Stuck at home during a pandemic giving you the travel blues? Maybe you’re thinking of all the traveling and exploring you’re going to be doing once it is over? A trip around the USA? Some National Parks? Lucky for you, the United States currently has 61 national parks. But how will you choose which ones to explore first? Look no further as I have put together a list of the best national parks in the US that will cure your wanderlust! This in-depth guide will show you the good and bad of these US national parks!
Traveling by plane wasn’t always as easy as it is now. So what did people do instead? They went on road trips and explored the United States.
Without further ado, this is a list of the best national parks that will leave you with a new, profound love for the US!
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
This is the Grand Canyon… you can’t take a road trip to the United States without SEEING the Grand Canyon. Whether you decide to make it a day trip or weekend trip, this is a must-see. If you can, try getting there in the AM in time to see the sunrise.
Perk: No crowds!
The Grand Canyon is an awesome place to visit for a lot of reasons. It’s the most visited natural wonder in the world, and it’s one of the most breathtaking sights you can see in person.
The Grand Canyon is home to many beautiful hiking trails, which allow you to explore the canyon from ground level. If you’re looking to get closer to nature, there are plenty of opportunities for horseback riding, rafting through the Colorado River, or simply enjoying some time in this beautiful outdoor paradise.
This top bucket list destination is popular all year round, and you can guess which season has the most crowds. Ahem! (Summer). However, for a change of scenery, visiting during the winter is quieter, and there are fewer crowds. It sounds like a good time to me!
On the contrary, the summertime brings beautiful fauna displays, red/orange beautiful cliffs, and warm weather! No need to bundle up and bring blankets!
My experience: I visited the Grand Canyon in 2018 while road tripping America, and the traffic was nuts. Rookie mistake: We began driving from Flagstaff, Arizona and arrived at about noon. We waited in line for an hour (and that’s only because we cut off a couple of people, I’m sorry!). Lucky for us, we had our national parks pass, which saved us a whopping $30! We thought the waiting was over, but then we had to find parking for our first viewpoint.
Another hour of waiting. Yep, it took us that long! Yavapai Point was beautiful and the prime location for our pictures. Why? 20 minutes later, it started to downpour, and roads were becoming a bit dangerous to drive around.
The Grand Canyon is a SIGHT TO SEE guaranteed to make you feel super small. BUT, it can also open your eyes to the natural beauty of the world around you.
Death Valley National Park, California
I have been to MANY national parks, but this one left me BREATHLESS. 3+ million acres of land with an assortment of beautiful sand dunes, abandoned mines, and long salt flats. Apart from the beautiful landscapes, it is also ONE OF THE HOTTEST PLACES ON EARTH. Check out this picture below!
Don’t get thrown off by the name (a terrifying name). It is home to beautiful scenery, and you get to feel like you’re on a whole different planet (maybe even a different dimension).
Aside from being the largest national park in the United States (not including Alaska), the lowest elevation point in North America is also located here. Badwater Basin is located in the heart of Death Valley and is elevated at -282 feet below sea level.
History lesson: An explorer needed to hydrate his mule and discovered that the water was way too salty to drink. And boom! That body of water was named Badwater Basin.
When walking towards the platform, you may notice that the “lake” looks more like snow rather than a blue lake with crisp water. Do you want to take a guess why? Alright, I’ll help you out! Death Valley is a desert where water evaporates rather quickly. The water from the lake doesn’t stand a chance, leaving behind all the salt you see on the ground.
Something Nobody Tells You: Badwater Basin is 5 miles long, so come prepared (especially in the summer months!). This means bring LOTS of water, and it’s okay if you don’t make it across. Most people don’t!
It is insanely cool looking back and seeing THAT much salt on the ground. I mean, who knew that was even possible? Definitely not me!
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular visitor destinations in the United States. With rock-climbing, hiking, horseback riding and more, you’ll have a lifetime of memories. There is a reason this natural beauty is one of the most visited parks AND has a spot on everyone’s bucket list. It is filled with stunning landscapes, raging waterfalls, and gigantic trees that prove how beautiful this place actually is. I was lucky enough to visit 2 years ago, and I don’t regret it one bit!
You can see how I road tripped the US super cheap, HERE.
Things To Know:
- Traffic to get into the park is CRAZY during the summer. There is a wait time of one hour and sometimes even more. If you want to avoid crowds, like other parks, visit during the winter and fall months.
- If you don’t care about the traffic and want to see some CRAZY waterfalls, the summer months are perfect!
Arches National Park, Utah
I love Arches National Park because it’s home to some of the most impressive natural rock formations I’ve ever seen. I mean, how did those rocks get to be shaped like that?! Anyways, if you are planning a road trip, this is a park that can not be missed. Yes, the summer months are brutal because 1) crowds and 2) insane heat. I say this about many of the national parks, but it is noted for a reason. Believe me.
Towards the end of my trip to Arches National Park, I just needed to see one more Arch. Delicate Arch was a must-see destination, according to online sources. While looking up information online, I noticed there were two ways to see it. The first view was from afar and I knew the pictures wouldn’t turn out the way I wanted them to. So, we decided to do the 3-mile round trip hike. I thought to myself, “3 miles isn’t even so bad, it’ll be fine”. So we went. With one water bottle and a backpack full of camera gear, we started our hike.
After about forty-five minutes, I couldn’t breathe. It was EXTREMELY hot (like 96 degrees hot!), and there were lots of hills on the trail to get there. I thought I was going to die, but fortunately, I found a rock under some shade. I took the opportunity to rehydrate and recover. After 15 minutes, my boyfriend convinced me to keep going, and I’m glad I went. The view was indescribable. It made the whole trip worth it. See it below!
Our quick stop at Arches National Park was just long enough for me to see that it would be a great place for stargazing, if only we had stayed longer. Next time, I’ll make sure we plan an overnight trip so that I can really take in the dark skies!
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
If you love adventure, you’ll enjoy visiting this national park. The landscape is beautiful and surprising—it looks surreal. I was awestruck by the rock formations called “hoodoos.” How did those rocks form in such strange shapes? The red, orange and yellow colors are particularly beautiful against the blue sky.
Tip: Watch your step while hiking, some advanced trails don’t have guard rails!
- One of the most accessible hikes you can do is the Mossy Cave, which is kid-friendly!
- Make sure to visit Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, and Sunrise Point for some of the best views!
Tip #2: Make sure to visit Bryce Point for the best sunrise you’ll ever see! You won’t regret it! Thank me later.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
You would think that the biggest sand dunes would be found near the ocean, right? The tallest sand dunes in North America are actually located in Colorado! A state that is so far away from the coast! The truth is, I thought this park wouldn’t be as cool as the other ones I mentioned. But, let me give you some quick (yet practical!) tips right now:
- It gets frigid the higher up you go, so bring a sweater! I was sweating while driving to the park, but when I got there, I needed a jacket! Be prepared.
- Wear sunglasses and a bandana on your face to protect your face from flying sand.
- It is not an easy walk, just saying. Going up the dune requires LOTS of physical exertion. The soft and shifting sand doesn’t make it any easier, too.
- Wear sneakers! Sandals will not help you. At some point, my sneakers were filled with so much sand that I took them off!
- Keep water in the car to wash your face after you’re done with the hike. Your face will be so dirty and sandy that a nice splash of water will feel amazing!
- Take EXTRA precaution when bringing your camera to the dunes. Sand WILL get inside and potentially damage it!
I’m in the process of making a Great Sand Dunes guide. Coming soon 🙂
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Last but not least, Rocky Mountain National Park. PSA: I have a massive fear of heights, so I didn’t know this park was highly elevated. Yeah, 14,259 feet is a high elevation for me. Long story short, I had a panic attack. I forced my boyfriend to drive back down 🙁 The drive is about an hour and a half from Denver, which is convenient if you’re flying down from the airport. While driving up the mountain, the views were impressive and breathtaking, though. Once we reached 7,000+ feet up, I began to feel lightheaded and had difficulty breathing. Always stay hydrated, it helps tons! I didn’t make it up the mountain (thanks fear of heights), but we did find this cute trail once we reached the bottom! So the trip wasn’t totally ruined?
And that’s it! You have reached the end of my list of best national parks to travel to in the US! Lots of bucket list inspiration, huh? Interested in seeing how I toured the United States cheaply? Click HERE!
Leave a comment with your favorite national parks! xo
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