Top Ten Most Visited National Parks

October 27, 2009

For nature lovers, a visit to a national park is always at the top of their high priority agendas. To appease them, here is a list of the top ten most visited national parks:

1. Great Smoky Mountains

Situated between North Carolina and Tennessee in USA, this park was founded in 1940. It is famous for its adventure activities which include wildlife watching, hiking, scenic drives and hikes. The most ideal time to visit this park would be spring or early summer.

2. Grand Canyon

Often included in the list of Seven Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon is carved like a chasm over the Colorado Plateau. It is famous for its white water rafting experience which ranks at top in the world and the shifting of sun angles which leads to the changing of colors of the rocks.

3. Yosemite

Famous for its granite cliffs which make it a paradise for rock climbers, Yosemite National Park was founded in 1890. It is also renowned for its stunning waterfalls which are fed mostly by snowmelt. The best period to visit would be early May to late June.

4. Yellowstone

It was found in 1872 thus making it the first national park of USA. Its major tourist attracting features are the hot geysers and springs. It also provides shelter to elks, bison, wolves and grizzly bears. The weather can be termed as unpredictable so be prepared for thunderstorm in the summers.

5. Olympic National Park

This one is a complete package for a tourist as it offers rain forest valleys, snow capped peaks, beaches and a huge variety of flora and fauna. The best time to visit would be early summers but the weather is variable from place to place and season to season so one should be prepared in advance.

6. Rocky Mountains

One of the highest altitude mountain chains in USA, they give shelter to beautiful lakes and streams, impressive flora and fauna and breath taking alpine wildflower meadows. It also offers a divine camping experience and a stunning hiking experience to those who love to explore. Late spring, early fall would be the best time to visit this paradise of a nature lover.

7. Zion National Park

The major attraction of this place would be the red cliffs and a quarter mile long gash in the earth which reaches nearly half mile at its deepest. A “place of refuge” as known in Hebrew, this park offers shelter to more than two hundred species of birds making it a haven for bird lovers. Often wildflowers bloom in the spring giving the park a majestic outlook. The weather is variable from place to place.

8. Grand Teton

Glacial lakes, flat grasslands and the nine rugged peaks of Teton are the major tourist attracting features of this beautiful park which was found in 1929. It was named after the poetic thoughts of a French paratrooper. The best time to visit Teton would be from May till October as it is closed rest of the year.

9. Cuyahoga Valley

Situated a short distance from Akron, it is America’s youngest national park found in 1974. Scenic beauty and a pristine river flowing through the heart of the park make it a popular tourist destination. The weather is again unpredictable making it necessary to be well equipped at any time of year.

10. Acadia National Park

It comprises of a stunning stretch of rocky shoreline and a huge forest and it was found in 1913. It also boasts of the highest mountain of U.S Atlantic Coast. The weather can be unpredictable and one can encounter rain and fog at any time.