Founded in 1916, the National Park Service now runs 393 national parks in 49 states plus American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The 84 million acres of national parks are home to some of the United States' most remarkable natural wonders, from the massive Grand Canyon to the geysers of Yellowstone. To help decide which of the many national parks to visit, consider location and desired activities to narrow it down.
Located on the coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is often considered one of the most beautiful national parks in the American Northeast. Open year-round, Acadia offers visitors hiking, camping, and sweeping views of the ocean. A unique activity is to take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the 45-mile carriage road system.
Arguably Alaska's most well-known national park, Denali is open year-round but is at the mercy of the weather. In cases of bad snow visitors can go three miles into the park. The only road that runs through the park is serviced by shuttle buses. Adventurous outdoors men and women can hike and camp off the trail to experience true solitude.
The tenth national park created in the United States, Glacier National Park attracts approximately two million visitors per year. Activities at this Montana park include hiking the 700-plus miles of trails, camping, skiing, swimming, boat cruises, and horseback riding. However the facilities are enjoyed, it's nearly impossible to miss the 50 spectacular glaciers that the park is named after.
Perhaps the single most famous national park in the United States, the Grand Canyon in Arizona was carved out by the Cambrian seas over 500 million years ago. What remains today is a canyon that is over a vertical mile deep and up to 18 miles wide, complete with impressive views and challenging hiking trails. While hiking is the most popular activity, permits for river trips are also available.
Although the National Mall may be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, few people realize it is a national park. The center of the nation's capital, Washington, DC's National Mall was made a national park in 1965. This includes the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, all of which are free to visit.
Also known as the Painted Desert, Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park boasts one of the world's biggest natural collections of petrified wood. Nature, volcanic ash, and time turned these formerly coniferous, fern, and gingko tree stumps into striated, multicolored quartz. Today approximately 600,000 people visit the park to hike and camp.
Home to the world's largest trees, Redwood National Park is host to an ancient ecosystem. Spanning from Northern California to Southern Oregon, the park offers scenic drives, whale watching, hiking, and more. The Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101, is one of the most well-known parts of the park with some of the largest trees.
The Colorado Rockies have had songs written about them and movies filmed on them. With over 60 peaks that reach about 12,000 feet, plus glaciers, alpine tundra, and forests, it's easy to see why. The park is open year-round, but summer is the most popular time for hikers, campers, and visitors to resort communities within the park.
With 500 miles of hiking trails, 101 of which are part of the Appalachian trail, Shenendoah is one of the most well-known national parks on the East coast. Visitors can hike, camp, horseback ride, swim, fish, kayak, and more. Free, ranger-led walks and hikes are a popular way to see the park in spring, summer, and fall.
America's first national park, Yellowstone was established in 1872. Home to one of the world's most impressive collections of geysers and hot springs, Yellowstone is situated in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Old Faithful is probably the most famous geyser in the world and still springs up at regularly scheduled intervals.
