Top Five National Parks in the United States
Many people each year choose to visit one or more of the wonderful National Parks of the United States of America. There are plenty to choose from. The National Park Service and their employees do a fantastic job of protecting and preserving these areas of natural beauty and importance and keeping them accessible for our enjoyment. Each year, they publish a list of the most visited parks. People have voted with their feet – will you join them to find out why so many people go to these places? Here are the top three (by visitor numbers) in the country:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
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This spectacular region is an international biosphere reserve and world heritage site. Due to its beautiful scenery and its proximity to urban centres it was the most visited national park in 2014, with over nine million visitors each year. Yet it is really easy to escape from the fast-paced urban whirl and get away from it all on the parks 800 miles of trail. Over ten thousand species of plant and animal life have been found in the park, so this is the perfect place to come to see a wide variety of wildlife. This National Park is found in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. It covers an area of 521,490.13 acres. The nearest major airport is McGhee-Tyson Airport (TYS) in Tennessee. There is also a regional airport in Asheville, North Carolina.
Grand Canyon National Park:
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The Grand Canyon is, without a doubt, one of the great wonders of the world. This is one of the few places on earth that truly lives up to the hype. This huge gorge carved by the Colorado river is spectacular to view, which you can do from either the North or South Rim. But it can be even more awe-inspiring if you get the chance to explore beyond the rim and venture down and in to the unique ecosystem. You can get to the Grand Canyon National Park by driving, or you can take a tour from one of the nearest cities. Phoenix and Las Vegas are the closest major cities, and Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon Village are the centre of much of the tourist infrastructure that has grown up around the busier South Rim. The North Rim is also accessible by car except when passes are closed due to winter weather. It is much quieter and more natural in feel than the crowded South Rim and the views from both are equally spectacular.
Grand Canyon National Park:
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Another well-known National Park, and an integral part of the early National Parks movement, Yosemite is a stunning natural playground, beloved of hikers and rock climbers. Arriving in Yosemite valley, you could be forgiven for feeling as though you have stumbled into a different world as the huge rocky faces of El Capital, the Half Dome and the Sentinel loom dramatically over you as you follow the course of the river winding at their feet through the pine woods. With a huge backcountry to explore, Yosemite is perfect for hiking and wilderness camping experiences in California. Though most people only spend time in the seven mile stretch of valley, Yosemite stretches all the way to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains. To get the most out of your visit and truly see the wild wonder of this National Park, you should get off the beaten track a little. This park is around 4-5 hours drive from San Francisco and the Bay area and around 4 hours from Sacramento.
Yellowstone National Park:
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Yellowstone National Park was the first National Park to be created anywhere in the world. It was signed into law by President Ulysses Grant in 1872. This area, located in Wyoming and spilling over a little into Montana and Idaho, is internationally known for its geothermal features, (including one of Yellowstone's main draws, 'Old faithful' geyser, unique ecosystems and wildlife. This area has been inhabited by Native Americans for at least 11,000 years and the park also has a number of fascinating historic buildings and archaeological artefacts have been found there. Beneath Yellowstone National Park lies a ticking time-bomb. The Yellowstone Caldera is the largest supervolcano in North America and it is still an active volcano. Scientists believe that an eruption could still happen at any time. Scientists are monitoring it constantly for any signs that an eruption is imminent. The park is accessible by bus from all directions, and there are a number of airports surrounding the park too.
Rocky Mountain National Park:
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Covering the Rocky Mountains in the state of Colorado, this national park covers an area of 265,761 acres. The park is interesting in lying, as Yellowstone does, across the Continental divide. The eastern and western portions of the park have very different scenery and characters. To the west, there are wet, dense, lush forests, whereas the east is characterised by drier climatic conditions and high, glaciated peaks. There are many picturesque lakes and streams throughout the park, and 72 named peaks higher than 3,700m. Over a quarter of the park is above the tree-line. People come here to enjoy hiking and other recreation in the mountains and to see the varied wildlife. The hike to the highest summit, Longs Peak, is a popular walk and Bear Lake is a popular trail head and destination within the park.
All these parks are unmissable locations that everyone should visit at least once during their lifetime. We should rejoice that these areas are under protection and will be preserved not just for the sake of the wildlife and the planet but also for the enjoyment and delight of future generations. If you do visit one of these parks, remember to do your part to keep them as unspoiled and pristine as they are when you arrive. Leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photographs. These are some of the truly great holiday destinations in the world, and we must take care of them.
Content Courtesy www.traveleze.co.uk
