Summer is over and kids have all gone back to school. Although fall is here and the weather is getting cooler, that doesn’t mean the outdoor fun has to end. As a matter of fact, this is a great time to get out and enjoy America’s national parks. The crowds are much smaller, and you’ll be able to see the beautiful colors of fall. There are lots of choices, with 58 national parks across the country. Here we’ll take a closer look at 5 amazing American national parks.

Grand Canyon

Located in northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon is one of the most famous national parks in not only the US, but the entire world. It really is an amazing sight to behold. The Grand Canyon is 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep. There are a variety of options for visiting this national park, where you can camp, hike, or just enjoy the scenic overlooks.

Take a video tour of Grand Canyon NP.

Zion National Park

If you visit the Grand Canyon, you might as well make a big trip of it and see a few more amazing American national parks. Just a few hours away in southwestern Utah, you can visit the stunning Zion National Park. The name means “promised land,” and you’ll know why it was given this name as soon as you arrive. Camp out here for a few days and you can walk several trails, including the famous stretch known as “The Narrows” that criss-crosses the river.

Explore Zion NP in this 2-part video series.

Rocky Mountains

If you ever find yourself in the great American city of Denver, be sure to take a trip to the nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and beautiful views while exploring this massive park. Many types of wildlife can also be seen here. The most common are mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, yellow-bellied marmot, black bears, mountain lions and moose.

Get a glimpse of Rocky Mountain NP in this video.

Joshua Tree

This amazing national park is located just a few hours away from Los Angeles in southeast California. It get its name from the Yucca brevifolia tree, which is more commonly known as the Joshua Tree. Mormon settlers first named the tree because it reminded them of a biblical story in which Joshua raises his hands to the sky in prayer. It’s a fascinating place to explore, so camp out for a night or two to see more of it.

Take a short video tour of Joshua Tree NP.

Great Smoky Mountains

Usually called simply “the Smokies,” this national park is a mountain range that is part of the Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern United States. The name comes from the fog that forms naturally and hangs over the mountain tops. With over 9 million visitors every year, it’s the most visited national park in the country. It’s just a few hours away from nearby cities such as Nashville, Atlanta, or Asheville.

Check out the Smokies in this video.

 

There are still so many other amazing American national parks out there – Yosemite, Arches, Yellowstone, Glacier, Canyonlands, and so many more. The big cities are great, but there’s no better travel experience in the US than getting out there and exploring the national parks.

 

Have you been to any American national parks? Which ones? If not, which ones would you like to visit? Leave a comment and let us know!