Favorite U.S. National Parks

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

This summer has been a tough one for many. As the recession has worn on many have lost their jobs, had to tighten their belts, and simply work harder for the same way of life. But everyone needs a holiday, and in tough times taking a break can be a bit too expensive to swallow. However, escaping to somewhere beautiful doesn't have to be difficult, expensive, or even far away. America's National Parks are both affordable and easy to visit and are bound to make a great vacation destination for the entire family. Here are some of the best National Parks America has to offer.

Zion National Park, Utah — Zion is an old Hebrew word that means place of refuge or sanctuary. The Zion Canyon has long been the sanctuary of different wildlife, including huge birds, many different types of deer and elk, and even some of the earliest human civilizations. The 15 mile long canyon dominates the landscape. If you look down from the start out to the horizon you will see what seems to be a forgotten world, one closed off to the hustle and bustle of human civilization. Zion is untouched, pure, and natural, something that’s hard to find in America these days. But what sets Zion apart from the Grand Canyon is the beautiful rock that makes it. The sedimentary rock seemingly changes colors throughout the day, and the green valley below is crawling with life. Zion also tends to be less crowded than larger more touristy National Parks like the Grand Canyon, but still presents the natural wonder that one expects from one of America's natural gems.

Yosemite National Park, California — Yosemite Valley is a long thin crevasse, bounded by dominant granite faces. Set against the base of the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite is a land lost in time, full of California evergreen, clear streams, and woody forest. It was here that the National Park idea was born, the idea that there are some bits of nature to perfect to destroy or to change. Yosemite has one of the most diverse selections of wildlife outside of Yellowstone, and is one of the few places in the world to support all different types of forest ecosystems. The dominant feature of the Yosemite Valley is Half Dome, a huge granite face rising up from the base of the valley that has amazing views of the Sierra Nevada from its peak. Yosemite is also one of the most accessible parks, just a 3 hour drive from San Francisco, it doesn't require flying to remote airports or a long drive.

Olympic National Park, Washington — One of the best parts about the Western United States is the way that the environment and ecosystem can change in a small area. Olympic National Park is home to many different types of ecosystems and environments, from temperate forests to snowcapped mountains to salty seashores. It represents of what the west has always been, a wild and uncontrolled growth of life that spans all different types of climates and environments. Olympic National Park is also a great place to take the kids for hikes, swimming, and generally exploring the world they live in. Northern Washington has great weather during the summer months and isn’t too hot or too cold for any sort of adventure.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, California — The sequoia trees in the groves in these two contiguous national parks have been around since the fall of the Romans. The greatest of these Giant Sequoias is General Grant, an enormous tree that towers 300 feet into the air. Walking along the forest floor, with these huge trees towering over you can be quite humbling. Looking up into the blue sky as you sit against the base of one of these massive trees, you can truly relax. Aside from the groves of sequoias, Kings Canyon National Park is home to huge pinnacle rock faces and dusty basins that make for beautiful scenery. The contrast of the black rock against the white snow makes for amazing photographs, so its no wonder famed photographer Ansel Adams spent a lot of time here.

Glacier National Park, Montana — What sets Glacier National Park apart from the rest of the great natural wonders in America is that soon, it won’t exist. By many estimates, Glacier National Park will no longer have glaciers by the year 2030, and many of the glaciers have already melted away. There is no better time than now to head up to Montana and see the beautiful rock monuments cut out by the slow movement of ice over a barren landscape. Glacier National Park is also home to a huge amount of wildlife that is hard to find in North America. There are many rare species of tundra wildlife that can be found in few other places. So be sure to visit this amazing National Park before it’s too late.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Yellowstone has always been the gem of America’s National Parks. It is comprised of a huge landmass, covering many different types of ecosystems and is home to a huge number of species, including many which are endangered. The park is constantly being reshaped by the flow of lava from the Yellowstone Caldera, the largest supervolcano on the North American continent. The lava flows and the different geothermal features make Yellowstone both a ticking timebomb, and a very beautiful place to visit. The constant changes that go on in the park make Yellowstone into an evolving and diverse landscape. Everyone should visit Yellowstone to simply enjoy and commemorate what this land looked like far before humans arrived, to see its serenity, its balance, and its beauty.

Photo credit: flickr cc OakleyOriginals