America’s National Parks
America’s National Parks
The United States was the first nation in the world to create a national park, protecting Yellowstone in 1872. Many more followed in its wake, and today the country boasts 58 designated national parks spread all across the nation. Some of the natural gems in America’s crowns are preserved and showcased in its national parks, including Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and Sequoia.
California and Alaska contain the most parks, at eight each, followed by Colorado and Utah with five each. In fact, most of the major national parks are located in the western half of the country. The parks are all intended for public use, and while many have entrance fees to help with maintenance, the hiking trails and campgrounds are open to everyone.
This is one of the most popular vacations for Americans. Every summer, millions take to the roads with their cars loaded up with camping gear, bikes and coolers to enjoy a few days amidst the splendor of nature. While some people simply enjoy taking a scenic cruise through the park, others get serious with rock climbing, kayaking and backpacking into the wilderness.
The scope of America’s parks is astounding. Yellowstone, in Wyoming, is home to gushing geysers, herds of buffalo and kaleidoscopic hot mineral pools. Sequoia, in California, is where towering forests of ancient cedar trees still grow; and Yosemite, also nearby in California, is legendary for its scenery, waterfalls, roaming bears and world-class rock climbing.
America’s most iconic national park is arguably the Grand Canyon, located in northern Arizona. More than four million people make the trek to this massive chasm in the earth to marvel at the power of water over millions of years. But the most visited national park is actually back east in North Carolina. The Great Smoky Mountains are enjoyed by over nine million people every year who come to hike, bike, boat and fish. It’s the most popular park on the American east coast.
America is still creating new national parks. The Great Sand Dunes in Colorado is the latest, established in 2004 to showcase the massive and surprisingly located sand dunes in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Nearby, Utah is another hub of some outstanding parkland. Most of it focuses on the unique red rock geology of the state, featured in outstanding detail in Zion, Bryce and Monument Valley National Parks.
Although it’s a veritable odyssey to reach, the national parks of Alaska such as Denali and Wrangell-St Elias are simply magical. Vast herds of wildlife still roam freely among a glacial landscape that is as surreal as possible in North America. The road trip to get there is equally impressive, a pilgrimage of sorts for lovers of nature and the great outdoors.
