Must See American National Parks

America is gifted with a total of 59 national parks. Some national parks in America are world famous and others don’t get the attention they deserve. Each national park offers something unique, from the desert and canyons that are two billion years old to Glaciers and lush forests.

The national parks scattered across America are so varied and filled with wonders waiting to be uncovered. If you are planning a road trip through America, make sure you include some of the best national parks on your list. Here are nine of the top national parks in the US.

Yellowstone

Let’s begin with Yellowstone, as it was the first national park ever to exist. It was first listed as a national park in 1872. Yellowstone definitely deserves a place on your bucket list, it is a truly spectacular place. It’s filled with jaw dropping natural features and has the largest concentration of mammals in the continental USA. Here you can see animals such as Wolves, Bears, Elk, Bison and Antelope.

The geology in Yellowstone is simply stunning, it has thick forests, rivers, canyons, hot springs and geysers. One of its most famous features is Old Faithful, a large geyser with frequent eruptions. It doesn’t matter whether you are an expert hiker or a novice, you will find a suitable hiking trail in Yellowstone. You don’t need a permit for day hikes but you will if you plan to stay overnight.

Glacier National Park

If you enjoy hiking then this is the park for you. Here you can walk amongst some breathtaking scenery and walk past waterfalls, icebergs and lakes. Some of the best lakes to see include Avalanche Lake, Lake McDonald, and Iceberg Lake.

There are over 700 miles of trails in Glacier National Park and it has a wide range of topography and there is plenty of wildlife to see. Glacier National Park has over 60 native species of mammals and 2,000 plant species. You might even catch a glimpse of a grizzly bear or a Gray Wolf. One of the park’s main attractions is the ‘Going-to-the-sun Road’ which you can see by car or on foot. Grinnell Glacier is also worth a visit.

Waterton Lakes

Waterton Lakes is the only park that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve and International Peace Park. If you want to avoid the more crowded parks then you will appreciate the tranquil atmosphere of Waterton Lakes. Waterton borders Glacier National Park in Montana.

Here you can admire the Rocky Mountains, wander around lakes and appreciate the unusual blend of geology. The climate here is mild and there are some gorgeous rare wild flowers to see. Waterton is ideal for active holidaymakers due to the wide range of activities on offer including biking, horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, skiing, tobogganing and ice climbing.

Grand Teton

Grand Teton National Park is located in northwestern Wyoming. This enormous park spread over 310,000 acres and has over two hundred miles of trails to explore. Grand Teton combines alpine meadows and steep mountains with stunning lakes and glaciers. The best time to visit in in July and August when the snow has melted.

The main sight here is the 13,770 foot Grand Teton, which has a Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor. Some animals you might see in Grand Teton include beavers, grizzly bears, wolves, elk and bison. Grand Teton is ideal for canoeing, cycling and fishing.

Acadia

Acadia National Park is the only park in New England. It covers nearly 50,000 acres and has a lot to offer travellers. It combines coastal beauty with woodland and granite peaks. Acadia has a wide range of hiking trails to suit different abilities and an abundance of adrenaline fuelled activities. You can go rock climbing, horseback riding and hiking through challenging terrain.

Acadia is one of the most visited parks in North America and is well known for its rugged shoreline. There are also some beautiful scenic driving routes to try out in and around the national park.

Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay is a World Heritage Site covering 3.3 million acres. Wander through lush rainforests, walk past glaciers and tackle the rugged mountains in Glacier Bay National Park.

Glacier Bay is ideal for those travellers who appreciate marine wildlife, here you can see the endangered Humpback Whale as well as Seals, Sea Otters and Orcas. The park is also home to land animals such as brown and black bears, Wolves, Mountain Goats and Deer.

The Everglades

The Everglades are the perfect escape from the busy theme parks in Florida. A lot of people visit for the big attractions and don’t even realise what the Everglades have to offer. They make up the largest subtropical wilderness in America.

The Everglades is home to an abundance of fascinating wildlife, including 36 endangered species. Animals you can see here include Crocodiles, Manatees, Panthers, Snakes, Dolphins and Racoons. This national park is also home to 350 species of birds, 120 different types of tree and 200 species of fish.

The Everglades national park might not look all that at first glance, but if you look deeper you will discover its’ hidden treasures. The Everglades has a wide