We often spend so much time daydreaming about exciting, far-off places and fantastical trips that we tend to forget about the many incredible places much closer to home. Some of the world’s most beautiful locations are right here in America, and summer provides the perfect opportunity to get out there and experience the U.S. National Parks. This summer in particular is special, as it marks the 100th anniversary of the U.S. National Parks Service. What better excuse is there to finally go check some of those parks off of your bucket list?
I love traveling to cities and exploring big urban locations, but there is just something so special about being away from the lights, sounds, and pollution of cities. The National Parks are so pristine, well cared for, and awe-inspiring; it is rejuvenating just to spend time within one of the parks. The clean air clears your mind, and the stunning views renew your respect for nature and for our planet. I have been fortunate to visit a few National Parks, and they are some of the most peaceful places I have ever experienced. No matter who you are or where you are from, everyone can benefit from a trip to a National Park.
I am a bit biased toward the parks I have been to, but for good reason. These four National Parks are beautiful beyond words, and my time in each one reminded me of just how small I am and of how much of the world there is still out there for me to see. The parks also serve as an almost unintentional PSA to protect the environment and do your part to decrease climate change. If climate change doesn’t slow down, many of these parks could be gone fairly soon, which would be a travesty on a number of levels. There are many reasons why I loved the parks I went to, along with many other parks that I still hope to get to soon. Here’s why I love some of the parks I’ve been to:
Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)
Bryce is one of my favorite places I have ever been to. It is unlike any other place in the world, and it is hard to believe that it is a natural formation. Hiking down into the canyon is beyond amazing, and I genuinely never wanted to leave. Tip: As hard as it might be to wake up extremely early (see: 4 A.M.), it is totally worth it when it means you get to see the sun rise over the canyon. The colors don’t seem real, and it feels like you are in another world. Watching the sunrise in Bryce is one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had while traveling.
Zion National Park (Utah)
The sheer size of Zion is unbelievable. This was the first National Park I was ever fortunate enough to visit, and I was not disappointed. The hiking is amazing, and around every bend in the path you never know what you might find. Tip: if you visit Zion in the summer go as early in the day as you can, as the temperature can get pretty hot.
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
Everyone should make it a point to get to the Grand Canyon at some point in their lives. I have never felt so awed and dwarfed as I did standing at the edge of the canyon. Tip: the North Rim tends to be much less crowded and less touristy than the South Rim and is open over the summer. If you decide to go to the North Rim, make sure to plan your trip far enough in advance to be able to stay at the one hotel that is right on the rim.
Haleakala National Park (Maui, Hawaii)
I was lucky to visit Hawaii this past December, and one of my standout memories from the trip was driving up the dormant volcano Haleakala at 3:30 in the morning to watch the sunrise from 10,000 feet above sea level. The sunrise was amazing, and the park itself is incredible: when hiking it feels like you are actually walking on the moon. This park is an absolute must-see if you can get there. Tip: if you go early to watch the sunrise, bring warm clothes. My family and I made the mistake of not bringing hats and we were freezing (but it was completely worth it, of course). Yes, it’s Hawaii, but trust me: you need a down jacket.
While these four parks are incredible and I highly recommend visiting each of them at some point in your life, there are still so many parks I have yet to experience – including some much closer to home. Of the 58 U.S. National Parks, there are definitely some that stand out as must-visits on my travel list:
Acadia National Park (Maine)
This one is a little closer to home and therefore definitely feasible to visit sooner rather than later. Acadia’s famous rugged coastline is perfect for exploring, hiking, and biking, and the nearby towns are fun and family-friendly.
Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, but crosses three state lines)
Of course the country’s first National Park is on my must-see list. Yellowstone is filled with extraordinary wildlife and thermal activity, and I can’t wait to eventually explore all that the giant park has to offer.
Denali National Park & Reserve (Alaska)
I have seen the mountain and the outskirts of the park from a train, but ever since then I have dreamed of returning to Alaska and exploring the park. Alaska in ridiculously beautiful, and Denali (along with the many other National Parks in the state) is one of the top places I want to travel to at some point.
Yosemite National Park (California)
Yosemite is where the modern conservation movement was born, to no surprise: the park is filled with incredible natural beauty that cannot be found anywhere else. There is so much adventure to be found in this park, as there are so many different terrains: everything from valleys, to mountains, to untouched wilderness.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii)
When in Hawaii I did not make it to the “Big Island,” where the majority of the active volcanoes in the state are. It has always been a dream of mine to see the active volcanoes and witness their awe-inspiring activity, so hopefully I will one day make it to this National Park.
This summer is the ideal time to go visit a National Park and celebrate the 100th birthday of the U.S. National Park Service. There is so much beauty in this country to be explored. So what are you waiting for?
