6 NATIONAL PARKS FOR EVERY ADVENTURER
By Bailey Williams
Do you wonder what it’s like to walk among ancient sequoias? Have you imagined yourself stargazing in a sprawling desert? No matter your travel dreams, a trip to the country’s unforgettable national parks will make them real as you awaken your adventurous side.
Across America, there are 63 national parks protected by the U.S. National Park Service. These reservations are home to many wonderous landscapes and thriving wildlife. From gorgeous coastlines to soaring mountains and everywhere in between, discover your next national park vacation.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
What national park could be more iconic than the first ever? Within Yellowstone National Park’s 2.2 million acres is one of the largest active volcano systems, making the area a hydrothermal hot spot (no pun intended).
About half of the world’s active geysers are located at Yellowstone — including the infamous Old Faithful Geyser — plus hot springs, mud spots, and fumaroles you can admire while trekking on its trails. Whether you’re exploring this park by hike, bike, or boat, be sure to check out some of its classic sights, like Canyon Village and the Grand Prismatic Spring.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
One visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is all it will take to understand why it is the most visited national park in America. Prepare to fall in love with the community life and rich indigenous history at Cades Cove or unbelievable views from Tennessee’s tallest point, Kuwohi (formerly named Clingmans Dome).
You may even be able to spot some of the park’s diverse wildlife, including black bears, elk, and other animals that call these ancient mountains home.
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
A visit to Yosemite National Park is a breathtaking experience that's totally worth a day trip (or two). Think thundering waterfalls, giant sequoia trees, and massive granite cliffs — most famously, Half Dome.
Apply for a permit to climb it or drive to Tunnel View to get a gorgeous look at it. Yosemite National Park is also home to many species of marine and avian life, making it an optimal location for birdwatching and fishing.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
No athletic competitions here, just nearly 1 million acres of wilderness and wow-worthy attractions. Olympic National Park spans three different ecosystems: rainforests, coastlines, and glacier-capped summits. Needless to say, the opportunities for adventure are abundant.
Take in scenic views as you scale the majestic Olympic Mountains, watch the sunset from the dramatic rocks of Rialto Beach, or experience a magical hike in Hoh Rainforest, a mossy green wonderland straight out of a fairytale.
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
One of the world’s most epic canyons awaits at Grand Canyon National Park. Walk around the edge on the Canyon Rim Trail, hike into the canyon itself, or raft down the Colorado River to experience the Grand Canyon in a whole new way.
In addition to protecting one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Grand Canyon National Park is also steeped in human history with archeological sites that preserve ancient structures, artifacts, and stories left behind by those who inhabited and explored the area thousands of years ago.
CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
As a reservation made up of five islands, it’s no wonder the Channel Islands National Park is known as the “Galapagos of North America”. Each of these California islands — Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara — offer unique and refreshing ways to escape in nature.
Santa Rosa Island boasts secluded white-sand beaches. Santa Barbara, Anacapa, and San Miguel provide the best views of the islands’ wildflowers in peak bloom. And Santa Cruz is one of many tidepool sites where you can observe beautiful marine species. Speaking of observing marine species, if you're traveling in the summer, look out for humpback whales as they migrate north.