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Us national parks .. endless ways to get pleaser

With incredible diversity and a near-endless supply of things to see and do, US parks and national parks continue to pull in huge numbers of visitors. The latest figures show that there were 237 million visits to these stunning locations in 2020.

 Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The first thing you should know about the Great Smoky Mountains is that it is the nation’s busiest national park with more than 11 million visitors every year. It covers 800 square miles of mountainous terrain that spans across eastern Tennessee and crosses the border into North Carolina. The Smoky Mountains, as locals lovingly call them, are home to some of the world’s most stunning deciduous forests along with historic churches, cabins, and barns from bygone Appalachian communities.

With 150 official trails throughout the park and countless miles of backcountry, it’s surprising that relatively few visitors actually get out of their cars and hike, opting to enjoy the views from inside their vehicles. But this designated international biosphere reserve is home to an incomparable variety of plants and animals and is worth more than just passing through.

Yellowstone National Park

Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park, located mostly in Wyoming and partly in Montana and Idaho, is America’s very first national park. Sitting on top of an active volcano, this park is home to thousands of hydrothermal features, hundreds of geysers and waterfalls, deep rust-colored canyons, and wildlife that often spills out of the pine forests and verdant grasslands and onto the road—bison often cause traffic jams to the delight of millions of annual visitors. Keep reading to learn about how to get to the park as well as what to do and see once you arrive.

 Zion National Park

It’s difficult for not to sound biased when describing this national park. But Zion is just one of the favorites in the country. Located in Utah’s high plateau county, the Virgin River has carved a gorge so deep that sunlight rarely reaches the bottom! The canyon is wide and completely stunning with sheer cliffs dropping some 3,000 feet. Weathered sandstone shines red and white, and creates amazing sculptured rocks, cliffs, peaks, and hanging valleys. Whether you hit the remote trails in the backcountry or stick to the park’s major attractions, your experience at Zion will be anything but typical.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Alpenglow kisses Hallet Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado has more national parks than just about any other state, and leading the fame is stunning Rocky Mountain National Park.

This park, located in northern Colorado just outside the popular tourist town of Estes Park, is one of the highest-altitude national parks and home to 60 different peaks. This means incredible hiking, camping, and views.

Rocky Mountain National Park is open year-round, but summer is the busiest time to visit. (Some travelers are wary of the mountain roads in the winter, and some higher roads do shut down seasonally.)

Before you head to the park, prepare yourself for the high altitude. One road, Trail Ridge Road, tops 12,000 feet above sea level, which can floor even locals. Go slowly and pace yourself, stay hydrated and pay attention to your body. Make sure you know the signs of altitude sickness; nothing can ruin a trip quicker than a pounding headache.

Before doing anything, we recommend popping by the visitor center to collect important info about road and trail closures, wildlife sightings (for better or for worse) and that day’s ranger-led programs. Then buy your park pass and enjoy the adventure.

Grand Teton National Park

Established in 1929 as a National Park by President Calvin Coolidge, Grand Teton sprawls across 96,000 acres—it includes the spiky, towering Tetons, six glacial lakes, the flowing Snake River, and the sweeping valley below. The park gets its name from the French trappers who came through the region in the early 19th century, while the earliest evidence of indigenous peoples in the area dates back more than 10,000 years, and the park is located on Shoshone, Blackfoot, Bannock, Gros Ventre, Flathead, and Nez Perce land.

Astoundingly, the Tetons themselves have been around for as long as 10 million years, by some estimates. And today, millions of visitors come here every year to take advantage of the natural splendor that’s inspired people for centuries.

One of the best things about Grand Teton is how accessible it is, and how easily you can customize your experience according to your version of outdoorsy fun. You can hike to backcountry lakes, float the Snake, watch for wildlife from your car, climb “the Grand” (the highest peak in the park, at 13,775 feet), picnic in peaceful alpine meadows, and go on a boat cruise or guided fishing trip—truly, there are trails and activities for all skill levels and preferences here.

The visitor centers are Craig Thomas, Jenny Lake, Laurence S. Rockefeller, and Colter Bay. Not all the centers stay open throughout the entire year (see here for a list of hours and closures). While the park does welcome visitors on a year-round basis, and there are outdoor activities to enjoy no matter the season, the shift from summer to winter is striking.

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