Summer is a great time to explore our United States. We have a vast array of National Parks. Some of the best are in the Western United States.
Here is my top 5 based on my personal experience traveling to these National Parks:
1. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
2. Canyonlands National Park, Utah
3. Glacier National Park, Montana
4. Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington
5. Olympic National Park, Washington
Grand Canyon National Park https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm
Grand Canyon is an incredible beauty. I prefer the North Rim versus the South Rim. The access is easier, and a lot less people to deal with.
2. Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands is north of the Grand Canyon. When you drive through the park, the vistas are incredible.
3. Glacier National Park
When it Glacier, it's a must to do the Road to the Sun. While it will be popular, it's well worth it. The views are incredible. You can either take the shuttle bus or drive the road.
4. Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier is the tallest mountain in the Cascade Mountain Range, standing at 14,411 feet. It's a dormant volcano. Mt. Rainier has more glacial ice then all the other mountains in the lower 48. You can hike the mountain as well. Lots of trails and access points.
5. Olympic National Park
The Olympic National Park goes from sea level to almost 8,000 feet. In the Olympic National Park you will find beautiful beaches, the only temperate rainforest in the lower 48. Places to visit are Kalaloch and Ruby Beach, Hoh Rain Forest, Sol Duc Hot Springs, and Hurricane Ridge.
There are so many special National Parks. My honorable mention parks:
1. Bryce Canyon, Utah
2. Crater Lake, Oregon
3. Arches, Utah
4. Mesa Verde, Colorado
5. Capital Reef, Utah
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