US National Parks
Why the National Parks?
The Great Outdoors. What says adventure more than a road trip to a National Park? Though not all as big as Denali, every US state and territory has at least one National Park, Monument, Historic Park or Site, or Scenic Trail running through it, meaning there's likely a National park site in your back yard.
Legacy. Yellowstone, the first national park in the world, was created to preserve a unique environment "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people". That spirit lives on today - and because most of the park land is public, they belong to the people and are yours to explore!
Adventures
Yellowstone
The world's original national park. Most people visit Yellowstone for the wildlife and geothermal activity, both of which you're able to see without straying far from your car. Crowds can be a problem, but if you time it right you won't have much issue even at the busiest spots. And if you want to get further away from the masses, there are plenty of options to stretch your legs on a day hike. Visiting in winter means fewer people, snow safaris, and roads open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Death Valley
If the mention of Death Valley makes you think of a cartoon cow skull in the sand, you'll be surprised with the varying landscapes and amount of life that exists here. There are mountains and canyons, salt flats and open desert. There are also plants, birds, lizards, and even some mammals. And then you - sometimes the only human for miles. With these landscapes and the solitude, you'll feel like you're on another planet. Bring lots of water because Death Valley gets HOT!!
Olympic
Covering the majority of Washington's Olympic Peninsula, and only a couple of hours away from Seattle, this park is both one of the best and my personal favorite. No other National park can match the varied terrain you'll enjoy here - from mountain peaks and lush rain forest to sandy beaches and pristine alpine lakes. Each of these environments would be park-worthy on its own...but put them all together, throw in some elk, black bears, orcas, and eagles and you've got Olympic National Park.
"The mountains are calling and I must go."
-John Muir
National Park Travel Information
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Annual Visitors: ~300 million on average
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Most Visited NP: Great Smokey Mountains
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Least Visited: Gates of the Arctic
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Most unique experience: seeing the northern lights in Denali
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National Parks: 63 national parks, only part of the 423 national park sites
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Most unique place: Grand Prismatic Spring (Yellowstone)
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Most unique animals: bald eagle, bison