Top 10 US National Parks: Epic Adventures Await

The United States has a proud history of preserving its natural beauty through national parks. Each year, millions of visitors flock to these 423 parks to admire the great American wilderness and its wildlife. But which are the most popular?

The parks are diverse in their appeal and attractions. Some exhibit the desert landscapes of the dry country, and others offer majestic forests, bears, and snow-covered mountains. Others are home to some essential historical and geological North American landmarks.

With so many parks to choose from, which ones should you put at the top of your bucket list? Let’s look at the 10 popular national parks in the US, listed alphabetically.

Photo byDisha SharmaonUnsplash

1. Arches National Park, Utah

This beautiful wilderness park in Utah is known mostly for its incredible natural sandstone arches. There are about 2000 of them. One of the most famous is the Delicate Arch, which is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide.

Another one of the attractions is the Balanced Rock, which is right in the middle of the park. As a site for strange and wonderful geological phenomena, it’s not hard to see why this area was destined to become a national treasure.

Visitors recommend the cooler months for visiting the park, as the hottest part of the year regularly sees 100-degree days. This makes hiking around the park hard work.

Arches National Park receives around 1.3 million visitors per year.

2. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

The beautiful spires of this Utah park are best viewed at either sunrise or sunset. These impressive rock formations are called hoodoos. They even form a natural amphitheater accessible from the Rim Trail hike path. Make a specific effort to get to Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point around sunset.

Bryce Canyon National Park receives around 1.5 million visitors per year.

3. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Oregon is a beautiful state, so it’s no small feat to be described as one of the most beautiful and picturesque areas of that state. As the name suggests, the centrepiece of this stunning national park in the Cascade Mountains is Crater lake itself. It also happens to be the deepest lake in the continental United States.

There are lots of trails to hike around the lake area and through the surrounding forests. You can stop to view gorgeous waterfalls, wildlife, and superb lakeside scenery along the way. For a shorter visit, it is best to take the Rim Drive, a road circling the lake. Make a special note to view the Phantom Ship, a tiny island located in the lake itself.

Approximately half a million visitors head to Crater Lake National Park each year.

4. Death Valley National Park, California & Nevada

Death Valley carries all the charm and mystical appeal one might expect from such a name. The national park in question may be the hottest and driest, and it’s undoubtedly one of the warmest places in the US in summer.

The most well-known landmarks in the park are Titus Canyon and its ghost town, the Badwater Basin. This basin is North America’s lowest land point. Other colourfully-named areas include the Devil’s Golf Course.

It is worth noting that this is the largest national park in the US outside of Alaska, drawing around 1.5 million visitors each year.

5. Everglades National Park, Florida

The Everglades in Florida provide visitors with the best experiences of semi-equatorial wetland wildlife. The Everglades is actually a large area covered in mangroves, sawgrass, and pinewoods. The wildlife here is abundant and notable for its unique species and habitat.

For example, the Everglades is the only known region on earth where alligators and crocodiles can be found sharing a habitat. There are also plenty of fascinating but endangered species clinging on for survival, which makes seeing the Everglades that much more important for the current generation.

Due to its geography, the best way to travel around Everglades National Park is by boat, which can be hired for day trips and the like.

A million people do the Everglades National Park experience each year.

6. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Everybody knows about the Grand Canyon and its national park. These legendary red rocks have been the subject of decades of study, admiration, and storytelling. Six million years went into creating these views, which extend over an area greater than the state of Rhode Island!

This geological phenomenon is so immense it actually influences weather patterns. One notable trait of the park is the deceptive terrain. To travel just ten miles in straight distance between the north and south rims, you have to traverse over 200 miles of road to get around the geography.

Nearly six million people visit the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona (or part of it) each year.

7. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee & North Carolina

Tennessee and North Carolina offer the legendary Great Smoky Mountains, familiar to music lovers because of its most famous native, Dolly Parton. The mountains are so named because it regularly carries a blanket of fog, which no doubt has contributed to an abundant plant and animal ecosphere.

Several natural and constructed attractions contribute to making this park into one of the most visited places in the entire United States. Within the park, the most popular activity is driving the Cades Cove Loop Road.

Nearly 15 million people visit the Great Smoky Mountains every year.

8. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

This incredible park is both an International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. One fascinating aspect of the park is the presence of two active volcanoes — Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. This park is great if you have an interest in volcanology, as the Crater Rim Drive is marked by centres and exhibits along the way.

At various times, the volcanoes offer views of lava and even small eruptions. There are also regularly active steam vents. Bear in mind that these conditions are closely monitored and walks and visits may sometimes be restricted for safety reasons. Take a guided tour for a rich and educational experience.

Hawai’i Volcanoes receive 1.3 million visitors per year.

9. Joshua Tree National Park, California

In the California desert, the famous and iconic Joshua Trees rise from the landscape. In 1994, the area was added to the national registry of protected parks. It is marked by visually stunning rock formations and Mojave and Colorado Desert vistas.

Hike through iconic California landmarks like The Hidden Valley, and enjoy the big sky, especially in the evenings. This place is designated a Dark Sky Association park, ideal for amateur astronomers to observe a sky unimpeded by artificial light.

Annual visitors regularly number around three million.

10. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

Yellowstone may be the most famous national park in the US, if not the world. You likely already know about the key attraction, Old Faithful, a geyser that erupts fairly regularly and makes for great photograph opportunities! The geyser can attract up to 2000 people per eruption, which happens every 60 to 110 minutes.

The 3500 square mile park is situated on top of a mega volcano system, providing the hot spring and geyser activity. Aside from that, there’s a wealth of wildlife activity, including bears, elk, bison, wolves, and many other species. Many families take summer vacation camping excursions in the park.

About five million people visit the park each year, most of whom come in July.