August 25th 2016 marked a very special date: the 100th birthday of the US National Parks Service.
While national parks had existed for years prior – Yellowstone was the first national park in the world in 1872 – it wasn’t until 1916 that the National Parks Service was created to protect America’s most beautiful, fragile and historic wilderness.
A century later, the USA is now home to 58 national parks, along with even more national monuments and designated national forest lands. While we’re celebrating the centenary, these parks showcase unique landscapes, flora and fauna that has developed over millions of years.
From the ragged granite Cascade mountains of Washington, to the expansive Alaskan wilderness, to the arid desert of Utah and Florida’s everglades, there’s something for everyone. All visitors to the USA should spend time in at least one national park. You won’t regret it.
I’ve made it to 12 US national parks so far on my travels. Every time I visit I’m reminded of the beauty that exists in the world, and how lucky we are to have organisations that strive to protect and conserve these areas so that we all enjoy them for years to come.
Many thanks to the National Park Service for their wonderful work.
Here’s a look at my journey thus far through America’s national parks. There’s currently a huge west coast bias due to my Pacific Northwest home base, but I hope to change that soon!
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Dense forest, lakes and glaciers abound in the spectacular North Cascades, which happens to be the closest national park to my town, Anacortes. Backcountry hiking, camping and climbing are popular activities, but there are also hundreds of miles of marked trails for hikers of all abilities. The North Cascades is home to many endangered species, such as bald eagles, grizzly bears and gray wolves.
Read about my hike on the Thornton Lakes Trail here.
Diablo Lake, North Cascades National Park.
Olympic National Park, Washington
This park is famous for its incredibly diverse ecosystems. Visitors have the unique opportunity to experience habitats ranging from coastline, to rainforest, to alpine grassland and glaciers – all in a few days. Hike through the Hoh and Quinalt rainforest, stroll Rialto Beach, and spend winters snowshoeing at Hurricane Ridge. There’s also a few hot springs to discover!
Read about my adventure snowshoeing Hurricane Ridge here.
Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite is one of the west coast’s most famous parks, but it does live up to the hype. Plan to spend a few days here, as the most impressive sights are rewarded for those sweating it out on longer hikes. My favourites include the Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point, Mist Falls Trail, and for the more adventurous, Half Dome – including a 400ft vertical ascent along cables to the top. Visitors can also see some of the park’s greatest wonders from the valley floor, including North America’s highest waterfall (Yosemite Falls) and the world’s tallest uninterrupted granite monolith (El Capitan).
Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park.
Sequoia National Park, California
Walk among the giant sequoias here and feel truly dwarfed by nature. Five of the ten largest trees in the world can be found here, including the famous General Sherman. Big trees are matched with big views in this national park: Moro Rock lookout is a fantastic short hike, as is the 4.2 mile trail to Tokopah Waterfalls. We spotted black bears in the park on both days we visited!
Giant trees and views from Moro Rock, Sequoia National Park.
Kings Canyon National Park, California
Bordering Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon features grand sequoia trees, most of which can be found at the Grant Grove area. It’s also home to the deepest canyon in the USA! There are miles of hiking trails, horse riding and camping to be found in this picturesque glaciated valley.
Valleys and trees in Kings Canyon National Park.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
At 1.6 miles deep and up to 18 miles wide, the Grand Canyon is one of the world’s largest canyons. It was actually the first US national park I visited, way back in 2013. This trip was a little more extravagant than my current travel style – we flew by small plane to the canyon from Vegas, took a helicopter flight through the canyon, then hiked down to the Colorado River for a boat ride! However I must say, taking in the views of this iconic American landscape is just as magical from the top viewing areas.
Views from the west rim, Grand Canyon National Park.
Redwood National Park, California
This north Californian beauty boasts the tallest trees on earth, old growth forests and 40 miles of coastline complete with dramatic rocky beaches. Include it as a stop on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip (I did!), or backpack the 16 mile Redwood Creek Trail.
Winding roads through Redwood National Park.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
As the name suggests, the major attraction of this national park is Crater Lake. It’s the deepest lake in America, formed after a huge volcanic eruption about 7,700 years ago. The deep blue water contrasted beautifully with the snowy mountains during our late-May visit. The full 33 mile rim drive can usually only be completed from late June once the snow has melted properly. At other times of the year, it’s yours to explore on snowshoe!
Spectacular Crater Lake National Park.
Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii
Swap Hawaii’s famed warm weather for cooler climes atop dormant volcano Haleakala. Watching a sunrise or sunset from the crater is an awe-inspiring experience, one totally worth my early 2am rise to drive there. Leave time for a hike or two, because how often can you hike within a volcano? This beautiful park extends across eastern side of Maui, offering acres of volcanic landscapes and sub-tropical rainforest to explore.
Sunrise from the top of Mt Haleakala, Maui.
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Glacier Bay National Park covers 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords. I experienced this national park from the icy windswept deck of a cruise ship, and it really was the highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage. We sailed by huge chunks of ice drifting in the bay. We spent time at Margerie and Lamplugh Glaciers, and witnessed some dramatic carvings as ice fractured from the glaciers and fell to the sea with explosive thuds.
Margerie Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park.
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Mountains, ice and ocean meet in the spectacular Kenai Fjords National Park. Ancient ice has have shaped the park’s many fjords, bays and coves and today nearly 40 glaciers flow from the massive Harding Icefield. The area is home to an abundance of wildlife including puffin, otters, seals, sea lions, dall porpoise and humpback whales. I explored by both small boat and kayak, as the only way to really see this remote national park is on the water.
Sea lions enjoying sunshine among the fjords of Kenai.
Denali National Park, Alaska
This park is so much more than its famous mountain, which happens to be the tallest in all of North America. Final Frontier feels abound in its six million acres of wild landscape and alpine tundra. Private vehicles are only allowed on the first 15 miles of the park road, so shuttle bus is the best way to explore. Back country is the name of the game here – with few marked trails in the interior, the emphasis is on self exploration. See a place you like, and walk to it! Just make sure to be bear aware.
Subarctic tundras and Denali mountain.
A goal of mine for the next year is to prioritise visiting more of America’s national parks. This September I’ll be exploring two more, as I’m heading south to the Great Smoky Mountains and Mammoth Caves.
Here’s to happy outdoor exploration and wearing out my hiking boots!
Have you visited some of America’s national parks? What national parks would you recommend? Would love to hear your thoughts!
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