Photo By bertdennisonphotography

Yosemite National Park is the crown jewel of the state of California’s natural wonders. Created in 1890, it is the third oldest national park in America, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With it’s towering rock cliffs, abundant wildlife and wilderness activities for all ages, this park is something everyone should see at least once in their lives.

Olympic National Park

Photo By SanyamStudio

Washington State’s Olympic National Park along with being a World Heritage Site, is also designated an international biosphere reserve due to its unique features. Within the park resides everything from coastal beaches on the pacific ocean, temperate rainforest’s that receive more rain than anywhere else in America, all the way up to glacier capped mountains rising over 10,000 feet. With hundreds of miles of trails, an abundance of wildlife, and camping locations scattered throughout the park, you would be hard pressed to not find something to interest you here.

Yellowstone National Park

Photo By dominiq

Created in 1872, Yellowstone is the very first national park in not just America, but the entire world. The park is home to some of the most amazing geological features in the United States with its geysers, hot springs and canyons. It is also home to one of the best wildlife preserves in all of North America. With over 60 species of mammals it is the last good example of North America’s mega-fauna in their natural habitat.

Everglades National Park

Photo By ruben i

This subtropical wilderness is the largest marshland in the United States. And is without a doubt the most in danger of this countries national parks. From encroaching development and pollution, to invasive species, water diversion, and hurricanes, this park has seen it all. Yet it still remains, and is an amazing sight to see for those brave enough to mingle with everything from alligators and pythons, to panthers and a plethora of bugs.

Mount Rainier National Park

Photo By Alaskan Dude

Mount Rainier National Park contains the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. Capped with dozens of glaciers, it rises 14,411 ft into the sky. And is especially breathtaking for the fact that its base is at an elevation of less than 1,500ft making it seem even taller. With such a large change in elevation within the park comes many different things to do and see. From hiking and camping, to photography and wildflower and wildlife watching, it is a nature lovers paradise. And also a risk takers dream come true. With more glaciers than the rest of the lower 48 states combined, and the tallest mountain, Rainier has become a one stop destination for mountaineering.

Denali National Park

Photo By Unhindered by Talent

Denali National Park is home to Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in all of North America. It is so large that it takes up over 30% of the entire park, which is close to 10,000 square miles in size. It is so remote, that it only has one road, and even then, most of it is not paved. Other than the bus tours that take you down this road, you need to be in extremely good shape to really see all this park has to offer. As almost all of the park is only accessible by hiking dozens of miles into it.

Arches National Park

Photo By Ran Z

As it’s name suggests, Arches National Park is filled with naturally formed sandstone arches. Over 2,000 of them to be precise. Located in Utah, this park is home to so many rock formations that it would take you months, if not years to see them all.

Glacier National Park

Photo by Ken Thomas

Unfortunatly this parks name will no longer suit it in the not too distant future. Glacier National Park in Montana was once home to some of the largest and most stunning Glaciers in the lower 48 states. But over the last century has seen the majority of them drastically shrink, or fully vanish into history. Even so, this park is a definite must see for those wanting to get in touch with nature. From its mountains, lakes and wildlife, any backpacker or hiker will fall in love with this place.

Grand Canyon National Park

Photo By Wolfgang Staudt

Everyone’s heard of it, millions have seen it, very few people though know just how amazing it really is. The Grand Canyon is over 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, over 6,000 feet deep, and shows over two billion years of the earths history in it. It is by far the most stunning visual presentation of geology in all of the country, and is something none should miss out on seeing at least once.

Sequoia National Park

Photo By Miguel Vieira

Sequoia National Park is home to some of tallest, and largest volume trees on the planet. The “Giant Forest” Inside the park contains five of the ten largest trees. With the prime specimen being General Sherman at 275 feet tall, and with a 102.6 foot circumference. The park is also home to hundreds of caves,  many species of wildlife, and it’s trademark trees that you can literally drive through.

By Mark Johnson