You feel like you're entering a special place when you roll up in a national park. It could be the smell of trees or the mountain air. You're about to see a big event. It was something.
Two billion years of geological history can be seen in the walls of the canyon. You could fit buildings in the trees. The top sights and activities in the USA's national parks can't be missed if you only sample them.
Forge new connections on your next adventure with the latest advice from our weekly newsletterThe crown jewel of the national park system is the granite rock formations over the river in the valley. The spectacle of waterfalls is created by wild creek plummets from the cliff tops. The icons of rock include El Capitan, Half Dome, the Royal Arches, and the Three Brothers. The sights of the valley are so amazing that no one can detract from the experience.
There are 11 of the most stunning waterfalls at the park.
One of America's most beautiful roads is in Glacier National Park. The drive of their life is offered by going-to-the-Sun road. The 50-mile, vista-laden strip of asphalt offers drivers access to some of the most astounding sights in the Rockies.
It feels as if you are driving on top of the world. Second gear is so much fun.
You'll want to get your backpack on these hikes.
The Grand Canyon is one of the best places to watch the sunset in the world. One of the best places to do it is Lipan Point.
You can enjoy a drink and a swing on the patio of El Tovar lodge, where you can watch the sunset.
Human history can be found in Grand Canyon National Park.
Some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country can be seen from the Snake River. It is the perfect place to look at the Grand Tetons, but it is also a great place to watch wildlife.
float trips range from gentle to giant water Prepare to be awed.
On this women's history road trip, you'll discover why Wyoming is the Equality State.
The granite in Joshua Tree is perfect for rock climbing and bouldering. One of the world's rock meccas has more than 8000 established climbing routes.
There are classes for beginners and the climbing formations are great for experienced climbers. The Joshua trees give the scenery a strange character.
Getting to know a national park.
Longs Peak in the Rockies is truly a feast for the eyes, whether you hike to the top of its 14,259-foot summit or just stare from below. It should be the highest peak.
Those who attempt the ascent via the Keyhole Route have to brave the hair-raising Ledges, before conquering the Trough and crossing the Narrows. It's home stretch. There are amazing views from the top.
The best hikes in Colorado are in the mountain range.
Prepare to get wet on this hike up the Virgin River as you check your claustrophobia at the door. Wall Street is where the canyon narrows to under 30 feet as you make your way upriver.
No matter how many times you have looked at the weather, the river is bound by cliffs and it is impossible to forget about flash floods. The adventure in Zion is unforgettable.
Utah has national parks.
Nothing prepares you for the first time you see a moose outdoors. You probably have your eyes closed if you don't see a moose or a bison or a herd of animals in the park. The parks are comparable to the Galpagos, the Serengeti and Brazil's Pantanal.
There are big mammals all over the place. The knowledge that wolves and mountain lions are present adds to the rush. If you want to see all the dramatic mountain scenery and crystal blue water that Grand Teton has to offer, don't miss the chance to go to Yellowstone.
How to see 10 of the most amazing waterfalls at the park.
One of the best ways to start a day is from the top of Cadillac Mountain. Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on Maine's Mount Desert Island at 1530 feet above sea level.
The island is one of the easternmost points in the USA and, while it is technically not the first place that catches the morning sun, we prefer to do what everyone else is doing at sunrise.
US national parks are some of the best in the world.
Hoodoos are one of the most unusual formations on the planet.
The so-called Silent City is a conglomeration of hoodoos so vast you would be forgiven for not knowing it. Life's treats include sunrise over the amphitheater.
The best hikes in Utah are listed here.
Don't let the rain affect you. The rainforest in Olympic is one of the most beautiful places in North America. It is one of the driest places with an average of 170in of rain per year.
A canopy so dense the forest floor seems trapped in the low light of dusk is created by a lot of water. You should pack a rain shell.
Sea stacks, waterfalls, and ancient petroglyphs can be found on the best hikes in the park.
The third largest of the country's national parks is a paddler's paradise with kayak and canoe "trails".
Some of the wildlife that boaters come across are crocodiles, alligator, turtles, cormorants, herons, egrets and fish. The waters are easy to navigate thanks to the helpful kayak and canoe trail maps. The binoculars should be packed.
There are eight best campgrounds in Florida.
In Mesa Verde, the largest cliff dwelling in North America, there are 217 rooms and 23 kivas. Visitors are required to climb down a stone stairway and four 10ft ladders in order to reach the palace.
It is a great place to look at the clues left by the people who left in AD 1300.
Colorado's national parks are amazing.
In Alaskan coastal areas, which are characterized by extreme tidal fluctuations, cold water and the possibility of high winds and waves, blue-water paddling is the means of escape.
Humpback whales, black bears, seals and bald eagles can be seen in this grand park, where a tide-water glacier appears to be calved.
There are some of the best wildlife experiences in the United States.
The high meadow is covered in snow for nine months of the year. The flowers explode into bloom when the snow is gone. There are a lot of flowers on the slopes of the highest mountain in the state.
There are 63 national parks in the United States.
The article was published in June of 2019.