How’s the view?
Natural beauty abounds in these 10 national parks, each of which offer no shortage of surreal sights and gorgeous scenery. Here are some views that you should check out.
Note from 10Best: Check with each national park for closures before trying to visit. In the meantime, enjoy these virtual vistas.
Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage site located in Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park offers a stunning look into the lives of ancient Native American cultures.
Crystal clear water at Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in Montana attracts over two million visitors each year, and with the range of things to do on the gorgeous park grounds, is it any wonder? Enjoy the views from shore or paddle the rivers and lakes for a more adventurous experience.
Delicate Arch at Arches National Park
Arches National Park in Utah is best known for preserving over 2,000 sandstone arches that are downright otherworldly. Don’t visit the park without seeing the Delicate Arch, which is far and away the most prominent site.
Winding Green River at Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah (not far from the town of Moab) is especially popular for recreation. Hiking, four-wheeling, mountain biking, and backpacking are all common activities along the park’s many remote trails, while kayakers and rafters enjoy paddling along the Green River and Colorado River.
Morning Glory Pool at Yellowstone National Park
There’s tons to see and do in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park, of course, but the ethereal Morning Glory Pool is a must-visit. The iridescent, striking color of the pool is a result of bacteria that inhabit the waters.
Sunset at Grand Canyon National Park
Carved by the force of the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is truly a natural wonder. If the sheer expanse isn’t enough to dazzle, just wait for the gorgeous colors of its sunsets.
Zion Canyon at Zion National Park
Zion National Park was actually Utah’s first national park. The most prominent feature of the park is Zion Canyon, a dazzling 15-mile stretch cut through Navajo Sandstone.
Coastal scenery of Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park, located on Mount Desert Island north of Portland, Maine, was established as the first national park east of the Mississippi. Wealthy families like the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts flocked to this stunning region and actually built a lot of the infrastructure.
Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon, another jewel in Utah’s crown, is all about rock formations. Despite its name, Bryce Canyon isn’t actually a canyon, but rather a natural amphitheater.
Newfound Gap at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the pass known as Newfound Gap introduces drivers to all manner of plant life. Ascending 3,000 feet, you’ll pass through cove hardwood, pine-oak, and northern hardwood forest until you reach the evergreen spruce-fir forest at the height of the road.