7 National & State Parks In The United States You Have To Visit
There are 63 national parks and 9,817 state parks throughout the United States; state parks alone stretch across 20,142,089 acres, according to the National Association of State Park Directors. The National Park Service manages 433 units, including national monuments, national historic sites, national battlefields, and, of course, the big national parks. These areas cover more than 85 million acres.
The oldest national park is Yellowstone, which was established in 1872. The newest is New River Gorge, redesignated as a national park in West Virginia in 2020. Hundreds of millions of people visit national and state parks every year. If you wanted to visit all of them, you would need a couple of years to your disposal.
While you work on making enough time to get through all of them, here are the ones you should visit first.
Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is an experience you can have nowhere else. It is the location of Hyperion, the world's tallest tree. It is also where you will find several awe-inspiring and extraordinary redwood groves.
The park lies south of the Oregon border and hugs the northern California coast. It is often mentioned alongside three California state parks: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
As such, when you visit, you are actually visiting Redwood National and State Parks in one.
The trees are why most people choose Redwood above other parks. The Stout Memorial Grove, situated in the Jedediah Smith section, features a short, easy-to-navigate trail that leads to the Smith River. The Lady Bird Johnson Grove is located within Redwood itself, and at 1.5 miles, the trail here is also short enough for an easy walk.
Tall Trees Grove is also located in Redwood, but it is not as easily accessible. You have to apply online for a free permit. If you get one, you have a long drive ahead of you that includes a gate, an unpaved road, and a significant elevation change. But the experience of walking among those massive Redwoods is more than worth the effort.
Other must-have experiences include hiking the Fern Canyon Trail. The setting here was the filming location for the movie "The Lost World." There are more than seven species of ferns here, hence the name.
You can also take the Trillium Falls hike to a small waterfall nestled in the forest. Meanwhile, the Coastal Trail includes a 3.5-mile trek between the Crescent Beach picnic area and what the National Park Service calls "a pleasant stretch of beach, perfect for beachcombing or an extended walk." You may encounter Roosevelt elk as you enjoy the gorgeous ocean views.
There is much more to see and do, so you'll need several days to take it all in. This includes whale watching from Klamath River Overlook and exploring the tidepools at Enderts Beach.
Iao Valley State Park
If you prefer tropical beaches, Hawaii may be an automatic choice. You will also find a stunning state park here, located in the West Maui Mountains. Iao Valley State Park spans 4,000 acres and is renowned for its cliffs, rainforest, and the 1,200-foot Iao Needle.
Iao Valley is the site where King Kamehameha I fought during the fierce Battle of Kepaniwai in 1790, in an effort to unify the Hawaiian Islands. This means the valley in which the state park lies is considered sacred ground.
Aside from the imposing Iao Needle, which is a natural rock formation, the park is home to the Iao Stream and Kepaniwai Park. It is essential to note if and when hiking trails are closed. If they are, and you wish to hike as part of your visit, you can also consider the nearby Waihee Ridge trail in Maui.
The park is quite a short visit if you are only looking to visit the main attractions. You can extend your time here by bringing a picnic basket and a pair of binoculars to watch the colorful birds swooping about.
Please note that a reservation is required to visit the park if you are not a Hawaii resident. The reservation should include the date and the time you want to visit.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is on many travelers' bucket lists, and rightly so. It is significantly more crowded than some other national parks, attracting an average of 2 million visitors each year. The bulk of these visitors flock to the park during the summer, so if you want to avoid large crowds, consider visiting on a weekday.
The park is situated in western Washington state, and its dominant feature, Mount Rainier, is the highest peak in the Cascade Range at 14,411 feet. The park was established in 1899. While there have been signs of minor eruptive activity in the last 150 years, the Smithsonian Institution notes that the last major eruption likely occurred in the 15th century.
Many visitors prefer to hike as soon as they arrive at Mount Rainier, often taking the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail as their first destination. The trail winds its way along Sourdough Ridge to Frozen Lake. Frozen Lake is about halfway before the trail ascends to the lookout. The views from the end of the trail are some of the best in the park. You will see the volcano in all its glory, getting a real perspective of its sheer size.
Mount Rainier has the most glaciers in the lower 48 states, and there is also a grove of ancient trees to see at the Grove of the Patriarchs. These trees include Douglas firs, western hemlocks, and red cedars.
The park is 97% pure wilderness, which means you can truly get lost in nature here. If what you need is to unplug and unwind, this is the perfect place to do it.
Letchworth State Park
New York State boasts more than 200 state parks, with Letchworth State Park being one of the most popular. Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth State Park spans about 14,400 acres. The park is 17 miles in length and 1.5 miles in width, situated along the Genesee River. The Genesee Gorge, waterfalls, and surrounding forest create an incredibly beautiful scene that you must see in person.
There are three waterfalls to explore along the gorge, namely Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls. There is a Visitor Centre where staff will provide you with a map to help you navigate the park. You can reach all three waterfalls via the Gorge Trail. By the Upper Falls, there is a functioning trestle bridge, the Railroad Trestle Bridge, so you may even spot a train chugging by. At the Lower Falls, a footbridge awaits that leads to the other side of the gorge.
Other activities to consider include hot air ballooning, white water rafting, and walking to Mt. Morris Dam. The dam is quite a spectacle when full. Remember to keep an eye out for wildlife and maintain a wide berth if you encounter any bears. Some visitors have reported bears (although it's not common) and deer around the Gorge Trail.
Yosemite National Park
No documentary or laptop wallpaper can do justice to the splendor of Yosemite National Park. More than 4 million people visit the park every year to experience 95% of the glorious California wilderness.
Yosemite was designated a national park in 1890, though federal protection began earlier via the 1864 Yosemite Grant as one of the first lands set aside for public recreation. The park offers hiking trails and views that rival those of no other national park. Its 750,000 acres are home to the planet's tallest granite monolith, El Capitan. It is also the location of the world famous Yosemite Falls. As a bonus, there are giant Sequoia trees estimated to be over 3,000 years old.
You can visit the park throughout the year, but most visitors tend to arrive during the summer. Hiking season typically starts in the spring, although the exact date varies due to unpredictable snowfall. You will have to book a pass on Yosemite's website if you don't want to enter before 6 a.m.
To see the Yosemite Firefall, it's best to book your trip for February. Generally speaking, if you want to make the most of your time in the park, prepare to stay for at least two to three days.
You can go on a hiking or biking tour, starting with Yosemite Valley, which includes a stop at Tunnel View. You can also drive to Glacier Point for breathtaking views of Half Dome. If you get a permit in time, you can go on an overnight hike on the Half Dome Trail.
You can also hike to Tuolumne Meadows, the largest sub-alpine meadow in the High Sierra region. The meadow typically opens in May and features impossibly blue lakes and incredible flower fields.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Utah's Kodachrome Basin State Park may be small, but it is one of the state's most notable attractions. The park, located 5,800 feet above sea level in Cannonville, boasts many features that will keep you coming back for more. The Panorama Trail, which can be a loop or out-and-back option, takes you to Panorama Point off one of the trail extensions.
The Angels Palace Trail is a good option for viewing the park basin from above. The Grand Parade Trail does not ascend but stays on the valley floor. You also rent a mountain bike to explore the Grand Parade and Panorama Trails.
There are several monolithic stone spires to see, totaling 67. Some of the most dramatic spires, or pipes, include the Mammoth Spire and the Ballerina Spire. Chimney Rock is also worth driving to.
Kodachrome Basin is popular with families, since it also offers a 3D target archery course, a disc golf course, and trails. There is ample space for camping, with two campgrounds open year-round. Even better, the park is a designated International Dark Sky Park. When the weather is clear, you can enjoy astonishing views of the Milky Way.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is arguably the most well-known park in America. The park is located in the northwest region of Wyoming, with some parts extending into Idaho and Montana. Established in 1872, it became the nation's first national park. It is widely accepted that Yellowstone was also the first national park in the world.
There are 500 active geysers throughout the park and more than 10,000 hydrothermal features. It is the only place in America where bison have continuously inhabited the land since prehistoric times. It is home to the world's largest log cabin (Old Faithful Inn) and is also a haven for grizzly bears. Yellowstone even has its own 'Grand Canyon.'
Yellowstone Lake is ideal for boating and fishing, and there are more than 1,000 miles of trails to explore. Keep an eye out for wolves as they roam throughout the park.
Some of the must-see geysers include Old Faithful and the Imperial Geyser. The park features Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls, as well as Mammoth Hot Springs near the northern entrance. You can take a wildlife tour that goes through the Lamar Valley. Here, you can spot bison, eagles, and elk.
Yellowstone can become extremely busy, with over 4 million visitors annually. To avoid massive crowds, consider planning your trip during the shoulder season. Also, remember to book your accommodation months in advance, even if it is just a campsite.
Find the Spirit of Adventure in America’s National and State Parks
America’s national and state parks tell the story of nature’s power and wonder. You will find the spirit of adventure in each one as you slow down to explore what they have to offer. The only question that remains is not whether you will book a trip to one of these parks, but where you want to start your adventure.
