Top National Parks to Visit in the USA

By Tessa VG

10. Joshua Tree

Although Joshua Tree doesn't seem like the prettiest place on earth, it really can be. Joshua tree is one of the most amazing places I have ever been to. At night seeing the sun set is just beautiful. Also once it gets dark you can take a midnight hike through the national park. The most beautiful time to do that hike is when there is a full moon. Everybody thinks that it is mainly about the trees only but a main attraction is also climbing rocks. For little kids and adults the rocks are very fun to climb on and hike on. If you ever go there, a fun hike is Barker Dam. If you get lucky you can even see frogs and maybe even touch one. It seems like a long hike but it is really quite short. Just be careful when on the rocks. Make sure to drink lots of water and stay safe. Have fun!

9. Grand Canyon

Yes I know, a well-known park. Not very unusual, but worthy of mention. The Grand Canyon is a very breathtaking place. It is so amazing how the whole canyon was formed by a river. One of the most popular tourist attractions is white water river rafting on the Colorado river. Also a popular hike to do is a Mule Hike. The Mule Hike is where you hike down the Grand Canyon and then a mule brings you back up. There is not much else to do there besides hiking and checking out the visitors center, but still an amazing place to visit. Just be safe and stay away from the edges!

8. Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains is a wonderful national park. It isn't really smoky, but instead it is usually really clear. A fun activity to do there is to go tubing. Although on your own in a little tube, it's still quite fun. It is also a great place to hike at and has many very good hikes with jaw dropping views. One of my favorite hikes is the jump off. You hike up to a steep peak and then hop onto another trail which brings you to a steep cliff which sits up top about 1,000 feet of mountain. Along with the hike comes great pictures and even better views. Hydrate and be safe.

7. Arches

In Utah, Arches is an amazing place to visit. One of my favorite hikes there is called Devil's Bridge. Yeah, it sounds bad, but it is so cool. Its nothing like you think it is. All I can say about it is that once you get there take a lot of pictures on it. Arches also has many other fun hikes but in my opinion that one is the best. Good luck.

6. Zion

Yes, many people know about this place. But it is so under-appreciated and I just love it there. A fun thing to do there is to go on a trail ride with a razor. It is so cool to go back into the hills and mountains and see all God's amazing creation that you otherwise wouldn't see. Another fun hike here is the observation point. Although one of the harder hikes here it has such rewarding views. If you don't like harder hikes, Water Canyon is for you. It also is a cool hike just not as rewarding. Have fun in Utah!

5. Yosemite

Yosemite is such a beautiful place in California. Although it is really tough to get a reservation for, it is so worth it. A fun thing to do there is bring your bikes. You can pretty much bike everywhere. There are shuttles that run in the summer but bikes are really fun to have. Also bring hammocks. They have a ton of great trees there and it is very peaceful just laying in your hammock. An amazing hike to do there is Half Dome Hike. Our camping neighbors did it and explained it to us. What happens is you hike to the top with cables and then get slowly dropped down by a cable off the edge of a steep cliff. I know it's scary! If you're a daredevil, that's the hike for you. Have a great time, and take some pictures for me!

4. Redwoods

A beautiful national park, but it is very underappreciated. Yeah it looks plain, but there are so many interesting facts about the forest itself along with the trees that you would otherwise never know. There are some of the oldest trees that are living there. One of my brother's favorite things to do there is do parkour off the trees. A fun hike to do there is called Fern Canyon. This hike is for you, especially if you are a Jurassic Park fan. Guess what? One of the scenes from Jurassic Park was filmed in Fern Canyon. It is also so beautiful down there. It is a dirt road getting there, but it is totally worth it once you start hiking. Good luck and have fun!

3. Yellowstone

Yellowstone is by far one of the most amazing places on earth. Although it is stinky in some parts, the smell is so worth the view. I'm guessing when you think of Yellowstone you either think of the Old Faithful geyser or that one picture of the colorful hot pools there called the Grand Prismatic spring. But Yellowstone has a whole lot more to offer than what meets the eye. It has amazing views, awesome hikes, cool geysers and even some cool pools that you find in the middle of nowhere. One of the coolest hikes there is called Bunsen peak. It is a hard steep hike up a mountain and requires a lot of effort but the view from up there is irresistible. If you ever go there, that's a must! Just be smart, careful and don't touch the hot water! Enjoy!

2. Grand Tetons

Grand Tetons is, as you can see, my second favorite national park. It is just so unbelievable. Yeah it just looks like another mountain range, but it is so much more than that. It has Beautiful lakes, wildlife, awesome hikes, and more. The Grand Tetons are very hard to climb so if you are up for a challenge, go for it. If not I would do my favorite hike there Phelps Lake Trail. It is just jaw dropping when you see the views. When you get there you will be so happy you took the long drive to get there. It can be chilly there sometimes so bring a jacket. When or if you ever go there, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

1. Glacier

Glacier National park is my all time favorite national park. From cool waterfalls, to glaciers, to beautiful scenery, and so much more. One of the best things to do at glacier park is go on the Piegan Pass. It is the most beautiful thing ever! It is a bit of a longer hike but so worth it. You are just surrounded by glaciers and next to two beautiful waterfalls. If that one is not for you there is an easier one that just circles a lake. If you are going to do Peigan Pass my recommendation is to get a boat ride across the lakes otherwise you add on about 4 miles to your hike. There is just so much more to glaciers than everyone thinks. It is so amazing and I hope you love it too!