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What is the best national park to visit?
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The "best" national park to visit is subjective and depends on individual preferences, but some parks consistently rank high in popularity and critical acclaim.

Highly-Rated National Parks in the US:

  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee)

    • Why it's popular: It has been the most-visited national park since 1944, with over 12 million visitors in 2024. It's known for its diverse plant and wildlife, misty mountain peaks, lush forests, and waterfalls. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • Things to do: Hiking to Rainbow Falls, Charlie's Bunion, or Chimney Tops, scenic drives, and wildlife spotting.

  • Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

    • Why it's popular: It's one of the most famous natural wonders globally, carved by the Colorado River. The canyon is often one mile deep and up to 18 miles wide. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    • Things to do: Witness breathtaking views, hike challenging trails, and raft the Colorado River.

  • Zion National Park (Utah)

    • Why it's popular: Features majestic cliffs, slot canyons, and iconic hikes. It's known for its dramatic geological amphitheater with multicolored sandstone hoodoos.
    • Things to do: Popular for epic canyon hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows.

  • Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)

    • Why it's popular: The world's first national park, known for its diverse ecosystem, iconic wildlife (bison, moose, elk, wolves, grizzly bears), and geothermal attractions, including hot springs, mud pots, and geysers like Old Faithful.
    • Things to do: Witness geysers, mud pots, hot springs, and spot wildlife.

  • Yosemite National Park (California)

    • Why it's popular: Offers vast valleys of granite, landmarks cut by glaciers, gushing waterfalls, flowered meadows, and giant sequoia trees. It's celebrated for iconic hiking and climbing, with formations like El Capitan and Half Dome.
    • Things to do: Iconic hikes, exploring waterfalls, and seeing giant sequoias.

  • Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

    • Why it's popular: Offers majestic mountain scenery, alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife.
    • Things to do: Hiking over 300 miles of trails and driving the scenic Trail Ridge Road.

  • Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)

    • Why it's popular: Known for its unique, bright orange hoodoos formed by erosion, offering a fantastical landscape.
    • Things to do: Hiking among the hoodoos.

Other notable National Parks in the US include:

  • Acadia National Park (Maine)
  • Olympic National Park (Washington)
  • Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
  • Glacier National Park (Montana)
  • Joshua Tree National Park (California)

Ultimately, the "best" park depends on what you're looking for in terms of activities, scenery, and desired crowd levels.

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