National Parks USA
United States National Parks 2020
In 1872, the United States government created the first National Park by dedicating a large portion of land for its conservation. In 1916, the United States government created the National Park Service (NPS) which currently deals with 284 sites across the country, covering some 34 million hectares between National Parks, National Monuments, National Historic Sites, and State Parks o local.
Almost all National Parks have a visitor information center with rangers serving the visitor.
These are some of the main ones:
Grand Canyon National Park of the Colorado
It is in Arizona, but it is crossed by the Colorado River, which starts in the Rocky Mountains and empties into California. In its path, it sculpts these imposing cliffs in which different geological strata can be seen, seeing the work of time on the rock throughout the centuries. A spectacle of nature.
Yellowstone National Park
The Yellowstone national park is the oldest in the world, and perhaps the most famous. Spread between Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, apart from the exceptional variety of its fauna and flora, the park is of great geological interest as it contains two thirds of the planet’s geysers and more than 10,000 hot water sources.
Yosemite National Park
Another of the best known and valued national parks. East of San Francisco, this park of enormous biological importance is located. Three million visits a year to see its beautiful landscapes and hopefully some of the fauna in the area. Indelible for centuries are its giant sequoias, of enormous size and diameter.
Arches National Park
Famous for its impressive arches of red sandstone, this Utah park is a gathering place for cycling enthusiasts, although it is obviously also recommended to explore it on foot or on horseback. Its landscape full of strange rock formations can be seen in movies like “Thelma and Louise”.
Big bend
Whoever seeks absolute isolation will find it in this beautiful desert national park in Texas. The name of the park comes from the U-shaped curve that forms the Rio Grande on the border with Mexico. Big bend
Monument Valley
The isolated plateaus and the red hills surrounded by an empty and sandy desert is the characteristic image of western films. This iconic spot between Utah and Arizona is not really a valley in the conventional sense but a wide, flat landscape interrupted by the famous rock formations that rise hundreds of meters.
Everglades
In Florida lie these extensive swamps, where unique specimens of flora and fauna live. Orchids and crocodiles, live in one of the important wetlands of the planet declared by UNESCO a biosphere reserve. Everglades
Bryce Canyon
With a natural amphitheater 19 kilometers long, five wide and 240 meters deep, this geographical feature has rock needles of all colors. At night you can see more stars than in other parts of the country.
Canyonlands National Park
To the southeast of Utah, between the Green and Colorado rivers, these rocks eroded by wind and water give rise to the most picturesque geological formations. Ideal for the hiker looking for solitude and peace.
Death Valley
In the Sierra Nevada, California is this 13,518 square kilometer desert. One of the largest desert reliefs in the continental United States.
The living conditions in the place, as its name indicates, are extremely extreme. They stand out those strange rocks that move alone through the sand. Photo
Dry Tortugas National Park
Florida is the most inaccessible park in the country. A series of islands, reefs, and sandbars that are accessible only by boat or seaplane.
There is a brick fortification from 1846, which turned out to be the largest coastal fortification in North America. Dry Tortugas
Grand Teton National Park
Northwest Wyoming, in the youngest mountain range in North America, lies huge lakes that provide wonderful natural pools. Not a soul in its 485 square miles, perfect for walking or horseback riding. Grand Teton
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Belonging to the Appalachian Mountains, it is 2,000 square kilometers between Tennessee and North Carolina, and is the most visited national park in the country. Old Cherokee settlement remains abundant natural and archaeological heritage. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Located in California, it is in the Mojave and Colorado deserts. It is a magical place with all kinds of legends, which can already be seen in its unreal desert landscape. Rounded rocks, Joshua trees, abandoned gold mines, cacti and charming hotels are some of the attractions of the place, ideal for camping. Joshua Tree
Mammoth Cave National Park
200 square kilometers in Kentucky, this park has the most extensive cave system in the world. Its hundreds of kilometers of limestone passageways have not yet been fully explored and form a fascinating network of great biological and geological wealth. Inside there were pre-Columbian mummies and other archaeological treasures of great value. Mammoth Cave Natiomal park
Mesa Verde National Park
In Colorado is located this complex of 211 square kilometers that houses ruins of the Anasazi people. Built in stone, its villages have great historical interest as they are one of the few preserved monuments of the ancient North American indigenous culture. Mesa Verde
Mount Rainier National Park
Southeast of Seattle, Washington is this cluster of forests, plains, and mountains. Every year it attracts thousands of people who intend to climb Mount Rainier. For the hiker the visit from June to October is better, since in winter the snow makes access difficult. North of the mountain is the picturesque town of Enumclaw.
Olympic National Park
In Washington state, the park is located on the Olympic Peninsula washed by the Pacific Ocean. Its beaches and glacial mountains stand out, and its dense forest, a consequence of belonging to the wettest area of continental North America.
Redwood national park
It is famous for its sequoias, the largest trees in the world, up to 100 meters tall and 11 in diameter. Thousands of years old, this forest is carefully preserved for its enormous biological and ecological interest. The visitor cannot tear a leaf from the place.
Hawaii Volcanic National Park
Hawaii’s characteristic beaches with their dark sand and black rocks are of great interest to geologists. The landscapes created by the lava constitute true natural sculptures of surprising beauty
Sources
