Zion – Utah

Zion National Park is located in southern Utah and is situated in the heart of red rock country. Like nearby Bryce National Park, Zion is a geologic wonderland. The picturesque park is made up of a convergence of three geographic zones: the Great Basin, the Mojave Desert, and the Colorado Plateau. However, unlike Bryce’s amphitheaters and hoodoos, Zion is a narrow 229 square mile park whose main feature is Zion Canyon which is a half-mile deep scar in the earth cut by the Virgin River. Due to the nature of the rock, the river has cut some extraordinary features to form the Canyon and therefore the habitats vary greatly from the top of the canyon to its floor. This makes Zion a gem for outdoor enthusiasts as the park is a diverse splendor in its geology and its flora and fauna.

Yosemite – California

Yosemite National Park is situated in the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. The park covers nearly 1,200 miles of terrain which varies in its accessibility. Also, Yosemite is opened 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and there is no reservation required to visit. Because of this, Yosemite has something for everyone. There are activities and facilities for every level of outdoor adventure visitors could want in every season.

Yellowstone – Wyoming, Montana, Idaho

Yellowstone National Park is not only the United State’s first national park, it is the world’s first national park. It covers land in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho and 2,219,789 acres. This is an area larger than the combination of Rhode Island and Delaware. Yellowstone is home to a variety of wildlife, 300 geysers and almost 300 waterfalls. Yellowstone is a place that time has left alone. It offers a glimpse into what the Wild West used to be. There is something for any visitor to explore and discover.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Reserve, Alaska

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Reserve is located in southeastern Alaska just north of the Alaskan panhandle. It is the largest national park in the United States, encompassing eleven million acres of land. The park is almost completely undeveloped, making it a dream destination for self-sufficient outdoor enthusiasts.

Wind Cave – South Dakota

Wind Cave South Dakota lies between Custer and Hot Springs. The site was the first cave to receive designation as a national park. The park consists of pine forest hills, large rock formations, rivers and the largest existing natural grassland in the US. Hundreds of thousands visit annually to enjoy the cave, picturesque scenery and wildlife.