There are 63 national parks in the United States currently, drawing millions of visitors each year. If you have underlying wanderlust as this year begins, why not take a trip to one of the many beautiful national parks? Today we’re going to be talking about some of the best national parks to visit.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone is best known for being the world’s first national park, and people visit it daily for a good reason. With 2.2 million acres to explore, stretching over three states (Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho), there’s so much to see and do. Whether it’s viewing Old Faithful or spending some time at the many lakes and hot springs, you most likely won’t see the entire park in just one sitting.

If hiking is more of your game, there are a number of trails to hike through. There’s one that goes through the hot springs of the West Thumb Geyser Basin. If you’re interested in the myriad wildlife-watching opportunities, the Lewis River Channel or Dogshead Loop may be more of your game. For a calmer vacation, though, you may want to check out Yellowstone Lake and Mammoth Hot Springs. To avoid the crowds and have a calmer vacation, April-May and September-October are the best times to go.

Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. With 1,200 square miles of awe-inspiring scenery. There are waterfalls, millennia-old Sequoia trees, gorgeous rock formations, and unique rock formations like the Half Dome and El Capitan. However, a lot of the main tourist activity takes place within the 8-square-mile part of Yosemite Valley. That’s where you’ll find the famous rock formations. If you’re interested in hiking or camping, have no fear! There are guided tours and rock climbing lessons available everywhere you look.

Glacier National Park

If you love lakes and mountains, you’ll love this place. Glacier National Park is located on the border of Canada and Montana and is a stunning place full of natural beauty. Often called the “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier National Park is a favorite among hikers, housing different trails for a variety of different skill levels. If you’re new to hiking, take it easy on the Trail of the Cedars; likewise, if you’re ready for a challenge, Grinnell Glacier is one of the best for you to go to. This park has over 700 gorgeous lakes, many waterfalls, and spans over two mountain ranges.

There’s also a significant amount of history hidden in the park. The 50 mile drive through the park, also known as the Going to the Sun Road, is a National Historic Landmark offering spectacular views of the park.

These are just a few of the many national parks you can visit. Happy traveling!