If one asked to choose the top 5 National Parks in the United States then the job is very difficult. However, we can rank them based on the number of yearly visitors and hence create a list of most visited Nationa Parks.
State Parks & National Parks have widely spread across the US, making it a favourite place for nature lovers. There is a total of 61 National Parks exists in the US. Each and every park is worth a million in terms of greenery, hills, wildlife, waterfalls and many other things. It is difficult (but not impossible!) to visit all these parks because Parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite etc needs months to explore every inch of the park.
For wanderlusts, it is no big deal! Before going to see such places you better need a travel checklist. Because most of the state parks don’t have facilities to shop whenever you need or fancy restaurants. Make sure you are well prepared to explore the beauty of nature.
Today we will see some of the best and most visited National parks.
1) Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is the very first National Park created in the United States in 1972. This also holds the record of first National Park in the entire world. This huge park is located in 3 states, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Spread across 8,983 kilometres, Yellowstone is huge consisting of lakes, trails, hills, mountains, waterfalls, canyons, wildlife, forest and much more. There is so much to explore in this Park that every trip will be incomplete and people come back with the thirst of wanting to go back again.
The park has a number of visitor centres, restrooms, entrances, restaurants and stores to help tourists. Canyon area, Grand Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Lake, Fairy and Firehole Falls, Mammoth Hot springs, Norris Geyser Basin, Tower Rosevelt and Northeast, West thumb, Grant, South are some of the major locations one should explore in Yellowstone. All these locations have their own waterfalls, lakes, springs and many other things.
Natural geysers are one of the main attraction of Yellowstone. There is a number of natural hot water geysers where water emerges from the ground like a fountain. These are natural hence can be seen anytime and they are spread across the park.
Bison & Grizzly bears are the common animals wandering around, stopping the vehicles thus giving the natural feel to this National Park. Thousands of trails lead their way to the park where you can explore the great beauty of nature on your own.
Since the park is huge, you need to plan your visit based on the vacation time. It takes almost half an hour to 45 minutes to travel from one place to another.
2) Grand Canyon National Park
The canyons are distributed through 1,217,262 acres creating one of the greatest National Park called ‘Grand Canyon National Park’.
Canyons are almost 1 mile deep and 15 miles wide. The Colorado river flowing between the Canyon takes twists and turns to create a spectacular view of land and water.
The park is divided into South Rim and North Rim. South Rim is the most visited part because it is easy to travel and more accessible compared to the North Rim. Cruising in Colorado river, Hiking, Mule trips and river flat trips are some of the ways to explore Grand Canyon.
Sunset at Cape Royal Point, North Rim is one of the must-see things at Grand Canyon.
3) Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited National Park in the US. In 2016 alone there were 11.3 million visitors to this park!
Cades Cove loop (Scenic mountain valley drive), Clingmans Dome (Highest point in Tennesse), Little River Road (Waterfalls and trails), Newfound Gap Road( 13 miles of mountain landscapes) etc are some of the things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Usually, people visit this park during the fall to see the color change. During winter, various snow activities are held and this is the best place for skiing.
4) Yosemite National Park
Covered with huge mountains and waterfalls Yosemite National Park also offers granite cliffs, giant sequoias, wildflowers, and wild animals. The park geographically divided into 4 areas High Sierra, Granite Cliffs, Sequoia Groves, and Valley.
High Sierra is full of Granite Domes, Craggy peaks, and spacious meadows. Lambert Dome, Cathedral Peak, Pikas (Animals), marmots etc are the main attractions of High Sierra.
The massive cliffs joined together and are called Granite Cliffs. Half Dome, El Capitan are some of the highest cliffs in this area. These cliffs challenge climbers with their enormous structure yet there are few people who have reached the top of the cliffs. The shape of the cliffs keeps changing because of the weather, ice, and rockfall.
Tallest trees are another great attraction of Yosemite National Park. Giant Sequoia groves trunk can reach over 25 feet thick! One most interesting fact is that they need fire for reproduction. Hence no need to worry when these trees catch fire.
Most of the year, Merced river flow through Yosemite valley. Black beer, mule deers, Black Oak Acorns can be seen more on the valley side.
5) Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is located in California, within 4 hrs of distance from Yosemite. Hence people who come to see Yosemite usually cover Sequoia as part of their trip.
Compared to all the National Parks mentioned above, Sequoia is very small, just spread across 1,635 km. One day would be enough to explore the entire park.
The park is full of tall trees and their pine cones. General Sherman Tree exists in this park is the largest tree on Earth! Along with Sequoia trees, the park consists of Redwood, Palms and many other varieties.
Kings Canyon National Park & Sequoia National Park are just 40 minutes away from each other. Both of these parks run in parallel making it convenient for travellers to visit 2 parks in one single trip.
A number of tunnels formed by the fallen sequoia trees connect roads inside the park. Shuttles are available to travel from one place to the other within the park.
My brother lives in United States and he has visited most of them. They are all just so beautiful. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful list.
That’s great 🙂
USA has a lot of greenary, and many national parks. We have been to the Great Smoky Mountains. Still have to check out the other parks.
It must have been a great experience 🙂
Such lovely places. Wish I could visit them.
Wow!! Yellowstone is the very first National Park created in the United States in 1972. This also holds the record of first National Park in the entire world.
I have been to the Grand Canyons and its beautiful. Hope I get to see the other spots too. Nice post.
Wouod live to visit the Yellowstone National Park for its natural geysers and scenic beauty.
The last one is new to me 🙂 The others are world famous national parks 🙂
#MyFriendAlexa #vigorousreads
All the parks look good worth a visit definitely.
Thanks for sharing this information
My next visit I’ll make it a point to visit atleast one of these parks.
Loved the pictures and the concise descriptions
A beautiful post. A nice description and good photographs.
Nice post
Well whenever i go i wil perfer these places.
I would sure like to visit the Grand Canyon. You make it sound wonderful. I would also like to visit the Sequoia park just to see the largest tree on earth.
I have heard all expect #3 and #5. The views from the Grand Canyon are amazing, though I have never been. #MyFriendAlexa #ShubhraReads
Thank you for sharing this. #MyFriendAlexa #CloudandSunshineReads
I have never been to USA , but have heard that the parks are very beautiful .. Lovec your post .. Beautifully written
I really hope I can visit the giant Sequoia tree at Yellowstone. All of these parks are so beautiful, though – I wish I could visit all of them!!
Oh i am so envious that u have been there 🙂 Some day sometime I will also visit, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Cheers for the share #wordsmithkaurreads #BlogChatter #MyFriendAlexa
On my to-visit list Sanjota. The write-up is too good to postpone the trip:p
Lovely pics and review. Interested.
Have seen Yellowstone national park and Grand Canyon in Hollywood movies, hope to see these places in person soon! Great post and lovely pictures!!
Thank you 🙂
What an amazing post and even better pictures. Hope one day, I will visit the US and cover these places too 🙂
You are already exploring many places gal 🙂
I have been only to Grand Canyon and absolutely loved the aerial view of it. It was a treat to the eyes. Will visit the rest soon. Yellow stone has been on my list.
Yeah, you can only experience it. Difficult to describe!
My friends living in the States often share pictures of the beautiful national parks. It must be an awesome experience to nature there
They are fun especially in summer 🙂
Wow, these are added to my places to visit for sure! Thanks for the share!
You are welcome!
I was waiting to read about Smoky Mountains park as we visited only that one during our short stay there. Well documented list indeed?
oh, that must have been an amazing trip 🙂
USA tops my list for places to visit before I die. This is quite an elaborate list and will come handy to many travelers.
Ikr, there is a lot to explore here.
I really need to visit Yellowstone!
One of the beautiful park that I have ever seen!
love this ! thanks for sharing these, will add them to the list !
You are welcome.
My extended family living there has shared about these many times, must visit places.
Yup 🙂
I’ve heard of all these national parks. One day, soon, I’ll be able to visit them. ?
Great!
Very well composed and informative list.i will refer to this if I ever visit U.S
Thank you!
Great tips. Would love to visit all the parks as I’m reading this.
All of these national parks sound amazing but Yellowstone is top of my list!
Beautiful destinations, I’ve check all but Yellowstone off my bucket list.
Yellowstone is definitely on my list. Hopefully next year visit is planned #damurureads #myfriendalexa Damuru Creations
Great!
loved your list buddy , will bear in mind 🙂
Grand Canyon forever has been in my wish list! I must plan a visit there. #myepicareads #MyFriendAlexa
I’m sure you will make it by the end of this year 😉
Im so glad you made your top recommendations for visiting all is nearly difficult, when hard pressed for days in hand..such beauties! Would love to visit these.
It was hard to lisdown 5 out of 61..
I have heard about Grand Canyon National Park. I would like to visit all these parks. thanks for sharing this
You are welcome.
Informative post
nice places!! must have been a great experience to explore them!
Yeah 🙂
Very much informative article dear.
this is like US travel bibliophile 🙂
All the pics you have shared are marvelous. Surely makes me want to visit these places one day.
Amazing places ! There is lot to see in this beautiful world…
Yeah!
This work is very insightful. I just to know that Yellowstone is the very first National Park created in the United States in 1972. Amazing!
One of the biggest National park too..
These Places look enticing and the pictures are really wonderful
Thank you 🙂
Craving to visit these beautiful National Parks, hope to be therr soon