The Western United States is full of vibrant cities, rich culture, and, best of all, beautiful and diverse landscapes. In a span of a thousand miles or so, you will find ethereal red rocks, dense forests, immense deserts, and everything in between. There are over 60 national parks in the United States and 70% of them are found in the West! The best part about national parks (besides their breathtaking views and various wildlife), is that they are relatively inexpensive to visit! Plus, who doesn’t love a good road trip?
Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park is found in parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The main attraction here is Old Faithful, a large geyser which erupts every hour or so. The Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States and is the perfect spot for a photo op with its vibrant colors. Lamar Valley and Yellowstone Grand Loop Road is the perfect place to spot some wildlife, such as bison, bears, and bald eagles. The Boiling River is a spot in Yellowstone where a hot spring flows into the cold river, making it the perfect place to relax and swim around.
Grand Tetons
Grand Teton National Park is located in Northwestern Wyoming, near Yellowstone. This national park is slightly lesser known than Yellowstone, but be sure not to miss it! Phelps Lake and Jenny Lake are two popular photo spots with their calm waters framing the base of the majestic Grand Tetons. Hop on a boat tour along Snake River to unwind and take in the beautiful views. Oxbow Bend is arguably the most picturesque location in the whole park, especially at sunrise or sunset. Grand Teton’s Inspiration Point is one of the park’s most popular hikes and viewpoints.
Zion
Zion National Park is one of Southern Utah’s most popular attractions. Angels Landing is one of Zion’s and Utah’s most popular hikes, ending with a magnificent view across Zion Canyon. Explore the plateaus of Kolob Canyon or the Emerald Pools, a series of tiered ponds. For the more adventurous type, squeeze through the Narrows. The Narrows is a slot canyon hike and perfect for all types of skill levels. Zion National Park is full of adventurous hikes, scenic highways, and picturesque views.
Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon is found near Zion National Park. Bryce Canyon is known for its spire-shaped rock formations. Inspiration Point is the best place to look out over the entire canyon. Visit at sunrise or sunset to see the sun light up the beautiful rock formations. The Queens Garden and Navajo Loop trail are arguably the best hikes in Bryce Canyon. It combines Wall Street, arches, and rock formations all in one hike. The Mossy Cave trail is a short hike that leads to a small waterfall, perfect for cooling off in the hot Southern Utah weather. Take a covered wagon tour for a scenic ride around the rim of Bryce Canyon. Lastly, don’t miss getting a picture of the popular rock formation named Thor’s Hammer!
Arches
Arches National Park is found in Moab, Utah. The most popular attraction in this national park is Delicate Arch, a 52-foot freestanding natural arch. The hike to this arch is about 3 miles round trip, but worth every step, especially if you time your visit to be around sunrise or sunset. Arches Scenic Drive is a winding road lined with stunning rock formations and beautiful red rock, making it the perfect drive for rolling the windows down, blasting the music, and enjoying the ride. The Fiery Furnace hike is perfect for those looking for a little bit of a challenge, as it is ranger-led and one of Arches’ most difficult hikes. Devils Garden hike is arguably the best hike in all of Arches. Throughout this hike, you will see Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, and 5 other arches.
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is located in Arizona. There is a multitude of activities to do in the Grand Canyon, such as backpacking, rafting, hiking, camping, and much more. If you aren’t the hiking type, there are also mule rides and train rides throughout the canyon. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is the perfect place to get a great view of the canyon.
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park is located in Southern California, near Palm Springs. This national park is a protected area in California and is full of rock formations, desert landscapes, and twisted Joshua trees. Keys View is a lookout over the Coachella Valley. The Hidden Valley Nature Trail is a great trail that leads all throughout the different landscapes in this national park. Don’t miss seeing Skull Rock, a natural rock formation found in the park.
Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is found in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. El Capitan is one of Yosemite’s most popular spots. Rock climbers come from all around the world to test their skills at El Capitan. Yosemite is home to beautiful waterfalls such as Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Mist Trail, which leads to Nevada Fall. Tunnel View Outlook provides some stunning views of Yosemite, as well as Glacier and Olmstead Point. Keep an eye out for black bears and other wildlife, as Yosemite National Park is a prime location to see wildlife of all kinds.
Sequoia
Sequoia National Park is another national park found in California. This national park is known for its enormous sequoia trees. The General Sherman Tree is a giant sequoia tree located inside the park. It is known as the largest living single-stem tree on Earth. Tunnel Log, an overturn tree carved over the road, is another popular attraction. Kings Canyon Scenic Highway takes you all throughout the park and is perfect for those wanting to explore the park from the safety of their own cars. Roaring River Falls is a popular trail that has a waterfall and crystal clear waters waiting at the end.
Glacier
Glacier National Park is found in Montana. This national park is full of crystal clear lakes framed by large glaciers and towering mountains. There are too many lakes, hikes, and outlooks to even begin to describe each one, but some popular ones are Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake Overlook, Many Glacier, and Lake McDonald. Another popular activity in Glacier is its Red Bus Tours. These tours take you along the Going-to-the-Sun road, which is the one road in Glacier that will take you to the top of the park, providing visitors with first-rate views of the entire park.
National Parks are some of the United States’ best features and most popular places to visit. A trip to a nearby national park can be relatively inexpensive and provides visitors with spectacular views and unforgettable memories. Acanela Expeditions and its sister company, Wander Camp, spares travelers the pain of finding lodging or the perfect hikes and activities. Wander Camp has locations in Arches, Zion, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and many more to come. Camping in America’s national parks is the perfect activity for all types of travelers! Book a glamping adventure with Wander Camp and Acanela today!
Post written by Abby Kimball