The National Parks system in the US is one of the best aspects to the country. There are currently 63 of them, scattered around 30 of the states in the union. And each one offers a unique visiting experience. They are often large areas of incredible nature, offering stunning views, outdoor activity opportunities, and generally a refuge to the every hustle and bustle of life. And while there are certainly people whose goal it is to visit all 63, you might not have that kind of time. In this video, we’re taking a look at a few of the top National Parks in the US that shouldn’t be missed. So you’ll be best served by starting with these parks, and then trying to hit as many others as you can. So stay tuned, as Viewcation presents: The Best National Parks in the USA
Yosemite
When it comes to National Parks, nothing can beat the majesty and incredible nature of Yosemite. It’s the favorite National Park of many, many people, and for good reason. It has almost 1200 square miles that boasts a variety of terrain, vistas, and things to do. You can find sequoia trees that have been there for 1000 years, sheer cliff faces, and huge waterfalls. It’s one of the most popular locations for the best rock climbers in the world, thanks to famous rises like Half Dome and El Capitan. Although, despite being utterly enormous, a lot of the best and most popular areas are within Yosemite Valley, which only encompasses about 8 square miles of the park. That’s where both Half Dome and El Capitan are located, as well as a bevy of amazing trails for hiking. And if you’re not a big time rock climber, you’re still in luck. You can try out their guided tours of the area, as well as the climbing lessons offered on site from nearby adventure outfitters. Yosemite Valley is also where a lot of the accommodations and amenities are located, so you’ll likely want to at least make that your base camp for your visit there.
Of course, since it’s one of the top destinations in the U.S., National Park or otherwise, it gets intensely crowded. So don’t expect to have the park to yourself any time soon. 4 million people head to Yosemite every year on average. And a large bulk of them visit during summer. As such, you’ll likely want avoid that season, as you’ll otherwise be stuck in traffic jams and crowds everywhere you go. May and September are great months to visit though, as the crowds aren’t as heavy, and the weather is still nice. Though even if you visit during summer, you’re gonna want to bring warm clothes. Yosemite can get hot during summer days, but it gets as low as the 40’s at night.
Yellowstone
A big reason why the hit show “Yellowstone” has become so popular is the scenery. (Of course, the drama, intrigue, and acting is great too.) But on more than one occasion the characters comment on how stunningly gorgeous the region is. And that certainly holds true for Yellowstone Park itself. Everywhere you turn, it looks like something out of a painting. Incredible mountains jutting out above gorgeous lakes, and lush forests mixed in with meadows. Plus it has hot springs, geysers, and much more. It’s one of the few places in the country that truly looks untouched by man. And as such it’s a tremendous place to visit. It boasts more than 3000 square miles of breathtaking nature, and unlike Yosemite, the ‘go-to’ spots are all over. So despite attracting a similar amount of tourists every year, it never has the crowded feel of Yosemite. (With the small exception of the ultimate tourist destination, the Old Faithful geyser. Though that’s definitely a worthwhile thing to check out while you’re in Yellowstone.)
The park is spread out around parts of Wyoming to Idaho to Montana, and pretty much all of it is as gorgeous as the rest. You’ll be able to find spots where you can be alone, though keep in mind that you’ll likely be in the vicinity of a plentitude of wildlife. Buffalo, deer, elk, and even bears call the park home, and you’ll likely see them simply driving around the roads of the park.
Yellowstone Park and Mammoth Hot Springs are two very popular and fun spots to check out, and you should definitely use a couple days up in those spots. Then you should check out less famous areas like West Thumb Geyser Basin’s hot springs, and areas like Dogshead loop. You’ll get an even more untouched and serene nature experience. Like with Yosemite, the best times of year to visit are late spring and early fall. That’s primary because the weather is more temperate. And like Yosemite, you’ll want to bring warm clothes for the nights, as it can get as cold as the 20’s and 30’s.
Zion
Utah is perhaps a sleeper state when it comes to places people think about for the best natural views. Because while it might be known as a ski destination, Utah actually boasts a slew of incredible National Parks. And one of the best is Zion. It’s in the southwest portion of the state, and it’s gone from being a lesser known spot to one of the most popular National Parks to visit in the country. Like Yosemite and Yellowstone, Zion gets roughly 4 million tourists visiting every year. And for good reason. It’s a wonder to look at, and a fantastic setting to spend time in. Zion Canyon, which has a mix of verdant greens and almost Mars-like reds, is a truly breathtaking place to see. You can check it out by climbing up Angels Landing, or even by heading down the waterway at its base, the Virgin River. And the night sky is free of the pollution-based smog that is so common around the country. So you get an unobstructed view of the incredible star-filled sky every night.
The best times of year to visit Zion are from the late spring into the early fall, which means you don’t have to avoid the summer months. While it’s a popular spot, you won’t feel as intensely cramped from the crowds as you might in Yosemite during the summer. And frankly, it’s somewhat crowded all year, so might as well visit when the weather is nicest.
Something to keep in mind when visiting are that flash floods do happen there. So you’ll want to check out the precipitation forecast before your tips. The valleys will suddenly fill with water, and even the more tame hiking trails can suddenly become dangerous during big storms. It’s also a tricky place to find parking. In fact, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive isn’t even open for private vehicles to drive on during peak visiting months. So be sure to take that into account when planning your visit.
Rocky Mountain
Rock Mountain National Park, sometimes simply referred to as RMNP, encompasses a gorgeous stretch of 265,000 acres in Colorado. Anyone who has visited Colorado can attest to the natural beauty that exists all over the state. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that a National Park there would be jaw-droppingly gorgeous as well. Like the other parks in this video so far, it averages around 4 million people each year. (Makes you wonder if the same 4 million just hop from park to park.) It boasts some of the best hiking trails you’re ever likely to come across, as they jut through spruce and pine forests and stunning lakes. The flora and fauna you’ll take in are stunning, and you should expect to have some (hopefully safe) close encounters with incredible wildlife. And of course the biggest draw is the mountains themselves, which are epic to look at and be on. Longs Peak is the highest point in the park, at over 14,000 feet tall. One interesting thing about visiting RMNP is that people report feelings of wonder and intense happiness from being there. Some speculate that it’s because the thinness of the air, due to the altitude. Or perhaps it’s simply the majestic grandeur of the Rockies. Or probably a bit of both.
And what’s great about RMNP is that it’s not a solely ‘in-nature’ visiting experience. Or at least it doesn’t have to be. You can head down to neighboring Estes Park after a day in the wilderness, and find great hotels, shopping opportunities, restaurants and more. Plus major cities like Denver and Boulder are a quick drive from certain parts of the park, so you’re never too far from civilization when you need to reboot.
RMNP is a perfect spot for summer visits, namely because the snow capped peaks are mostly melted down. That is, assuming you’re looking for activities like hiking and camping. Colorado is also known for its winter sports options, so you can have easily as much success visiting Rocky Mountain in the winter months. Either way, RMNP is open all day, every day of the year. Even if you head there in the warmer months, be sure to wear layers of water-wicking clothes, because the elevation can cause hypothermia even in the heat of the summer. And no matter what time of year you’re there, you’ll be better off getting to the park early in the morning, or staying later in the evening, when crowds are fewer and further between. And if you’re with your kids, a great option is to enroll them as Junior Rangers. You can grab activity booklets for them at the visitors centers all over the park, and find out about Junior Ranger activities that the park offers for free!
Now it’s time to hear from you. Have you ever visited any of these parks? Which National Park is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below!