports to enjoy it - just give yourself the opportunity to experience some of these parks at your own pace.

Many of these US national parks even have low-intensity trails and roads, as well as overlooks that you can see from your car window.

Are you ready to experience 10 of America's most enchanting and visited parks? Remember, this is just a small selection of parks as the United States currently has more than 60 national parks, you can add in the comments which one you liked the most, and which one you would add to the list.

If you enjoy nature, you will probably be interested in reading: 10 habits of sustainable travellers and 15 best ways to take care of the environment and travel responsibly.

America's most visited parks

1. Be amazed by the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is an incredible place... its immensity is impossible to describe in words.

Located in the northern part of the state of Arizona, the Grand Canyon is one of the most popular parks in the country and also one of the best known internationally.

This canyon was formed millions of years ago by the Colorado River, a river that continues to flow through part of the canyon, and adds to its charms with great waterfalls and cascades.

The huge rocks of red, orange, yellow and pink colours paint a landscape that looks like something out of a movie, ideal to enjoy an unforgettable sunset. The panoramic views and trails surrounded by nature make this place a special place in the world.

During your visit you can ask at the information centre about trekking (difficulty and time), and find out more about the park. If you want, you can also rent a bicycle to explore the park on two wheels.

You can access the Grand Canyon on your own in your car, on a tour, or by bus (which is the simplest way to visit, so you don't have to look for parking).

I recommend that you visit during the months of March, April and May, as there are not so many people and the weather allows you to enjoy the place 100%.

"/>

2. Enjoy the country's first National Park: Yellowstone

Yellowstone is one of the most emblematic natural parks on the planet. It was founded in 1872, being recognized as the first national park in the United States.

In addition to the historical fact that it provides respect and care for wildlife, Yellowstone would years later become the home of the most famous bear on American television: Yogi Bear and his companion in adventures, Bubu Bear.

Yellowstone National Park stretches across Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Inside the park are striking geysers, a type of hot spring that spews its vapours outward with great force. The most popular in the park is Old Faithful, one of the oldest geysers in the world.

You'll be able to observe wildlife in Yellowstone, but be mindful to respect the animals that live there. Keep an eye out for trail signs. You may encounter elk, and if you're lucky, wolves, bison and grizzly bears.

You will need more than three days to cover the entire park. I recommend that you plan your arrival to the park a little in advance to get the most out of it. You can also hire the tourist service offered by the park rangers.

The best time to visit Yellowstone is during the spring months, when temperatures are in the high 20s.

"/>

3. Explore the vastness of Yosemite

Yosemite is one of the most talked-about parks in the United States, especially by travellers visiting the West Coast, as this national park is located 300 kilometres from San Francisco in the state of California.

Its rich biodiversity led to the park's designation as a World Heritage Site in 1984.

Its waterfalls, glaciers and sequoia forests invite nature lovers to fall in love during their visit. Especially when contemplating "El Capitan", the world's largest granite rock, with a height of 900 metres.

Yosemite is home to biodiversity, and if you are lucky you may encounter owls, wolves, and even bears during your visit.

Yosemite is a great place to visit at any time of the year, but be sure to check beforehand if you plan to visit during the winter months, as some of the roads and entrances to the park are sometimes closed due to storms.

"/>

4. Marvel at the world's oldest trees in Sequoia National Park.

Gigantic species of trees give life to this forest of coloured bark and huge trunks, located in the Sierra Nevada in the State of California.

Sequoia National Park is clothed in the majestic Sequoias, a tree species that has been around for more than a thousand years... hence its huge size.

Most symbolic and special on this trip is the "General Sherman", the largest and oldest tree in the forest, estimated to be between 2200 and 2700 years old!

Sequoia has several activities and trails to explore, which change depending on the time of year. Check out the National Park Service website for all the information you need to know (nps.gov).

"/>

5. Discover the Great Smokey Mountains

The most visited park in the United States annually is the Great Smokey Mountains. The wilderness park straddles the Tennessee and North Carolina state borders.

The Great Smokey Mountains, as they are called in English, "The Great Smoky Mountains", is a park internationally renowned for its scenery and biodiversity, but especially for its mountain views of the Appalachian Mountain Range.

In this national park you can relax in the greenery of the Cades Cove Valley and marvel at the historic buildings: farms, mills and even churches. On the trails you can feel that special connection with nature, its streams, Laurel Falls and Hen Wallow Falls.

The park tends to be most visited during the summer months, but the peak spectacle occurs when the change of season begins, the passage into autumn brings a palette of many colours to the vegetation.

"/>

6. Rest in the wilderness of Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park was added to the list of national parks in 1994.

It is located east of the city of Los Angeles in the state of California. The park is defined by its vast wilderness, but the most captivating and striking feature is the abundance of Joshua trees.

Another feature of the park is the huge boulders, which give the feeling of being in a Jurassic park.

In this park you can go hiking, climb the huge boulders, and if you're lucky you might even find a desert critter.

"/>

7. Visit Zion National Park

Zion National Park is located in the state of Utah. Although it is not a super park, it is one of the most visited parks in the United States.

Its main treasure is Zion Canyon, although other natural attractions such as Horse Ranch Mountain and Twin Brothers Peaks are also present.

8. Take in the sights of Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park boasts one of the largest forests in the country. It is located in western Washington State, and has four regions: the Pacific Coast, western temperate rainforest, alpine regions and eastern forests.

The park is home to an exquisite coastline, as well as the most acclaimed landmarks: Mount Olympus and Mount Disappointment.

Camping is available in this park, but if you are staying for a short period of time you can enjoy a full day of hiking and other attractions that this tourist site has to offer.

"/>

9. Relax at Hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs is a very unique park, as it breaks away from the expected prototype of a national park. It is adjacent to a town, Hot Springs, with a main street and buildings surrounding it.

The national park is renowned for its wealth of hot springs. Adding to its charm are attractive hiking trails that wind through the Hot Springs Mountains.

10. See the famous Death Valley

Death Valley National Park is located in the westernmost part of California. Its landscape is not sparse, and it's not all dead as the name implies, with salt flats, desert, sand dunes, and canyons.

This is the ideal place for a one- or two-day getaway (or more if you can)... the important thing is that you can spend a night in the middle of the desert to contemplate the magic of the starry sky, without light pollution the sky really looks the way it is.

As well as camping you can go hiking and mountain biking... sounds good, doesn't it?

"/>

Some tips for visiting America's parks

While each natural park is unique with its landscape, they all share one general characteristic: they are very large (obviously some more than others). What I mean by this, is that during your visit to a park, evaluate how many days you will be there, and plan which trail you will take.

Keep in mind to save money during your visit to the parks, buy the "annual pass". This ticket allows you to enter as many national parks as you want for a whole year, as many times as you want. The current price is 80 dollars, and it's well worth it. This way you'll save on paying an entrance fee at every park you visit.

Last but not least, remember to bring plenty of water to keep you hydrated and some snacks to recharge your energy. Sometimes with so much beauty around you, you forget these basic necessities.

You'll get to see the national parks while experiencing cultural immersion, connect with the locals, and save a great deal of money by exchanging your skills for accommodation and other benefits the host has planned for you within their project.

To understand more about volunteering, I recommend you read the article "What is volunteering: making a positive impact" and watch the following video:

There are plenty of volunteer opportunities in the United States. And best of all, there is a diversity of proposals, be it social impact, ecological, and others aimed at tourism development.

You can continue planning your trip to the USA by reading the following articles:

• How to travel cheap in the USA.

• What places to visit in California, USA.

• Guide to visiting New York for the first time: what to see and recommendations.