The Most Iconic National Parks You Have to Visit
The Most Iconic National Parks You Have to Visit
If you are visiting national parks, you absolutely must visit this list of the most iconic National Parks in the US.
There are so many national parks out there, but some of them have iconic sites that you don’t want to miss! These are the photos you usually see when you hear about the national park system, so why not see them for yourself! Here are the most iconic national parks you have to visit.
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake was created when a volcano erupted, collapsed on itself, and created a caldera in the Cascade Mountains. It ended up making one of the most unique national parks as a result!
Gateway Arch National Park
With two million visitors every year, the Gateway Arch is one of the newer national parks. You’ll find this park in Missouri and near the Gateway Arch museum. The arch has been a defining feature of the St. Louis skyline for years, and while it doesn’t feel like a traditional national park; it’s undoubtedly iconic!
Glacier National Park
There are 25 active glaciers in this park, which stretches into Canada! This is one of the few places you can still see glaciers in the United States.
Grand Canyon National Park
If national parks had a contest, I think this one would win on popularity alone! Many people don’t realize this is a national park!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
No one takes the first prize when it comes to visitation, quite like the Great Smoky Mountains. With over 12.5 million visitors each year, you’ll find attractions and cities nearby to explore and views of the mountains, unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is the backdrop of the Seattle skyline! With so many hiking options, the main attraction here is Mount Rainier sitting at 14,410 feet tall.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
The Giant Forest is located inside this national park. It is home to half of the planet’s longest-living trees to date and has trees that are upwards of 300 feet tall! The sheer size of these trees is worth visiting along, and it’s worth the visit for that alone.
Yellowstone
Yellowstone is a beautiful national park and one of the best views you can get from a car! There are so many attractions here from Castle Geyser, Yellowstone Lake, to the largest hot spring Grand Prismatic Spring in all of the United States.
Yosemite
This national park has it all! You’ll find music festivals and art trails, the largest slab of granite in the world, and that doesn’t even count the tallest waterfall in North America! There are so many different things to see at this park that you couldn’t possibly see it all in one trip.
Zion National Park
This is the perfect national park for hikers and climbers, but what makes it so iconic is the fact that Angels Landing is one of the best hiking trails in the U.S.! The Subway is another great hike that involves rappelling, so these hiking trails are not for the faint of heart.
All national parks have something unique to offer, but these are pretty iconic! Whether it’s their main attraction or just their popularity, you won’t want to miss out on visiting any of these national parks.
Check out these tips for visiting national parks too!
- Non-Hiker’s Guide to National Parks
- 5 Tips For National Park Camping
- The Best National Parks To Avoid Crowds
- Best National Parks For Families
