With so many wonders to see in national parks, deciding which one to go to might be challenging. These parks were established to protect some of the world's most diverse ecosystems, breathtaking views, and stunning wildlife. National parks are a nature lover's paradise, with everything from tranquil lakes and lagoons to rock formations and the highest peaks. There are numerous ways to discover these natural treasures, including walking, trekking, kayaking, and rock climbing. Here’s a list of the top ten best national parks around the world:
10 Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, located in the United States, is a luxurious haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Over 3,000 square miles of colored pools over hot springs, lush greeneries across wide meadows, waterfalls, and erupting geysers sending torrents of scorching water into the air may be found within the park. Despite the fact that the park receives over four million visitors per year, it remains relatively uncrowded unless visitors stay at Old Faithful. Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone Lake, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and many other attractions in the park are must-sees.
9 Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, one of the most challenging natural wonders in California, spans roughly 1,200 square miles of utter awe, with majestic waterfalls, dramatic cliff faces, sequoia trees, and rock formations. El Capitan and Half Dome are the park's most iconic landmarks, with superb hiking pathways through some of the park's natural wonders.
Yosemite is accessible even to beginner hikers, as there will be tour guides in the area. Additionally, other must-visit attractions in the park include Tunnel View Look, Glacier Point, and Yosemite Valley.
8 Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, on the boundary of Montana and Canada, is known as the "Crown of the Continent" for its stunning diversity of natural beauties. Hikers will enjoy the park's variety of pathways, which range from the moderate Trail of Cedars to the strenuous Grinnell Glacier. Glacier National Park also contains over 700 lakes, mountain ranges that provide habitat for a variety of species, and numerous waterfalls. The Sun Road, St. Mary, Lake McDonald, Avalanche Lake Trail, Logan Pass, and Grinnell Glacier are among the must-see attractions.
7 Grand Canyon National Park
The word "grand" doesn't even come close to describing this national park! The canyon’s gigantic gap in northern Arizona is certainly a beautiful landscape, spanning over 277 river miles long, 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. It has been expanding for over six million years, owing to the magnificent Colorado River. The Grand Canyon is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, awe-inspiring to millions of annual visitors just to witness the impressive red and orange splendor of this natural wonder. Additionally, the must-see landmarks in the park include the Grand Canyon Village, the South Rim, and the Mather Point.
6 Serengeti National Park
The spectacular Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania, East Africa, covers 5,700 square kilometers. Thousands of creatures may be heard within the Serengeti's boundaries, from hippos splashing and hyenas giggling to elephants trampling across the safari's paths. There are around 2,000 lions in the park, as well as giraffes, monkeys, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, and other animals. The park's fauna is undoubtedly its greatest draw, but tourists must visit the Great Migration, the Seronera River Valley, Naabi Hill, Lobo Valley, and Bologonja Springs to see the park's largest creatures.
5 Jasper National Park
Referred to as one of the wildest places in Canada is the Jasper National Park, offering multicolored landscapes and is located on Alberta’s eastern border. Hikers can see a range of vistas, from the peaks of Mount Edith Cavell to the caverns of Maligne Canyon. It has also been listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites together with Banff and a few other parks. Visitors to the park can expect to see wildlife such as wolverines, moose, and caribou, as well as natural wonders such as rivers, glaciers, and mountains.
4 Zion National Park
Located in the southwestern region of Utah and is no longer as a peaceful haven as it once was in the Zion National Park. With over four million tourists annually, the park is currently among the most popular parks in Utah. Must-visit landmarks in the park include the Narrows, Angels Landing, Kalob Canyons, Canyon overlook Trail, Observation Point, Riverside Walk, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, and the Emerald Pools. Additionally, the park also offers a breathtaking view of the cloud of stars glittering in the night sky.
3 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The United States' Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which spans 335,259 acres and 150 miles of hiking trails, is home to a number of the world's most active volcanoes and is located just minutes from Hilo's southern district. The Kilauea volcano, which erupted in December 2020, producing lava basins and shooting gas clouds into the skies, was the most recent eruption in the park. Visitors can take in the scenery along Chain of Craters Road, hike the Crater Rim Trail portions, and visit the Kahuku Unit.
2 Gunung Mulu National Park
Gunung Mulu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. Because of its karst features and great biodiversity, the park is regarded for being the most researched tropical limestone region. In the 52,864-hectare park, there are seventeen vegetative zones with over 3,500 types of photosynthetic organisms. Visitors can explore cavern structures at Clearwater Cave and Sarawak Chamber, but they must be accompanied by a tour guide. Hiking paths, boat cruises, and the canopy are all popular activities in the park, in addition to the caverns.
1 Rocky Mountain National Park
For nature enthusiasts who want to skip the overcrowded Great Smoky Mountains National Park, head to Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, which covers 265, 461 acres and is located in the northern part of the state. The park is known for its highest peaks, hiking paths, glistening alpine streams, wildflower meadows, and other attractions.
After a hike up Pikes Peak, guests can indulge in handcrafted gelatos or take a stroll through the lovely village of Estes Park. Trail Ridge Road, Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, Bear Lake, and Emerald Lake Trail are among the park's other must-see attractions.