Which National Park Should I Visit in USA? How to Planning Your Trip

As a travel blogger, I’ve spent years traveling to the most amazing places in the world. The best part about my job is that I get to share those experiences with you and help guide you through your own journeys! One of the questions I’m most often asked as a travel writer is “What’s your favorite national park?” Well, it depends on what kind of traveler you are, but if this question has ever crossed your mind then this post is for you! In today’s blog post we’ll be discussing all of the amazing national parks in America and some tips on how to plan an unforgettable trip:
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. It’s one of the most famous national parks in the US, and it’s a great place for hiking, biking and camping. Here are some more things to know before you go:
- Bears live here! While they’re usually shy, they have been known to get aggressive when they feel threatened by humans or their food (like trash). Don’t hike alone and make sure to store your food securely so that bears don’t get any ideas about raiding your campsite!
- There’s lots of wildlife here! Yosemite has over 230 species of birds as well as deer and mountain lions who roam around freely in this wilderness area. You may even spot some bighorn sheep on a hike if you’re lucky!
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is the world’s first national park. It is located in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone was established in 1872 with the goal of preserving its natural wonders for future generations. The park is home to grizzly bears, wolves, bison and more than 1,000 species of animals.
The most popular tourist attraction within Yellowstone National Park is Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts about once every 90 minutes during the summer months (from April through October).
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous and beloved natural wonders in the world. It’s located in northern Arizona, and it’s divided into two sections: the North Rim and South Rim. The canyon measures 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep at its deepest point.
If you’re planning on visiting this national park for your trip to America (and you should!), these are some things to keep in mind when deciding where to stay:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the southeastern United States, straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. It is America’s most visited national park, with over 10 million visitors a year. The park covers 800 square miles and protects one of the largest forests in the eastern U.S., known as “The Land of Waterfalls.”
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans two states, with most of its protected lands lying in Tennessee. The mountain range runs along part of North Carolina’s western border with Tennessee and extends into Alabama as well.
Banff National Park
Banff National Park is a beautiful place to visit. It’s located in Alberta, Canada and is home to many different animals. This park is open year round and offers countless activities for visitors that are there during the summer months or winter months.
During the summer months you can go hiking or climb one of the many mountains located in Banff National Park. Or perhaps you’d like to take in some wildlife from afar by taking a tour on foot or on horseback. There are also opportunities for fishing, kayaking and rafting among other things!
If you’re looking for something more active during your stay here then consider renting bikes or taking advantage of our free shuttles that run throughout town every day (from 8am – 9pm). These shuttles will take you anywhere within Banff’s urban core including popular attractions such as Sulphur Mountain gondola ride (which takes visitors up over 1,000 meters/3281 feet above sea level so they can see views like this), Banff Gondola Ski Resort (if it’s winter time), Castle Mountain Resort Ski Area & Spa along with grocery stores if needed too!
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t quite as large as Yellowstone, but it’s still one of the most beautiful places in the country. With over 415 miles of trails, there are plenty of options for hiking and exploring. There are also several campgrounds to choose from, if you’d like to stay overnight.
The park encompasses many different terrains—you’ll see peaks above 13,000 feet and meadows filled with wildflowers below 8,000 feet. You can explore high alpine tundra or hike through forests full of Douglas firs and Engelmann spruce trees (which reach heights over 200 feet). If snowmobiling is your thing, there are many opportunities for that here too!
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a beautiful park in Maine, with amazing scenery and great hiking trails. It makes for a wonderful vacation spot to spend time with family and friends. The park has many sites to visit that are within walking distance of the town center, including Bar Harbor hotels, bed & breakfasts, restaurants and shops. There are also opportunities for boating or kayaking on the bay just outside of town; if you’re looking for something more active than sitting around all day then this might be your best bet instead!
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is located in the US state of Montana. It is one of the most visited parks in the country and boasts over 700 species of plants and hundreds of animals. Established in 1910, Glacier has been recognized for its natural beauty as well as its cultural significance to Native American groups who have lived on this land for centuries.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is located in southern Utah. This park offers camping, hiking, and a variety of other outdoor activities. Zion National Park is a popular destination for both locals and visitors alike due to its beautiful landscapes, including its amazing slot canyons which are accessible by foot or horseback riding.
Zion offers many different trails that are easy-to-access but still have breathtaking views at the end of them. There are also many different options for families who want to take short hikes as well as longer ones for those looking for more of an adventure!
Denali National Park and Preserve
Denali National Park and Preserve is a United States National Park located in the central region of Alaska. The park contains Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America. Denali is home to many different ecosystems, ranging from alpine tundra to boreal forests. There are more than 3 million acres of wilderness within the park’s borders and it’s difficult to find an area that is not teeming with wildlife. Denali was established as Mount McKinley National Park on February 26th 1917 but was renamed ten years later when its namesake peak was renamed after President William McKinley who had been assassinated in 1901 during his second term as President (I didn’t know this either until I read about it!).
Denali is also home to some amazing wildlife including grizzly bears, Dall sheep, moose and caribou – just keep an eye out for them!
There are amazing national parks all over the world. Hopefully you can visit a few in your lifetime.
The United States is home to some of the most spectacular national parks in the world. There are 417 of them and counting, with many more being added each year. Some are more accessible than others, but all are worth visiting if you have the opportunity.
There are different types of national parks:
- National Parks – these areas preserve unique ecosystems, such as canyons or forests;
- National Monuments – these areas protect archaeological sites; and
- National Seashores – these areas preserve shorelines with their natural beauty intact.
If you have time (and money), I highly recommend visiting several different parks on your trip so that you can get a taste for each type.
Conclusion
The US has some of the most beautiful national parks in the world. We hope you have a chance to visit one of these amazing places!